Cost of Living in Germany
Cost of living in Germany for international students: Germany is a pretty accessible country in terms of living costs. However, the amount depends on the individual’s lifestyle and the city they choose to study in. The amount required for housing varies in Germany across various cities depending on the development of the cities. Approximately 800 euros/month will be required to cover the housing expenses in Germany. Accordingly, this would cost around INR 70,000/month and 950 USD/month on average.
The cost of living includes rent, health insurance, food, transportation, internet, mobile, sports/gym, and radio bill. Public universities in Germany don’t charge tuition fees. However, there will be a semester contribution with a marginal fee (average of 200-500euros). This amount covers administrative costs, campus student services, and a semester ticket. Nonetheless, the private universities do charge tuition fees (an average of 3,000-5,000euros per semester).
Rent (housing):
The renting cost depends on the city you choose to study/live in. However, the students have various options to select the way they want to live in. There are residence halls, shared apartments/rooms, single apartments/rooms, hostels.
The apartment rent would be around 860euros on average and it varies depending on the city. At the same time, residence halls/student hostels, the amount would be around 200-300euros in inexpensive cities (Passau, Chemnitz, Augsburg, Wurzburg, etc.) whereas it would be around 350-500euros in expensive cities ( Munich, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Darmstadt, etc.). In addition, for a private room, the cost would be an average of 300-450euros (inexpensive cities) and 400-700euros (expensive cities). Irrespective of the type of residence, students will mostly have a single bedroom with an independent washroom or a shared washroom and a shared kitchen.
Insurance: Health Insurance
There are two types of insurance- Public and Private
Students (including international students) in Germany will subsequently have access to Germany’s public healthcare system as it is a compulsory requirement and is a fixed law in the country. The health insurance contribution amounts to 100-120 euros/month (below 30years of age) and 150-180 euros/month ( above 30 years of age).
For private health insurance, the amount has to be deposited first and then you receive the reimbursement. The amount for private insurance starts from 40euros and can be considerably higher ( more than 100euros/month) which fluctuates radically.
Daily Expenses: Food/Meals/Groceries
One can find food and groceries at affordable prices in Germany. This includes food, vegetables, and other basic groceries. Students can shop these items from discount supermarkets or open-air markets at affordable rates. On average the grocery items would cost around 150-250 euros/month. However, most of the campuses have university cafeterias (Mensa) where the cost per meal is 3-5 euros. The cost per meal will exceed 10-20 euros outside the campus (in and around the city).
Transportation: public transport
The semester fee paid to the university simultaneously includes the semester ticket cost which permits you to unlimited use of local public transport for the entire semester. The amount would be around 200-250 euros/semester (inexpensive cities) and 300-400 euros/semester (expensive cities).
Internet/Mobile:
Students have access to free internet in student apartments. Meanwhile, the students staying in private apartments must pay a separate amount for internet which would cost 30-50 euros/month.
The amount for the mobile bill is slightly expensive in Germany. Accordingly, it would amount to an average of 8-20 euros/month based on the plan with 1-5 GB/month.
Sports/Gym/Leisure
For a single person at the gym, the amount would be around 15 euros/month. In addition, the fitness club would cost around 30 euros/month whereas the rent for sports activities would range from 15 euros to 20 euros per month. The movie ticket for a single person would cost around 11 euros/seat.
Radio Bill
Every apartment is required to pay the television and radio license fee of around 17.50 euros/month regardless of whether any TV or radio devices are being used. Students can share the amount if they are living in shared apartments or rooms.
The cost of living in Germany- Munich, and Passau
An estimated, cost of living in the city of Munich on monthly basis (expensive city)
Rent: 650 euros
Insurance: 110 euros (public)
Groceries/food: 200 euros
Transportation: 250 euros
Mobile/Internet: 60 euros
Sports/Gym: 20 euros
Radio Bill: 17.50 euros
Therefore the average cost of living in Munich will be around 1000 euros/month.
An estimated, cost of living in the city of Passau on monthly basis (inexpensive city)
Rent: 300 euros
Insurance: 110 euros (public)
Groceries/food: 150 euros
Transportation: 250 euros
Mobile/Internet: 60 euros
Sports/Gym: 20 euros
Radio Bill: 17.50 euros
Therefore the average cost of living in Passau will be around 700 euros/month.
On the whole, Germany is not as expensive as some other German countries. Therefore, a student in Germany spends around 850 euros/month on average which costs around INR 74,000/month and 1000 USD/month. At the same time, it is not that difficult to find a part-time job in Germany. However, Germany gives you the experience to enjoy a high standard of living.
