Cost of Living in Germany

For students

What will be the cost of living in Germany in 2022?

Germany’s cost of living is fairly affordable when compared to other European countries. However, current inflation along with Ukraine-Russia war has caused a substantial increase in cost of living. Till early 2022, as a single person you needed about 861 euros per month to live comfortably in Germany as mentioned by DAAD. However, it is expected to increase by 100 euros due to inflation. The after inflation official cost of living statistics will be out soon. People have experienced a doubling in grocery costs and a substantial increase in gas prices.

The cost of food, housing, bills, clothing, and entertainment is essentially in line with the average for the EU. In Germany, your biggest monthly expense is rent.

It’s important to understand and have realistic expectations about the cost of living in Germany if you plan to study and live there as an international student. You may get all the information you require in this article.

University Tuition Fees

The majority of German universities offer free higher education, despite the fact that some have reintroduced tuition costs for international students. Universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg have a tuition fee that varies and you can find this in course details. As an international student studying in Germany, you simply have to worry about paying a so-called semester fee. A set sum of money you pay for particular university services including transportation, office support, sports facilities, dining halls, and so on.

Living Expenses

Even though your financial load is much reduced by the tuition-free education in Germany, living expenses still need to be considered. Although it is not expensive to live in Germany as a student, if you take the time to plan where you’ll be living and manage your spending effectively, it will save your money.

The entire cost of living in Germany mostly depends on your lifestyle choices and the area where you choose to live. Rent, groceries, and clothes are more expensive in industrial big cities. In contrast, you might anticipate lower pricing for several goods and services in less crowded places.

You can save a lot of money by choosing the right neighborhood to reside in. Additionally, you can make additional savings by reducing certain extra costs you may have had at home, such as frequent nights out. You may calculate the cost of living in Germany with the aid of the information provided below, and you’ll be able to determine the best ways to do so.

Housing, food, and travel are typically the three things that matter most to you as an international student. Other issues will be simpler to handle after you gain confidence in tackling these three challenges.

Which region in Germany has the highest cost of living?

The cost of living in Germany is generally highest in the south, then the west, followed by the North and least in the East Germany. Munich and Stuttgart, two of this region’s main cities, rank among the most costly places to live. For instance, the average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in Stuttgart is estimated to be around 900€, whereas the average cost of renting a comparable flat in Bremen, in northern Germany, is 600€. In percentage terms, this indicates that Bremen offers apartment rentals at a cost that is more than 30% lower than Stuttgart’s.

Compared to other major German cities or other capital cities in Europe, Berlin is not so expensive. Your upcoming largest expense in Berlin will be your rent. In Berlin, the average cost of a small flat with one bedroom is 800€. Most eastern German cities, including those surrounding Berlin, are less expensive than their southern counterparts. One of the most affordable cities in Germany to live in is Leipzig. Rent in Leipzig is approximately 40% less expensive than in Stuttgart, while in Dusseldorf it is 20% less expensive. In contrast, prices in Stuttgart and Hamburg, the largest city in the north, are fairly comparable.

Average Rent in Germany

Finding a decent house to rent is every student’s top priority and main concern in Germany. Rent is the biggest expense you will have in Germany, thus that is why it is used as the primary indicator of how expensive a city is to live in.

Rent in the downtown area is generally more expensive, and trying to manage it on your own while on a student budget is nearly difficult. For this, we advise that you look for a roommate so that you may split the expense of renting the flat. Of course, a lot of students get roommates.

The cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city’s heart is less than €700 per month. On the other hand, a similar one-bedroom apartment in a less convenient location will run you about €500 per month. Rent will range from €1,000 to €1,500 per month if you’re seeking for a properly furnished, spacious apartment close to the city centre.

How Much Does Food Cost in Germany?

In order to save money, dining at German restaurants won’t be a good option if you’re not very skilled in the kitchen. Instead, you should start learning how to cook on your own. Currently, a dinner for single people in a typical restaurant may cost you €15-20 on average. A lunch at a smaller restaurant may cost just a bit less.

You can treat yourself to eating out occasionally, but if your finances are a worry, there are other, better solutions. Universities typically feature a cafeteria and mensa on campus that serve a variety of delicious dishes at affordable prices.

These dining halls have a flexible membership structure that enables students to load a specific amount of money onto their MensaCard and then use that card to purchase meals at a price often less than 5 euros.

It is still better for you if you have the guts to pick up some basic cooking techniques so you can prepare delicious meals because you will undoubtedly save more money this way. You might not be able to prepare a lunch that is comparable to one from a restaurant, but it is still well worth it. In Germany, the price of basic foods and beverages is not too high.

Transportation Costs in Germany

You’ll be on the move a bit as a student. Everything can become stressful, including hurrying to get to class on time, returning to your apartment, meeting a colleague across the city, and going shopping. You may save time and money by carefully choosing the kind of transportation you will employ.

Cycling is by far the most efficient way to get from one place to another, especially during rush hour in busy cities. Among your other options for transportation, public transportation is undoubtedly the least expensive. Your university bus ticket will be covered by the semester fee, as was previously specified. This you can use within the city of your university. Currently, a one-way ticket on the neighborhood public transportation system costs around 2 euros. If you frequently use the same line, you may purchase a monthly ticket for, on average, 70€. Germany also introduced a 9€ ticket during the summer months June-August 2022 that covered travel throughout Germany with all public transport except fast IC/ICE trains. Currently, launching a new ticket at a cheaper cost is being considered by the German government to alleviate the high cost of gas after inflation and promote public transportation.

Cost of Average Bills and Utilities

In addition to home rent, you will have monthly expenses for garbage, water, electricity, and heating. The price of electricity in Germany is sadly getting very expensive. The low availability of gas will show its terrible effect in the coming winters. At the moment, a kilowatt-hour in Germany costs 1000 Euro/MWh. Of course, you’ll split these costs with your roommates if you do. You may not have to pay additional fees for these utilities because in some situations, these costs are already accounted for in your rent.

Cost of Health Insurance in Germany

You should be aware that regardless of your residency status or salary, health insurance is required by law in Germany. From the moment you arrive in the country, you must purchase health insurance. In Germany, there are primarily two types of health insurance programs: Public and Private. Depending on what you need covered and how much you want to spend, you can select any of the abovementioned plans. The current premium range for students is around 120 euros per month.

Other Costs You Should Keep in mind

In addition to the fundamental necessities already listed, there are some additional costs associated with studying and living in Germany. For instance, you might need to purchase a new pair of shoes or some new clothing to get ready for the new season.

The cost of clothing in Germany is expensive, but so is its quality. You should expect to pay between 50 and 100 euros for a pair of jeans, and between 60 and 120 euros for a pair of shoes (such as Nike Running shoes). You could expect to pay between 70 and 150 euros more for a pair of business shoes.

The telephone and wifi bill can be from 10-50 euros based on your plan.

The travel within Germany and other European countries as well as a trip to your home country will add extra costs.