It is possible to study abroad in Germany for a semester or year and maintain a budget that covers all living expenses, as well as some entertainment and travel. By saving up money prior to departure, students can have a safety net upon arriving in Germany. While some study abroad programs provide a monthly stipend for students, many do not. Approximately how much money do students need to budget per month when studying abroad in Germany?
Cost of Renting a Student Room in Germany
The cost of a room in a dormitory, known as a Wohngemeinschaft (WG), is typically about 200-250 Euro per month, but depending on the building and the city, it may be more or less. Students should budget at least 200-350 Euro for housing per month to be on the safe side.
An apartment, be it studio or shared, will cost more, and may include utilities. Students living with a host family sometimes have the expense included in the program cost, but if not, a student should contact the program advisor to obtain this information.
Cost of Food, Personal Items, and Miscellaneous Expenses
Fortunately for students on a tight budget, everyday items are fairly inexpensive in Germany. Here are some examples:
- For a full meal at the Mensa, students should budget approximately five Euro (though this price, according to several websites of German universities, is on the higher side).
- Alternatively, a bag of pasta can cost as little as 39 cents at a supermarket. Most WGs have a shared kitchen, often already equipped with cooking supplies.
- Special treats like chocolate bars or a bottle of wine cost little, so it's possible to spend little to no money for an evening hanging out with friends.
- In warm weather, there are farmers' markets in the town squares. Produce is typically reasonably priced and is comparable to that in supermarkets.
- Basic toiletries such as shampoo are available for under two Euro.
Certain pharmacy and supermarket chains can be found in most cities. It's also possible to go to a local pharmacy, or Apotheke, but this may be a bit more expensive. It may, however, be necessary to go to a local Apotheke to obtain any kind of prescription medication. If there is a particular supermarket or drugstore convenient to home or school that offers a free membership card, the student should sign up for it in order to make the most of special discounts.
Entertainment and Travel Estimates
Expenses for entertainment (dining out, theater performances, drinks, movies) and for travel vary depending on the student. A dinner at a reasonable or moderately priced restaurant typically costs around twelve to fifteen Euro. Beers on tap, typically served in a half-liter glass, go for approximately three Euro, give or take a half Euro. Student bars usually have even cheaper prices.
In Germany, a rail pass known as the BahnCard provides a 50 percent discount on tickets. A BahnCard 50 costs 118 Euro for students aged 26 and under, 230 Euro for students over 26. The card is good for one year. This expense is well worth it, as the BahnCard will pay for itself many times over. For example, a one-way ticket from Munich to Berlin costs 116 Euro without a BahnCard; with a BahnCard it is only 58 Euro.
Adding Up the Cost of Living: Monthly Budget
Using the example of a student abroad for six months, what would be the approximate total cost of living for the entire time abroad? Here is an expense-by-expense breakdown (excluding all travel-related expenses except the BahnCard):
- If housing in a WG is 250 Euro per month, the total rent paid by the student is $1500 for the full six months (assuming the student's security deposit is returned if applicable).
- One-time BahnCard cost of 118 Euro.
- Tuition per semester, sometimes covered by a study abroad program, sometimes not, is about 500 Euro. Add to that university fees, and students should allow 600-650 Euro per semester. Studis Online provides a list of fees by German state.
- Be sure to account for textbooks, or language immersion course fee.
- Allow approximately 100 Euro per month for food and personal items. For a more exact figure, keep track of spending in the first month (when the most purchases will need to be made), and use that as the absolute maximum for all months thereafter.
- Have at least 1000 Euro for startup expenses in a readily accessible home account.
Taking all of this information into account, the total cost of living for six months is in the range of four thousand Euro, excluding travel. According to Deutsche Welle and the Deutsches Studentenewerk (German Student Union), 700 Euro per month is enough to maintain a simple lifestyle.
The Deutsches Studentenwerk published a report in 2003 on the economic and social situation of students in Germany, available online in German. Sections five and six deal directly with education and living expenses.
References and Further Information
Munich's Studentenwerk has a site dedicated to student housing in Munich. Berlin's Studentenwerk also offers a similar website. In addition to Berlin and Munich, the Deutsches Studentenwerk offers a database of other cities' Studentenwerke, geared specifically toward international students. Deutsche Welle also has a site for those interested in studying in Germany.
Students with a monthly stipend should budget that according to their estimated monthly expenses, while students without a stipend should save as much of the total cost of living as possible, while searching for financial support in the form of scholarships and grants. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is a great place to start to look for funding.
Living a modest to comfortable student lifestyle in Germany is possible when informed about the cost of living prior to departure. With the right information and preparation, maintaining a budget as a student in Germany is a more manageable task.
Suzanne Swartz - During college, Suzanne spent a semester in southwest Germany. After receiving her B.A. in History and German Studies, she went back to ...
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