The cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable compared to other European countries. You will need around 861 euros a month to cover your living expenses in Germany as of 2021.

On average, to cover your living expenses in Germany you will need around 861 euros per month (around $1,002 US dollars) or 10,332 euros per year (around $12,024 US dollars).

The prices for food, accommodation, bills, clothes and entertainment are basically in line with the EU average. Your monthly rent is your largest expense in Germany.

If you’re planning to study and live as an international student in Germany, it’s good to know and have accurate expectations about the cost of living in Germany. This article covers all the details you need to know.

Are you a student who just received an admission letter from a university abroad and now you’re floating above the clouds from the excitement of getting to know what the future is holding for you?

But, the next moment you start thinking of how hard it will be to deal with all the responsibilities and challenges studying abroad causes. Abroad in Germany, you won’t only devote yourself to keeping track with your studies and your university grades, but you’ll also have to tackle many other issues while you’re living there, most of the time you will deal with these problems alone.

Having a better understanding of what awaits you across the border and how you can overcome the problems this whole study-abroad experience prior to your departure is to a certain degree decisive of your success.

Sounds a bit scary, right? Well, there’s absolutely no reason for your excitement to diminish. The only problem you’re having at this point is the lack of proper information to help you know what to expect while you’re living in Germany. This is what we will examine in details through this article, more specifically the cost of living in Germany.

University Tuition Fees

Even though some German universities have reintroduced tuition fees for international students, the majority of them carry free-tuition higher education. The only university payment you need to take care of as an international student in Germany is a so-called semester contribution. A fixed amount of money you pay for specific university services like bus traveling, administrative assistance, sports facilities, dining halls and such.

Although the tuition-free education in Germany alleviates a great financial burden for you, there remains the cost of living. Germany is not an expensive country to live in as a student, but if you make the effort to planning where you’re going to live and managing your expenses well, will amount to large savings.

Overall, the total cost of living in Germany depends on factors like the location where you’re settled in and what type of lifestyle you make. In industrial big cities rent, food, and clothes are more expensive. In contrast, in less-populated areas, you can expect cheaper prices for some products and services.

Choosing the ideal place to live in can save you a lot of money. Furthermore, by cutting down some extra expenses you may have had at home like regular night-outs will help for additional savings. The information below will definitely help you make exact calculations of how the cost of living in Germany and in return you’ll be able to know how to reduce it at maximum.

The triangle of the three most important issues for you as an international student are normally housing, food and traveling. Once you get confident in handling these three challenges, other problems are going to be easier to take care of.

Which region has the highest cost of living in Germany?

In general, the south of Germany is the most expensive area to live in Germany. Two of the largest cities in this part of the country, Munich and Stuttgart, are some of the most expensive cities to live in.

For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment in Stuttgart costs 846.43€ on average, while a similar apartment in the northern German city, Bremen, costs 560 € on average.

In percentage terms, this means that renting an apartment in Bremen is cheaper than in Stuttgart by over 30%.

The capital Berlin is not that expensive compared to most European capital cities or some of the biggest German cities. The highest expenditure you’re about to have in Berlin is housing rent. A small apartment in Berlin with one bedroom costs on average 795€ on average.

Other cities around Berlin in the east of Germany are mainly cheaper than their counterparts in the South. Leipzig is one of the most affordable cities to live in Germany.

Renting in Leipzig is cheaper than in Stuttgart by over 40%, in Dusseldorf cheaper by 20% than in Stuttgart, whereas prices in Stuttgart and in the biggest city in the North, Hamburg are pretty similar.

How Much Does Food Cost in Germany?

If you’re not that good in the kitchen you better start learning how to cook on your own, because eating at German restaurants won’t be a good option if you’re planning to save money. At the moment, a meal for two people at an average restaurant may cost you on average €45.

At a smaller restaurant, the price for a meal may vary between 8 to 14 euros. Followed by any casual dessert or any drink the price will surely climb higher. For example, half a liter of German domestic beer costs around 3.50 euros, as opposed to an imported beer which costs 3 euros.

If you choose to have a cappuccino instead of a beer you’ll have to pay 2.64 euros. A 0.33-liter bottle of water costs 1.77 euros and a soda costs 2.17 euros.

Transportation Costs in Germany

As mentioned above, the semester contribution payment will cover your university bus ticket. If for whatever reason you have to take another type of transportation you might appreciate knowing how much it may cost you.

By far the best way of moving from a destination to another one is using a bicycle, especially in over-crowded cities during rush hours. Among other traveling options you have surely the public transport is the cheapest.

Currently, a one-way ticket on the local public transport costs 2.00 € on average. If you’re a regular traveler on the same line, then you can purchase a monthly ticket which costs 70€ on average.

The initial taxi’s cost is averaged at 3.50€, while the kilometer varies between 1.55€ and 2.50€.  If you possess a car you should know that the prize of gasoline ranges from 1.25€ to 1.49€.

Average Utilities and Bills Cost

Besides housing rent, you will need to cover monthly bills for heating, electricity, water, and garbage. Unfortunately, the price of electricity in Germany is quite higher despite a slight decrease introduced in 2018.

Currently, in Germany, you will have to pay 29.42 cents for a kilowatt hour (CT/kWh). Given this and the other amenities’ cost on average for an apartment of 85 m2, the total monthly cost is 215.21 €.

If you live with roommates, you will, of course, share these expenses. In some cases, these bills are included in your rent, so you don’t have to pay any extras for these utilities.

Health Insurance Cost in Germany

One thing you need to be aware of is that in Germany health insurance is mandatory by law regardless of your residence status or your income. You will have to get a health insurance plan from the very first day you enter the country.

In general, there are two main types of health insurance plans in Germany

• Public health insurance
• Private health insurance

You’re free to choose any of the above plans, depending on what you need to be covered and how much you’re willing to pay for.

Other Expenses You Need To Consider

Other than the basic needs already mentioned here, there are some other expenses you have to cover while studying and living in Germany. For example, you may need to get yourself a pair of new shoes or buy some new clothes to adjust to the new season.

In Germany the quality of clothing is high, but so is the price. A pair of jeans will cost you around 50 and 100 euros, while a pair of shoes (Nike Running shoes for example) will cost you between 60 and 120 euros. For a pair of Business shoes, you will have to pay a higher price ranging between 70 and 150 euros.