Cost of Living in Germany for Students (2026)

Germany is popular with international students because most public universities charge low or no tuition fees. But "no tuition" does not mean "cheap". Rent, health insurance and everyday costs add up, and the amount you need varies a lot between Munich and a small university town.

This guide breaks down the cost of living in Germany for students in 2026, using official and survey figures wherever possible: what the visa requires, what rent really costs, the fixed bills every student pays, and a realistic monthly budget. Prices change, so check your own city's figures before you finalise your plans.

The official benchmark: €992 per month

If you need a student visa, the German government expects you to prove that you can cover your living costs. German missions abroad currently set this at €11,904 per year, or €992 per month, which is the amount most non-EU students deposit in a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Each month, €992 is released to you.

This figure is tied to the student support (BAföG) rate and is a legal minimum for the visa, not a comfortable budget. In many cities, especially larger ones, students need more than this. Some German missions may also ask for a higher amount in individual cases, so check the instructions of the embassy or consulate handling your application.

Rent: your biggest expense

Housing is the line that decides whether your budget works.

• In the most recent large national student survey (summer 2021), students reported average rent of about €410 per month, and around one in five paid more than €500. Prices have risen since then.
• The German Student Union (Deutsches Studierendenwerk) reports that, according to the Moses Mendelssohn Institute, the average warm rent for a room in a shared flat (WG) was about €505 per month in winter semester 2025/26, and higher than the BAföG housing allowance in 70 of 88 university cities.
• A place in a student residence run by a Studierendenwerk is usually the cheapest option. At the end of 2024, the average warm rent was about €318 per month. Places are limited and waiting lists can be long, so apply as early as possible.

Remember that the advertised rent may be cold rent (Kaltmiete) without service charges. Always ask for the warm rent (Warmmiete), and budget for a deposit of up to three months' cold rent.

Health insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for students in Germany. Most students under 30 can join the statutory student health insurance at a reduced rate. In 2026, total monthly contributions including long-term care insurance are roughly €141 to €152, depending on the fund's extra contribution and whether you are over 23 and childless (which adds a small care insurance surcharge).

Some students from countries with a social security agreement may be able to use their home insurance; others, such as students over 30 or on language courses, may need private insurance. Check with a German health insurer before you enrol.

Semester contribution and tuition

Every university charges a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), typically a few hundred euros per semester. It covers student services and often includes a semester ticket for local or national transport. The amount varies by university, so check your university's website.

Tuition fees are mostly free at public universities, with important exceptions. For example, the state of Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students tuition of €1,500 per semester, and some universities elsewhere have introduced fees for international students. Private universities charge their own fees.

Other fixed monthly costs

Food and daily spending

In the 2021 survey, students spent around €200 per month on food. With price increases since then, a realistic budget for cooking at home is around €200 to €300. Student cafeterias (Mensa) offer subsidised meals, which is often cheaper than cooking for one.

Add money for study materials, clothes, hygiene products and some social life. Even a modest amount, such as €100 to €150, helps you avoid dipping into your rent money.

Sample monthly budget for a student

These are illustrative budgets. Your real numbers will depend on your city and lifestyle.

The first budget roughly matches the €992 visa benchmark. The second shows why many students in large cities work part-time or rely on additional support.

Working while studying

Many students cover part of their costs with a side job.

• Non-EU students can work 140 full days or 280 half days per year without extra approval. Working beyond that requires permission from the Federal Employment Agency and the immigration office. Student assistant jobs at universities follow special rules, but you must still inform the immigration office.
• EU/EEA and Swiss students can work like German students.
• A minijob lets you earn up to €603 per month in 2026 without regular tax and most social contributions.
• The minimum wage in 2026 is €13.90 per hour.

Working too many hours during the semester can affect your student health insurance status, so check the rules with your insurer. The DAAD also warns that it is virtually impossible to finance all your living costs through side jobs, so do not plan to rely only on a job.

How to reduce your costs

• Apply for a student residence as soon as you have your admission letter.
• Consider smaller university cities, where rent can be much lower.
• Use the Mensa and cook in bulk.
• Check whether your semester ticket covers your daily travel before buying another ticket.
• Use student discounts for software, museums, theatres and rail cards.
• Track your spending from your first week.

Our guide to saving money as an international student in Germany has many more practical tips.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need to study in Germany per month?

For a student visa, you must prove €992 per month (€11,904 per year). Realistically, many students need €950 to €1,400 per month depending on the city, with rent making the biggest difference.

Is studying in Germany free for international students?

Tuition is free at most public universities, but you still pay a semester contribution and living costs. Some states and universities charge non-EU students tuition, for example €1,500 per semester in Baden-Württemberg.

Which German cities are cheapest for students?

Smaller and eastern German university cities usually have lower rents than Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne or Berlin. Compare current rent levels in the cities you are considering.

Can I live on €992 per month in Germany?

In many smaller cities, yes, if you find affordable housing. In expensive cities it is difficult without a dorm room or additional income.

Do I have to pay the Rundfunkbeitrag as a student?

Yes, unless you receive BAföG and do not live with your parents, or qualify for another exemption. The fee is per flat, so in a shared flat it is split.

Plan your study budget before you arrive

Knowing your numbers early makes the first semester much less stressful. FlowFund helps you track spending in euros and your home currency, set savings goals for deposits and semester fees, and works in 21 languages. You can also try our free money tools or download the app for Android.

Create your free FlowFund account and build your student budget today.

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