Need personalized assistance? Your solution starts here!
Are you one of the students who are interested in studying abroad and thinking about how you can study in Germany? There are many reasons Indian students choose to study abroad, and one of them includes the fact that private colleges in India charge donations and high fees to allow admission to complete your studies. However, you can always make the right decision and decide to study abroad, and one of the most important destinations for students to study abroad is Germany.
The students who study abroad often choose to study in Germany because of the affordability it provides in the education system. But bearing the cost does not come along with the tuition fee, as students have to bear the cost of living in Germany. So, how would you determine the cost of living for Indian students to complete their studies in Germany? We will look at the complete breakdown of the cost that Indian students have to pay for their education while studying and staying in Germany.
Most public universities do not charge tuition fees to study in Germany for undergraduates and often include postgraduate programs as well. Though the majority of applicants are local residents, international students can also apply. However, international students need to pay for the semester fees and manage their monthly expenses (cost of living).
Particularly for Indian students, they need to show proof of financial support before entering the university and starting to live in the country. To do this, a “blocked account” is used by all the students to show a financial backup. This blocked account must maintain a bank balance of €11,101 for you to study abroad in Germany, which accounts for €925. This is a rough estimate of monthly living expenses in Germany, calculated by the government.
Let’s have a look at the breakdown of living expenses for Indian students in Germany to understand what kind of budget and financial considerations you should keep in mind.
The biggest expense while living in Germany is accommodation and paying the rent. While a student’s study in Germany is free of cost for tuition fees, the accommodation has to be borne by the student. There are different options for accommodation for Indian students, and they can choose to either live in a dormitory room or a separate space.
Dormitories are pretty affordable for Indian students, but they have a long line of waiting. Separate space can either be accommodated by a single person or shared with one or more people. Shared accommodation is a popular option among students since it allows them to network with other students and have a comfortable stay during their time studying in Germany.
The cost of living for Indian students in terms of accommodation would look like this:
The expense related to food and groceries depends on the eating habits of a particular student. The general range for groceries in Germany ranges from €30 to €68, depending on the city you live in. Students can cook for themselves, as it allows them to save money to also manage their finances to study in Germany efficiently. However, if you are choosing to eat out, that becomes costlier and would cost around €30 to €49 on a monthly basis for an occasional dine-out by a student.
This expense is a mandatory one, as you cannot apply for the visa application or even get enrolled in the chosen university without having proof of health insurance coverage. When you want to study in Germany, the cost for public health insurance can be €109 to €119 for a month.
The cost that you pay for the semester contribution covers many other expenses, including the cost to use public transportation. This includes free access to local buses, trams, and regional trains available within the city. A semester contribution for the university, which will allow you to travel unlimitedly through the public transportation system, costs about €24-€35 per month. If you have not paid for the semester fees and are studying in a private school or any other situation, the cost for public transportation will be around €59-€90 per month.
When Indian students study in Germany, they will require a mobile phone and an internet connection to communicate with friends and family. The shared internet connection (Wi-Fi) will cost about €14-€28 per month, while a mobile plan will cost about €7-€20 per month.
Even when all the students get online materials from the university to study in Germany, they still might need to spend money on their books and other supplies, such as textbooks, printing, software, and stationery items. The cost for books and supplies will be €19-€50 per month.
Some Indian students can choose to have a lavish and active lifestyle, so they can choose to have an expenditure on activities such as the gym, outdoor activities, or winter clothing. The general cost for leisure activities, gyms, buying clothes, and other similar items will cost you about €40-€99 per month.
Breakdown for Cost of Living in Germany for Students 2025 |
|
---|---|
Accommodation and Rent |
|
Groceries |
€30-€68/Month |
Usual Dine-Out |
€30-€49/Month |
Health Insurance |
€109-€119/Month |
Transportation (as part of semester fee) |
€24-€35/Month |
Transportation (without semester fee) |
€59-€90/Month |
Mobile Phone |
€7-€20/Month |
Internet Connection |
€14-€28/Month |
Study Materials (textbooks, software, etc.) |
€19-€50/Month |
Miscellaneous (Gym, outing, sport, etc.) |
€40-€99/Month |
As an Indian student who wants to study in Germany, you should be prepared to face the financial challenges and learn to bear the responsibilities when you are studying abroad. Here are some of the common ways you can either deflect the financial burdens or carry them along with you, as your studies will be going on in Germany:
When you choose to study in Germany, a basic understanding of the expenditure will help you have proper planning for your stay in Germany. Remember that you can save money by preparing your own meals and using student discounts at places where you can (museum, cinema, public transport). If your budget is a little tight, consider choosing a dormitory or sharing an apartment rather than using a private space for accommodation. There are part-time and full-time (on vacation) jobs available for students to earn money with work permits.
You can get in touch with a professional on board from the team of Education Vibes and get your priorities sorted and planned out before you fly out to Germany for the first time to stay.
Related Tags
Related Blogs
Cost of Living in Germany for Indian Students in 2025-26
Subclass 482 Visa Australia – Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa Guide in 2025
When will Australia Open Borders for International Students in 2025-26
UK Reduces Post Study Work Visa to 18 Months Under Graduate Route in 2025
ERP Course in Australia: Top Universities, Tuition Fees, Career Prospects & More!