Germany offers a good standard of living packed with some of the best cultural, historical and natural attractions. Students who are eager to know the cost of living in Germany should first know that it is one of the cheapest Western European countries when compared with countries like the UK, France, Belgium, etc., it has the lowest living costs.
Cost of Living in Germany for Indian Students 2024 On average, the cost of living in Germany per month is 1000 Euros for one person. This includes the expenditure of accommodation, transport, food, groceries, etc and more. However, these costs go up to 2000 Euros and as low as 600 Euros depending on the city, university location and personal expenses of an individual.
Along with benefits in affordability, Germany is also the safest location for students ranking 20th position in the Global Peace Index Report 2024. To manage these living expenses in Germany many universities and government authorities offer scholarships for international students during their study period. Students who are planning to study in Germany can read the article below to get a complete overview of the living costs.
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Cost of Living in Germany
Even though Germany is cheaper to live in than other study destinations, it is actually 202% higher than in India. As most of the public universities do not charge any tuition fees in Germany, the most crucial budget factor for students is the cost of living. As per the information from many popular statistics, the cost of living in Germany for Indian students is approximately 700 to 1,200 Euros per month.
As these costs will be based on various factors like rent, food, transport, etc., and more, here we will discuss all the details and give an estimate to plan your cost of living in Germany for international students in 2024. Check the table given below that breaks down the individual expenditure on essentials in cost of living.
Living Expenses in Germany for Indian Students 2024
Particulars | Cost per month | Cost per month in INR |
Rent or Accommodation | Euros 250 - 500 | Rs 22,700 - 45,000 |
Food or meals | Euros 200 - 300 | Rs 18,000 - 27,000 |
Transportation (public or private) | Euros 50 - 200 | Rs 4,500 - 18,000 |
Health insurance | Euros 50 - 150 | Rs 4,500 - 13,600 |
Utilities(Electricity, wifi, water, Gas) | Euros 100 - 150 | Rs 9,000 - 13,600 |
Mobile & Internet | Euros 15 - 35 | Rs 1,300 - 3,179 |
Miscellaneous | Euros 200 - 400 | Rs 18,000 - 36,300 |
Total Cost of Living in Germany | Euros 865 - 1535 | Rs 78,500 - 1,39,423 |
Here are the details of essential elements involved in the cost of living for international students. Even though the price ranges are changeable, all the varied parameters are mentioned below giving you the best understanding of the cost of living in Germany.
Accommodation Expenses in Germany
Students have the option to choose to live in the on-campus accommodation offered by the universities or else off-campus accommodation like residence halls, flat sharing, etc. It requires almost half of your living expenses will be counted towards your accommodation in Germany.
How much are the rents in Germany? Almost 300 to 500 Euros from your expenses will be required for accommodation on campus for students. Off-campus private rentals for students cost range from 500 to 1000 Euros. If you are thinking of taking a flat off-campus then the rental costs are around Euros 900 per month.
The housing prices totally depend on your location preference, the cost increases as you choose your accommodation in the city centre areas and gradually decreases in the city's outer borders.
On-Campus Accommodation in Germany: The on-campus accommodation is generally the cheaper one for international students. This is the best option to choose if you really want to reduce your cost of living in Germany. For on-campus the major benefit is that you need not pay for the utility fees for electricity, water, cleaning, etc., The bookings for on-campus accommodation are done in advance. So, students are advised to book the accommodation as soon as their German student visa is approved.
Off-Campus Accommodation in Germany: In case the university does not have any accommodation facility, there are many privately operated student halls and residencies. These collect a similar amount of money as of universities. If you choose the off-campus accommodation in Germany you need to pay the utility cost of Euros 100 to 150.
The accommodation rates vary based on the type of housing, sharing and rentals. Here are the rates of different types of accommodation available for international students in Germany.
Accommodation Expenses in Germany for International Students
Accommodation type | Cost per month (in Euros) | Cost per month (in Rs) |
Shared Room | Euros 250 - 370 | Rs 22,700 - 33,600 |
Studio room | Euros 350 - 500 | Rs 31,700 - 45,000 |
Single BHK | Euros 600 - 1000 | Rs 54,400 - 90,800 |
2 BHK Flat | Euros 900 - 1200 | Rs 81,700 - 1,08,995 |
Food costs in Germany
Food and drinks are the second major essentials in the cost of living in Germany. The universities offer meals for the students in terms of weekly, monthly and yearly meal plans. As you can find more international students, the universities serve meals of international cuisines. The average cost of a single meal for students, either on campus or at any inexpensive restaurant can cost around EUR 8 to EUR 13.
The housing and rentals offer you a separate or shared kitchen facility where you can cook your own meals. The costs for the groceries and food prices in Germany range from about Euros 150 to 250 per month. Check the table below to know the basic grocery expenses in Germany.
Grocery Costs in Germany 2024
Item | Cost (in Euros) |
Rice | 3 per Kg |
Tomatoes | 4 per kg |
Potatoes | 2 per kg |
Carrots | 1 per kg |
Milk (1 litre) | 1.8 |
Grapes | 2 for kg |
Bananas | 1.5 per kg |
Transportation Expenses in Germany
A place like Germany really needs to be travelled a lot apart from your college life. So, transportation is the next important expenditure in the cost of living in Germany. What are the transportation costs in Germany? On average transportation expenses in Germany can range from 200 to 300 per month.
Most of the students prefer public transportation and cycling. These are easy to use and convenient. The best thing about public transportation in Germany is they are punctual and suitable for daily travel.
Transportation Costs in Germany for Students
Type of Expense | City |
|
Public transportation (Monthly pass) | Euros 50 per month |
Taxi | Euros 1.50 – 2 per kilometre |
Bike rentals | Euros 150 - 200 per month |
Car insurance cost | Euros 250 per year |
Clothing Expenses in Germany
The clothing costs in Germany are quite expensive. Clothing is also one of the essential ones to be calculated in the cost of living in Germany for Indian students. The clothing costs are also reasonable and mostly cheap at the time of sale or festive discounts you can get the best deals. The cost of clothing completely depends on your personal needs and choices.
Cost of Clothing in Germany
Item | Cost |
|
Jeans | Euros 50 – 100 |
Shirt/ Top | Euros 30 – 70 |
Running Shoes | Euros 60 – 130 |
Formal Business Shoes | Euros 60 - 170 |
Health Insurance Cost in Germany
As you have to live in a foreign country, having health insurance helps you keep your health secure. It is also mandatory to take health insurance during the German student visa processing itself for the students. As the health insurance must be valid throughout the stay period in Germany it is essential to include this in our cost of living in Germany. Based on the health benefits covered in your insurance plan, the average cost of a health insurance plan can range from EUR 50 to EUR 150 per month for international students.
Mobile & Services Costs in Germany
Once you enter Germany you are required to take a German SIM. The SIMs are available in prepaid, postpaid and mobile contract options. The cost of each SIM is around 50 to 80 Euros. After the purchase, you can choose a suitable monthly or yearly plan for calls and mobile data. As most of the student accommodations offer the wifi facility a moderate-cost plan of unlimited calls and 5 to 10 GB data is enough. This can cost you around 15 to 35 Euros per month.
Miscellaneous Expenses in Germany
Other than the above mentioned details, there are many other miscellaneous costs like entertainment, personal routine or care, accessories, house essentials, etc. These expenses vary for each individual lifestyle and average cost of around 200 to 400 Euros per month. Students can spend so much money on their health, they can practise regular exercise and prevent from being sick. For exercise, the gym memberships, and sports club costs are also to be considered in the cost of living in Germany for International students.
Tips for Saving Money in Germany
If you want to reduce your cost of living in Germany, here are useful tips you can follow to save money.
Most of the German scholarships fund your living expenses rather than covering the tuition fees. So, apply for multiple scholarships in Germany. your that cover your education and living expenses in the country. Check for the DAAD Scholarships that mainly cover the cost of living in Germany by offering a monthly stipend of EUR 1000 - 2000 based on your course of study.
Clothing, especially for winter wear, is available at cheaper rates in Germany. So, grab most of the discounts during sales and festival deals.
Some universities offer discounted meals during lunch hours, check these details while applying to universities.
You can buy the “Deutschland-Ticket” through which you can travel anywhere in Germany using public transport like buses, trams, local trains, etc. This ticket costs only 49 Euros per month.
The “Fleamarkets” in Germany are great places to spend time on weekends and you can also get things at cheaper rates.
Instead of supermarkets, try to shop in the local markets in Germany. These local markets sell fresh vegetables and fruits at cheaper rates.
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