Monthly living expenses in Germany for international students

Cost of living in cities in Germany varies depending on the state, resulting in differences in monthly living expenses. For example, if you choose to live in major cities like Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, or Munich, the housing costs will be higher compared to medium-sized and small cities. Housing in western German states is also generally more expensive than in eastern German cities. However, in major cities, your salary prospects after completing vocational training or graduating from university are typically higher. Additionally, there are often more job opportunities for part-time work in large cities.

Regardless of the state you study in, you will have certain obligatory expenses, such as:

• Cost of living in Germany (rent, food, clothing, books, phone, etc.)
• Tuition fees
• Transportation expenses (vocational students may be eligible for discounted semester tickets)
• Health insurance
• Monthly cost of living in Germany

The most significant expense is generally the rent, ranging from 250 to 400 EUR per month. In expensive major cities, the rent can be even higher. Students can choose to live in student dormitories or in shared apartments where multiple individuals rent a large apartment and share the costs (WG-Wohngemeinschaft).

If you are new to Germany, you can apply for student dormitories provided by the university (Studienwohnheim). Typically, university dormitories offer subsidized rates, and on average, you would pay around 260 euros per month, including electricity, water, internet, and weekly cleaning services.

Additional expenses apart from rent:

Laundry expenses: Depending on the dormitory, you will receive a laundry card and need to top it up with money to use the laundry machines. The average cost for each laundry cycle is around 1.5 euros.

Food expenses: Typically, food expenses range from 100 to 150 euros per month. If you can eat German food, you can have lunch at the university cafeteria (Mensa). Vietnamese students studying in Germany often prepare breakfast at home, have lunch at the Mensa, and have dinner at the library. Due to the heavy study schedule, there is usually limited time for cooking, so eating at the university is a cost-effective and practical option.

Household necessities such as toiletries, clothing, and books. Students usually enjoy discounts on these items. By presenting your student card at ticket counters, you can get reduced prices for theater tickets, museum admissions, parks, swimming pools, or other cultural attractions. If you are not a shopping addict, the average monthly expenditure on household necessities is around 50 euros.

Tuition fees

In Germany, vocational training programs, undergraduate studies, and master’s degrees are all tuition-free.

For vocational students studying in Germany, not only are there no tuition fees, but they also receive a monthly stipend of around 1000 euros.