Budget Planner
Add up your monthly income sources + city-based expenses, set your savings goal. See instantly whether your budget is enough and by how much.
Frequently Asked Questions about Student Budget Planning
Werkstudent rules, Bafög eligibility, and pre-arrival savings
How much can I earn as a student in Germany? ▼
International students: up to 140 working days a year (Arbeitstagekonto; a day of up to 4 hours counts as half a day). As a Werkstudent (working student in your field), working up to 20 hours/week during the lecture period keeps your student social-insurance status; more hours are possible during semester breaks. Minijob earnings limit: €603/month (2026).
What is Bafög and am I eligible? ▼
Bafög is German federal student aid (loan + grant, 50/50). International students CAN qualify if they have permanent residency in Germany or specific status (refugee, EU citizen residing in Germany 5+ years). New international students from outside EU are generally not eligible.
How much should I save before coming to Germany? ▼
Recommended: first 2–3 months expenses on top of Sperrkonto = €2,500–€4,500 extra. Reason: Sperrkonto releases €992/month, but you need cash for first-week costs (deposit, Anmeldung, initial groceries, etc.) before the first release arrives.
Do I need to pay German tax on my student income? ▼
If you earn under €12,096/year (2025 limit), you owe zero income tax. Above that: progressive rates from 14%. You always file annual tax declaration as Werkstudent — you usually get back most withheld tax in the refund.
Are scholarships counted as income in budget planning? ▼
For visa: yes — scholarships count toward the €992/month financial proof. For income tax: most scholarships (DAAD, Erasmus+, Deutschlandstipendium) are tax-free. Always include them in monthly income estimates when planning.