Cost of Living Calculator
What will your monthly expenses be as a student in Germany? Pick a city, housing type and lifestyle — see realistic numbers.
Karlsruhe — Monthly Cost
WG / shared room · Standard · mid
| WG / shared room | 420 € |
| Food (groceries + dining out) (by lifestyle) | 295 € |
| Transport (semester / Deutschlandticket) | 63 € |
| Internet + electricity + phone | 75 € |
| Health insurance (student) | 130 € |
| Entertainment + sports (by lifestyle) | 115 € |
| Other (clothing, supplies) (by lifestyle) | 85 € |
| Total monthly | 1.183 € |
| Total yearly | 14.196 € |
Sperrkonto (Blocked Account)
Minimum yearly amount for a student visa in 2026: 14.196 € (1.183 €/month).
Numbers are estimates, sources: DAAD, Studierendenwerk, WG-Gesucht, Numbeo (2025). Real expenses vary by lifestyle and city district.
Education & Living Costs in Germany
According to the official data of DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) — German Academic Exchange Service. Germany is not expensive compared to Denmark or Switzerland, but higher than Poland or the Czech Republic.
Sperrkonto (Blocked Account)
Monthly minimum
992 €
for 2026 (BMI notice)
Yearly total
11.904 €
For visa application
Bank fee
70-150 €
One-time account opening
If you are from outside the EU or EEA, proof of financial resources is required for a student visa. Money stays blocked until you arrive in Germany, then you can withdraw up to 992 €/month. Accepted alternatives: parental income proof, recognized scholarship acceptance letter.
Tuition Fees
The vast majority of higher education institutions in Germany are state-funded. Bachelor's and most master's programs have NO tuition fee.
14 States
Free
Bachelor + most master at public universities
Baden-Württemberg
1.500 €/semester
Only non-EU bachelor + master students. PhD and special programs exempt.
Bayern
Variable
Each university sets its own for non-EU. Can be several thousand €/semester.
Private universities may charge higher fees for bachelor's. Check the type first from the university list.
Semester Contribution
All students pay a contribution of 70-430 € once per semester. This is NOT a tuition fee — it includes student services + AStA + often Semesterticket.
Example: University of Cologne 2024/25 WS — 304.25 €
- Semesterticket (transport)176,40 €
- Student services (Studierendenwerk)110,00 €
- AStA (student government)11,00 €
- Student sports1,75 €
- Faculty student council2,60 €
- Administrative fee2,50 €
DAAD 22nd Social Survey (2023)
According to DZHW's official survey, the average monthly cost of all students. Higher in practice for international students — these figures also cover Germans + those living with family.
Total average
876 €/month
The visa requires proof of 992 €/month — the state acknowledges that real cost is higher than the DAAD average.
International Student Reality
DAAD's 876 €/month average covers German students + those living with family + old rental contracts. Real cost is higher for a newly arrived international student:
| City Type | Realistic Range (€/month) |
|---|---|
| München | 1.600 – 2.200 |
| Berlin · Frankfurt | 1.300 – 1.700 |
| Stuttgart | 1.250 – 1.600 |
| Hamburg | 1.200 – 1.500 |
| Köln · Düsseldorf | 1.150 – 1.450 |
| NRW cheap (Dortmund, Bochum, Essen) | 950 – 1.250 |
| East (Leipzig, Dresden, Erfurt) | 900 – 1.150 |
The calculator above assumes a WG + student-life scenario. If you are looking for a studio or 1+1 apartment, numbers can rise by +50-120%.
Financing Options
International students do not have unlimited work permission. A side job can boost your budget but covering all expenses is hard. Applying for scholarships is critical.
Source: DAAD — Education & Living Costs · DZHW 22nd Social Survey 2023 · Auswärtiges Amt 2025
Frequently Asked Questions about Cost of Living in Germany
Monthly expenses, Sperrkonto requirement, and city-by-city comparison
How much does it cost to live in Germany as a student? ▼
For 2026 the financial proof for a student visa is €992/month, i.e. €11,904/year for 12 months. The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) sets this amount every year based on BAföG rates. Real living costs vary by city, roughly €850–€1,500 a month.
Which German cities are cheapest for students? ▼
Most affordable: Leipzig, Dresden, Magdeburg, Halle, Chemnitz (€700–900/month). Most expensive: Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf (€1,100–1,400/month). University tuition fees are zero at most public unis regardless of city.
Is the €992/month Sperrkonto amount fixed? ▼
No — it is announced every year. For 2026 the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) set €992/month for students (BAnz AT 29.08.2025 B1, checked 15.10.2026). For a language course that does not prepare for university, the German missions in Türkiye require at least €1,091/month. Check your mission before applying.
Are there hidden semester fees on top of living costs? ▼
Yes: Semesterbeitrag (semester contribution) of €100–430 depending on university. This typically includes the Semesterticket (free public transport across the federal state) and Studentenwerk services. Tuition itself is free at most public unis.
Can I work as a student to reduce costs? ▼
International students can work up to 140 working days a year without an additional permit (a day of up to 4 hours counts as half a day; during the lecture period a week of up to 20 hours can count as 2.5 days). A Werkstudent job in your field has no fixed earnings cap and builds experience aligned with your studies; €603/month is the Minijob limit (2026).