When you are planning to study or move to Germany as a student, certainly the first thing you need to consider is the cost of moving to Germany as a student. The cost to study in Germany has been on increase for the past few years due to inflation. Thus, you need to know these cost in advance and budget for them. While some costs will depend on your lifestyle and preferences, there are mandatory costs that you cannot avoid. In this article, you will learn about all the cost to study in Germany in 2025. See the breakdown below:
How Much Does Application For German Universities Cost?
Cost: €70
Application to most German universities are free. However, most German public universities do not accept direct application but uses a platform called Uni-assist. Uni-assist will verify your application to ensure you meet the criteria before forwarding it to the university you’ve chosen. You will pay €75 for your first verification and €30 for additional verification.
Our tip is always use Daad.de to search for universities that accept direct application. This way, you will be able to avoid paying Uni-assist verification fees.
How Much is Tuition in German Public Universities?
Cost: €0
Sixteen (16) Germany states abolished tuition fees for bachelors, masters, and PhD students at all public German universities. This does not only apply to German nationals but also international students. Simply put, you can come from Nigeria, India, US or any other country of the world and pay €0 tuition for your bachelors or masters education in Germany.
How Much is Private University Tuition in Germany?
Cost: €10,000 to €20,000
Students at a private university in Germany still has to pay tuition fees. Tuition at a private university in Germany can range from €10,000 to more than €20,000. This typically depends on the location of your university as well as the course of study. However, most of these private universities offer scholarships and financial aids to students. The benefit of private university is that it is relatively easier to get admission into a private university in Germany compared to a public university. Nevertheless, the quality of education at both public and private universities in remains the same.
How Much Does Semester Contribution Cost in Germany?
Cost: €100 to €350
Every university (higher institutions) in Germany charges semester fee. This fee is different from your tuition fee and must be paid every semester before you can receive your enrolment certificate. Semester contribution is an administrative fee and in most universities will also cover your fees for using public transportation within that city throughout the current semester.
How Much Do You Need to Proof Financial Resources to Study in Germany?
Cost: €0 to €11,904
If you are from a non-European country, you will need to prove that you can afford the cost of living and studying in Germany. There are two ways you can do. The first way is to get a relative or a friend already living and working in Germany to sign a contract (verpflichtungserklärung) that he will sponsor you throughout your study period in Germany. This will not cost you any money.
The second way to prove financial resources is to use a Blocked account (Sperrkonto). You will open an account in a German bank and deposit €11,904 in this account. The bank will then block it (lock it) and pay you €992/month into your bank account from this money until it is finished. Subsequently, you will need to deposit this amount of money or half of it every year that you are a student in order to renew your study permit.
How Does Student Accommodation Cost in Germany?
Cost: €300 to €450
Most German universities provide subsidized student accommodation for students through Studentenwerk network. The cost will generally depend on the city you live in. In cities such as Leipzig or Dessau, you can get cheaper shared accommodation around €300/month. In big cities such as Munich or Berlin, you can get shared or studio apartment for around €450/month or more. Getting student apartment is difficult and is based on first come first serve. Thus, it is recommended you apply for an accommodation while you are still in your home country. If you prefer to live in private apartment, the cost range from around €350 to €1000 for shared apartment and studio.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost for Students in Germany?
Cost: €120
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Students who are less than 30 years old and uses public health insurance such as TK or AOK generally pays around €120/month for health insurance. If you are above 30 years, you will be required to pay at least €220/month if you want to use public health insurance. You can switch to private health insurance such as Mawista to save cost. However, note that private insurances like Mawista provides limited coverage.
How Much Does Transportation Cost for Students in Germany?
Cost: €58
As a student, the cost of transportation within your city is generally included in the semester contribution you pay every semester. You will get a semester ticket that covers the cost of using public transportation within your city for that semester. However, with the introduction of the new ‘Deutschlandticket‘, you may be able to use your semester ticket to visit other cities within Germany as well.
Final Words
Overall, the cost of studying in Germany is generally low compared to other countries such as the United States, Canada or UK. Students in Germany enjoys a lot of benefits such as subsidized accommodation cost and food cost in student Mensa. When making your budget, remember that there are other costs not covered in this article such as clothing, entertainment and food. However, these costs will depend on your personal preferences.
Do you have questions about the cost of studying in German? Let us know what you think on the comment section?