Top High Cost Cities to Live in Germany
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Germany is costly for living for international students. Some of the most expensive cities to live in Germany include Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. The cost of living in these cities are increasing due to lower housing options, amenities, and overall higher costs of living.
Germany has emerged as one of the top study-abroad destinations for Indian students looking to study outside India. As per a report from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), there are about 42,997 Indian students studying in Germany. While we are aware, that public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees, but one needs to pay only have semester fees, ranging from EUR 100 to EUR 350. Studying at private universities would cost you anywhere between EUR 5,000 to EUR 20,000 annually per year. In this article, we are going to be looking at the cost of living in Germany for Indian students in top cities.
The country has taken care of the living costs in Germany for students by introducing Blocked Account Germany. What is Blocked Account Germany? A Blocked Account Germany is a controlled financial account that is required to be opened by a student looking to study in Germany.
The Blocked Account Germany amount is €11,904 Euros for one academic year. The German Blocked Account amount is decided by the government keeping the rate of inflation in mind and the amount is used to cover the living costs in Germany for international students. Candidates should note that they would be able to only withdraw a monthly amount of €992 Euros to cover the living costs in Germany.
Related Reads:
- Monthly Cost of Living in Germany for Indian Students
- Most Expensive Cities in Germany
- How to Save on Living Expenses in Germany as a Student?
Monthly Cost of Living in Germany for Indian Students
Average monthly living cost in Germany for Indian students is around €867 to €992. This may be hard to bear, so German government has introduced Blocked Account. With this a fixed amount is blocked in the account and students can withdraw to make ends meet. This is for one year only.
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What is Blocked Account Germany?
A Blocked Account Germany is a mandatory financial requirement for international students applying for a student visa. For 2025, the minimum amount is €11,904, which allows students to withdraw €992 per month. This amount is meant to cover your essential living expenses during your studies.
Living expenses in Germany for Indian students:
| Item | Average/Estimated Cost (in €) | Estimated Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Sufficient Funds Required | EUR 992 per month | INR 84,880 per month |
| Cost of Living | EUR 842 per month | INR 76,510 per month |
| Rent (including utility costs) | EUR 567 per month | INR 51,562 per month |
| Semester Fees (Public Universities) | EUR 100 to €350 | INR 9,080 to INR 31,800 |
| Tuition Fees (Private Universities) | EUR 5,000 to €20,000 per year | INR 4,55,000 to INR 18,20,000 per year |
| Food and Groceries | EUR 198 per month | INR 18,020 per month |
| Transportation (Monthly Pass) | EUR 49 or included in semester fees | INR 4,540 or included in semester fees |
| Health Insurance | EUR 120 per month | INR 10,920 per month |
| Study Materials | EUR 31 per month | INR 2,820 per month |
| Recreation and Entertainment | EUR 65 per month | INR 5,917 per month |
| Phone and Internet Bills | EUR 32 per month | INR 2,913 per month |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | EUR 144 per month | INR 13,110 per month |
Cost of Daily Essentials in Germany
Here is a list of daily essentials that a student would require during their stay and the prices of the same. This is to give a perspective on the cost of living in Germany for Indian students.
| Item | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular milk (1 liter) | €1.08 |
| Loaf of fresh white bread (500g) | €1.90 |
| White rice (1 kg) | €2.71 |
| Eggs (12 pcs) | €3.32 |
| Chicken fillets (1 kg) | €15.91 |
| Potato (1 kg) | €1.52 |
| Apples (1 kg) | €2.37 |
| Domestic beer (0.5-liter bottle) | €0.91 |
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Most Expensive Cities in Germany
Living expenses in Germany for international students would be greatly affected by the city in which they are staying. Capital cities and city centres would be more expensive as compared to suburban areas. While each location comes with its pros and cons, we are going to be looking at the most expensive cities in Germany as concluded by Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living City Ranking covering over 226 cities around the world. The list of the Most Expensive Cities in Germany are:
| Most Expensive Cities in Germany | Cost of Living City Ranking |
|---|---|
| Berlin | 31 |
| Frankfurt | 35 |
| Munich | 38 |
| Düsseldorf | 51 |
| Hamburg | 54 |
| Stuttgart | 70 |
| Nuremberg | 85 |
| Leipzig | 86 |
Let us look at the cost of living expenses in Germany for Indian students by city.
Living Cost in Germany for International Students - Munich
| Item | Average/Estimated Cost (in EUR) | Estimated Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Rooms in Private Housing (including utilities) | EUR 550 – EUR 1,000 | INR 49,800 – INR 91,000 |
| Rooms in University Housing (including utilities) | EUR 350 – EUR 480 | INR 31,800 – INR 43,600 |
| Health Insurance | EUR 80 | INR 7,260 |
| Meals | EUR 200 – EUR 250 | INR 18,200 – INR 22,750 |
| Mobile Phone | EUR 15 – EUR 30 | INR 1,365 – INR 2,730 |
| Public Transportation | EUR 33 | INR 2,970 |
source: Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences
Living Expenses in Germany for International Students - Berlin
| Rent & Utilities |
Cost per month |
|---|---|
| Room in a shared flat |
€300 - €600 euros |
| Food |
€200 - €300 euros |
| Books |
€20 - €40 euros |
| Leisure time activities |
€60 euros |
| Public transport (Semesterticket) |
€45 - €75 euros |
| Health insurance for students |
€45 - €80 euros |
| Internet / telephone |
€40 - €60 euros |
source: Berlin School of Business & Innovation
Living Cost in Germany for International Students - Hamburg
Candidates looking to live in Hamburg would have to shell out a minimum of €800 euros per month for accommodation, semester contribution, health insurance, costs for study material and personal expenses.
| Rent & Utilities | Cost |
|---|---|
| Private accommodation | €400 euros |
| Utilities | €200 euros |
| Internet / telephone | €20 - €30 euros |
| Bread (ordinary, white) | €1.5 euros |
| Milk | €1 euro |
| Water | €0.50 |
| Eggs (dozen) | €2.5 euros |
| Apples and other fruit | €3 euros per kg |
Living Expenses in Germany for International Students - Frankfurt
Candidates living in Frankfurt would have to spend around 850 € for their monthly expenses or approx. €1,000 euros if they have private accommodation.
| Rent & Utilities | Cost per month |
|---|---|
| Accommodation in a student residence | €300 - €350 euros |
| Private accommodation | €400 - €600 euros |
| Health insurance | €75 euro |
| Semester contribution (including costs for public transport in Frankfurt and surroundings) | €53 euros |
| Other expenses | €300 euros |
Living Cost in Germany for International Students - Stuttgart
| Rent & Utilities |
Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (per month) |
between approx. €350 and €500 euros |
| Health Insurance (per month) |
approx. €120 (compulsory for all students) |
| Broadcasting fee (per month) |
€18,36 (compulsory for all households in Germany) |
| Semesterticket (per semester) |
approx. €210 (for public transport) |
| Semester contribution (per semester) |
approx. €130 (exchange students) |
| Tuition fee (per semester) |
approx. €1.500 (for degree-seeking students from non-European countries) |
| Additional costs (per month) |
personal expenses like food, entertainment, sports etc. |
Source: University of Stuttgart
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Living Expenses in Germany for International Students - Leipzig
| Rent & Utilities |
Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (private accommodation) |
€544 ( city centre) |
| Rent (student accommodation) |
€510 - €615 euros |
| Monthly transport pass |
€78.90 euros |
| Internet |
€33 euros |
| A meal in an inexpensive restaurant |
€8.50 euros |
| Gym membership |
€23.70 euros |
| Cinema ticket |
€9.50 euros |
| Summer entry to Zoo Leipzig |
€22 euros |
Source: Lancaster University Leipzig
Living Cost in Germany for International Students - Nuremberg
| Rent & Utilities |
Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent, including ancillary costs |
€325 - €332 euros |
| Food |
€168 euros |
| Study materials (depending on subject) |
€20 euros |
| Leisure, culture, sports |
€61 euros |
| Travel costs (public transport and/or car) |
€94 euros |
| Health insurance, doctors, medicine |
€80 euros |
| Telecommunications |
€31 euros |
| Clothing |
€42 euros |
source: Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
How to Save on Living Expenses in Germany as a Student?
Here are a few practical tips that can help Indian students manage their living expenses better:
- Cook your own meals instead of dining out.
- Apply for scholarships and DAAD funding.
- Share accommodation to reduce rent costs.
- Opt for semester tickets for unlimited public transport.
- Buy used textbooks or access online resources.
Candidates who have queries can reach out to us in the comments below or get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for assistance with university admissions on our official website.
Related Reads:
Munich is considered the most expensive city for students, with high rent and daily living costs.
Yes, if you live modestly. The monthly withdrawal limit of €992 is usually sufficient for a student lifestyle in most German cities.
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On average, Indian students spend between €867 and €992 per month, covering rent, food, transport, and health insurance.