Tuition is free — but living costs add up to €12,000–18,000/year depending on the city. The honest numbers.
Public universities in Germany charge no tuition for most degrees. However, there is a semester fee (Semesterbeitrag) of €250–400 that covers administration and usually includes a regional transport pass.
For a student visa, you must open a blocked account (Sperrkonto) with a minimum balance — currently €11,904 for 2025 (€992/month). Providers: Expatrio, Fintiba, Coracle.
Berlin: ~€1,100/month total. Munich: ~€1,350/month. Frankfurt: ~€1,200. Hamburg: ~€1,150. Dortmund (cheapest): ~€950/month. Use our Student Budget Planner for a precise calculation by city and lifestyle.
Desi groceries cost 2–4× the Indian price. A monthly desi pantry runs €80–150. Online stores (Dookan, Jamoona) ship nationwide. Check our Grocery Finder for local store locations.
Berlin, 4 years, mixed food, one flight home per year: approximately €44,000 total (≈₹39–42 lakh). Munich: €54,000 over 4 years (≈₹48–52 lakh). Part-time work (20 hrs/week) generates €500–800/month and significantly reduces the true cost.
