Janice Lozano
Germany is a popular destination for students due to its quality of education, good infrastructure, and stable economy. The German higher education system is primarily funded by the federal government and states, making it very affordable for both local and international students. While public universities in Germany are generally tuition-free, there are some exceptions and varying costs to consider. Additionally, the country offers numerous part-time job opportunities for students, with a minimum wage of €12.82 per hour for international students pursuing 'mini jobs'. This empowers students to earn their own income and manage their expenses, fostering a sense of independence.
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What You'll Learn
Student jobs and minimum wage
Germany is a popular destination for students due to its quality education, good infrastructure, and stable economy. The country offers numerous part-time job opportunities for students, enabling them to earn while studying. The German economy is student-friendly, providing a range of job options across different sectors.
Student Jobs in Germany
Students in Germany can find employment in various sectors, including hospitality, customer service, childcare, and academics. International students, especially those who are bilingual, can pursue tutoring or foreign language teaching jobs. Other popular choices include customer service roles, such as retail staff, baristas, and call centre jobs, which offer flexible hours and regular weekend work. Students can also work as research assistants, gaining valuable experience by assisting academics and professors with research tasks.
Working Student vs. Minijob
In Germany, there are two primary employment models for students: the "Working Student" and the "Minijob." A "Working Student" job is similar to an internship, where students work in a company related to their field of study. This option provides practical experience and the potential for permanent employment after graduation. On the other hand, a "Minijob" is marginal employment where earnings do not exceed a set monthly limit. For 2025, the monthly income limit for students is €556, below which earnings are tax-free. The minimum wage for a "Minijob" is €12.82 per hour, and students are exempt from contributing to health insurance, long-term care insurance, and unemployment insurance.
Working Hours for International Students
International students from non-EU countries have different working hour restrictions compared to their EU counterparts. Non-EU international students can work for 120 full days or 240 half days per year, equivalent to 2.5 full days per week. In contrast, EU students and citizens have the same working rights, allowing them to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during semester breaks.
Scholarships and Costs
Studying in Germany comes with certain costs, including rent, health insurance, and university fees. While public universities offer free undergraduate education, there are charges per semester for enrolment, confirmation, and administration, ranging up to €250 per semester. Additionally, students may need to purchase a "Semesterticket" for public transport. Scholarships, such as the DAAD scholarships, are available for both German and international students to help fund their studies.
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Scholarships and grants
Germany is one of the most affordable Western European countries for international students in terms of living and education costs. Higher education at most public universities is almost free. However, there are still other expenses to consider besides tuition fees, such as rent, which is typically a student's largest monthly expense.
To help with these costs, there are several scholarships and grants available for students in Germany. These include:
- DAAD scholarships: These are offered to German and international students of all levels, as well as academics and researchers. DAAD scholarships do not need to be paid back and usually consist of a monthly payment (for example, €992 for students and €1,300 for doctoral/PhD students) and a flat-rate travel allowance. DAAD may also provide health, accident and personal liability insurance, as well as additional benefits like a one-off research allowance, family benefits or funds for language courses.
- Deutschlandstipendium: This scholarship is available to any student enrolled or soon to be enrolled at a partner institution, as long as they are within the standard duration of their studies. It awards €300 per month for at least two semesters (€3,600 per year), with the possibility to extend for the entire standard period of studies.
- Erasmus+ scholarships: These scholarships are for students in short-cycle, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programmes who want to participate in an exchange programme in Germany. Students from EU Member States and associated third countries are mostly eligible, but there are also opportunities for students from non-associated countries. Students receive a one-time travel grant and a monthly stipend for daily living expenses, and are exempt from tuition, registration, and examination fees.
- Government and organisation-funded programmes: These scholarships are offered by the German government and other organisations to make higher education more accessible for international students.
In addition to scholarships and grants, international students in Germany can also work part-time to supplement their income. Students from the EU have the same working rights as German citizens, while international students from non-EU countries can work for 120 full days or 240 half days per year. The average working student salary in Germany is €15 per hour, and there are many opportunities for student jobs in fields like hospitality, events and customer service.
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Tuition fees for non-EU citizens
Germany is a popular destination for students due to its quality education, good infrastructure, and stable economy. The country offers a wide range of part-time job opportunities for students to earn a living while studying.
In Germany, students from Germany, the European Economic Area (EEA), and the European Union (EU) can study at public universities for free. However, for non-EU citizens, there are tuition fees at certain universities. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is one of the few public universities that charge tuition fees for international students. The tuition fees for international students from third countries are 3,000 euros per semester. Ukrainian students are generally subject to tuition fees but can apply for a waiver if they can prove residency in Ukraine on or after February 24, 2022, and left due to the war. Students from Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom are also subject to different rules due to intergovernmental agreements.
Baden-Württemberg, in southwest Germany, is one of the two German federal states where students from outside the EU are required to pay tuition fees at public universities. The tuition fees in Baden-Württemberg are set at 1,500 euros per semester or 3,000 euros per year. Saxon universities can also decide to charge tuition fees from non-EU citizens. However, it is important to note that not all universities in these states charge tuition fees, and there are still many universities in Germany where education is free for all students.
There are various scholarships available for international students in Germany, such as the Erasmus+ Scholarships, Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarships, Expatrio Scholarship 2025, and Humboldt Research Fellowship. These scholarships can cover tuition fees and provide monthly stipends for living expenses. Additionally, students can work part-time to earn money, with a monthly income limit of 556 euros, below which earnings are tax-free.
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Student visa requirements
If you are a citizen of the following countries, you do not need a visa to study in Germany:
- EU
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Andorra
- Brazil
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Monaco
- San Marino
- Taiwan
However, you will need to register at the local Residents' Registration Office and the Aliens' Registration Office (Ausländeramt) to obtain a residence permit within two weeks of arrival in the country.
If you are from Taiwan, you must have a passport that includes an identity card number.
If you are from any other country, you will require a student visa for Germany. The visa costs €60 (US$74), but there are also fee reductions or waivers for Schengen visas. You should apply at least three months before moving to the country by contacting the local German embassy or consulate in your home country.
To apply for a German student visa, you will need:
- Proof of German language proficiency or proof that you intend to attend a language course in Germany (if studying in German).
- Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself while living in Germany. The amount varies from source to source, with some stating €8,700 per year (US$10,250-US$10,680), while others state €11,904 per year.
- Health insurance.
- A declaration of authenticity of documents submitted.
- Depending on the embassy, you may also need to show proof that you don't have a criminal record.
Once in Germany, you will have to register with the local Alien Registration Office (Bürgeramt or Einwohnermeldeamt) within two weeks of arrival and apply for a residence permit for study purposes. For courses taught in German, international students need to provide a TestDaf or DSH score, while for English-taught courses, a TOEFL or IELTS score is required.
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Living costs and expenses
The cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable compared to some other major European countries. However, the cost of living varies depending on location, with bigger cities like Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt being more expensive than smaller cities like Essen or Saarbrucken. The average monthly living expense for an international student in Germany is 867 euros, although estimates vary. Students applying for a visa to study in Germany must prove they have at least 992 euros per month, which is also the bare minimum a single person needs to cover living expenses.
Rent is typically the biggest expense for students. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city ranges from 600 to 1,500 euros per month, while a bigger, fully furnished place in the same area can cost anywhere from 1,100 to 2,800 euros per month. Outside of city centers, rent prices range from 430 to 1,218 euros per month. Student dormitories are the most popular accommodation choice for international students, with an average cost of 266.83 euros per month. Rooms in shared apartments are also a popular option, with rents ranging from 300 to 650 euros per month. On rare occasions, students may rent an entire place, paying an average of 828 euros per month for a one-bedroom apartment.
Food is another significant expense for students. The cost of food in Germany is slightly above the EU average, with students spending on average around 154 to 198 euros per month on food and groceries. Eating at university canteens or cooking at home can help students save money on food costs. Additionally, public universities in Germany charge semester fees, which range from 100 to 400 euros and cover student services, student government, and sometimes include a semester ticket for local public transportation. A monthly public transportation pass costs around 49 euros.
Other expenses for students in Germany include health insurance, which is mandatory and costs around 96 to 142 euros per month, study materials at about 31 euros per month, and miscellaneous expenses of approximately 144 euros per month. To fund their studies, students can apply for scholarships offered by German universities, federal government scholarships, or seek funding from political, business-linked, or religious organizations. Additionally, international students can use blocked accounts to fund their studies, which require transferring money to an account that cannot be accessed until the student enters the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Generally, there are no tuition fees at public universities in Germany. However, there are some exceptions. For example, the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg introduced tuition fees for non-EU international students in 2017. The Technical University of Munich (TUM) also charges fees to non-EU citizens. These fees can range from €4,000 to €6,000 per semester. Private universities in Germany also charge fees, which can be between €5,000 to €20,000 per year.
Yes, there are scholarships available for both German and international students at all levels, including academics and researchers. You can search for scholarships based on keywords, study level, country of origin and subject. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) also provides information on scholarships to study in Germany.
Students in Germany can earn up to €556 per month without paying taxes. The minimum wage for international students pursuing a "mini job" is €12.82 per hour. The average working student salary in Germany is €15 per hour, not including bonuses or tips.
Students in Germany spend an average of €410 per month on housing, €198 on food and groceries, €49 on a public transportation pass, €142 on health insurance, €31 on study materials, and €144 on miscellaneous expenses. To get a student visa or residence permit, you need to show proof of €11,904 per year or €992 per month to cover living costs.
