Roughly how much money do I need for my first year at a German public university?
Most German public universities charge no tuition, so your main costs are the semester contribution, accommodation, health insurance, and living expenses. For your student visa you typically need to show around EUR 11,904 in a blocked account, though Baden-Wurttemberg and TUM charge tuition, so check current figures.
Most German public universities are tuition-free for international students, but that does not mean zero cost. You should budget for a semester contribution, a blocked account for your visa, accommodation, health insurance and living expenses.
Main Costs to Plan For
| Cost item | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition in most German states | EUR 0 |
| Tuition in Baden-Wurttemberg for non-EU students | EUR 1,500 per semester (approx INR 1.63 L) |
| Tuition at Technical University of Munich for many non-EU students (check the official page for the latest figure) | EUR 2,000 to EUR 6,000 per semester (approx INR 2.17 L to 6.51 L) |
| Semester contribution | Around EUR 70 to EUR 430 per semester (approx INR 7,591 to 46,629) |
| Blocked account for the student visa | Around EUR 11,904 (approx INR 12.91 L), as of 2025 |
What These Costs Mean
- The semester contribution is a mandatory charge for the student union and administration, and it often includes a semester ticket for public transport.
- The blocked account is your own money, kept to cover rent, food and other living costs for the year.
- Professional MBA programmes and some non-consecutive Master's courses may have programme-specific fees.
My Advice
Plan your budget around the visa blocked account first, then add accommodation, insurance and the semester contribution. Amounts change, so check the official German mission and university pages for the latest figures.
How much will a month in Germany cost you?
Rent, food and travel. A real monthly budget, city by city.
More Cost & living questions
- What is the lowest undergraduate tuition fee I can expect to pay at a Canadian university for the 2026 academic year?
- How much would I pay in first-year tuition for the International MBA program at York University, Toronto?
- How much monthly rent should I expect to pay for accommodation in Austria as an international student?
- If I get an education loan, can I proceed with the application after the loan amount is clear?
- Is it better to spend 12 lakhs in India or go abroad for higher studies in Germany for a Master's?
- Does the agency provide end-to-end services including visa, loan guidance, and accommodation?
- Do I need to show living expenses in my bank account for visa purposes, and can I withdraw it after reaching Ireland?
- How do I get an education loan for an MBA abroad as an Indian student?
More Germany questions
- Other than Canada and Netherlands, are there better countries to study science and technology in Germany/Singapore?
- What are some effective online German language classes for Indian students preparing to study in Germany?
- Is Germany the best first priority country for my course and career scope for a Master's?
- Why is the dMAT subject module called Battery Science and Technology in Engineering?
- Can I target Germany, Italy, or the Netherlands for a master's in computer science without a computer science background?
- Is it possible to get a fully funded scholarship if he scores seven or above (seventy percent) in the third year in Germany?
- Does my 12th grade percentage affect my master's application in Germany/France for a Bachelor's?
- Would you suggest me to give IELTS first before starting the application process in Germany/Italy for a Master's?