What are the average monthly living costs and proof of funds needed for an MS degree in Germany?

For your MS degree in Germany, you need to prove access to 11,904 euros a year through a blocked account before your visa is approved. Your actual monthly spending will typically land between 950 and 1,250 euros, depending on your city and accommodation choice.

Proof of Funds Versus Real Monthly Costs

Extra Costs Beyond the Blocked Account

• Budget a mandatory semester contribution of 150 to 350 euros for administrative costs, even though tuition itself is free at public universities.
• If you enroll at a private university, or study in Baden-Wurttemberg, you will need to prove tuition funds on top of the 11,904 euro living requirement.
• Mandatory health insurance runs about 140 to 150 euros a month; public statutory insurers like TK or AOK are the standard choice for students under 30.
• Your university semester ticket often covers public transport entirely, so check that before budgeting separately for it.

My Advice

Open your blocked account through Expatrio or Fintiba at least two months before your visa appointment, since processing delays here are one of the most common reasons students miss their intake date. Pick a mid-size city like Leipzig or Dresden over Munich if your budget is tight, since the rent difference alone can save you several hundred euros a month without compromising the quality of your degree.