Preparing your stay in Germany

Tuition fees

For studying in Germany, be prepared to pay for the following expenses: travel costs, basic living expenses (rent, living expenses, books and also university costs). All university students in Germany are required to pay a so-called semester contribution, the amount of which can vary depending on the university.  General tuition fees no longer exist.  Occasionally, there are other forms of tuition fees for students if they have studied for an especially long time (long-term students) or are pursuing a second degree. 

After choosing a university and after receiving the notice of admission, it is important that you submit your student visa application early enough, because visa processing can take several months. Germans love their bureaucracy :-). To do so, please contact the German embassy or the German General Consulate in your home country. Make sure your passport is valid. Furthermore, you need a proof of financial resources that verifies that you can pay for your studies in Germany. 

You will find more information under: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Infoservice/FAQ/Studium/Uebersicht.html?nn=383016

Anyone wanting to study in Germany needs health insurance – without it you won’t be able to enroll in a German university. The organization of the German health insurance system is characterized by the dual system of public health insurance (GKV) and private health insurance (PKV). It is sufficient for students coming from EU member states or from countries with whom Germany has made social insurance agreements, to furnish proof of their local health insurance contract.   

If you are under the age of 30 and have not completed 14 subject-related semesters yet, you are compulsorily insured in a statutory health insurance scheme in Germany. Or you can insure privately, for example, through us.

If you are over 30 years of age or have been studying for more than 14 subject-related semesters, you will need to obtain private insurance cover. We will be glad to help you. On our website you will find a short video that provides further information on this topic. Link to the video. For general questions on insurances, please contact us by live chat, e-mail or phone. We will be pleased to assist you.

The possibilities of accommodation are varied in Germany.  Renting your own apartment? Or rather a subleased room of a private landlord or a single room in a shared flat with other students? Or do you prefer a room in a student hall of residence in close proximity to campus? Each has advantages and disadvantages; you decide what is best for you and, of course, a bit of luck is also necessary to get exactly what you want :-).

The following table provides a brief summary of each housing option: 

Costs vary considerably depending on the town, and are merely indications. For example, rental prices in large university cities (Cologne, Munich) are higher than in smaller towns.

• Start looking for accommodation in Germany as soon as possible. In some big university towns, finding an affordable place to live is not always easy.  
• If you have any questions, contact the student services (Studentenwerk) at your university.   
• To avoid any miscalculation, inquire about additional costs such as costs for telephone, internet, heating, electricity etc). Sometimes these costs are included in the monthly rent, and sometimes not.