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Costs and Budgeting

Financial considerations are a key factor when planning your stay in Germany. We provide helpful information to help you estimate potential costs and plan your budget effectively. Please note that these figures are intended as a general guide and should not be taken as exact amounts.

Questions and Answers

It’s important to sort out how you will finance your stay in Germany before you arrive. This will give you enough time to prepare everything you need. For example, if you require a residence permit, you must prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 AufenthG).

There are various ways to finance your stay. In addition to personal savings and support from your family, your stay can also be funded through scholarships and, in many cases, side jobs.

When you arrive, you should have some cash with you, as you can often only pay with cash (e.g., on the Airliner bus). You should also be aware that in Germany, paying with a debit or credit card is not always possible.

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“Knowing how to budget properly can make the difference between success and failure when studying abroad. Managing finances is a very important challenge that international students have to master before they start a new, exciting chapter of their lives in Darmstadt.”

Ons, international student at TU Darmstadt

The following costs are provided for guidance only. These figures are estimates and can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle, personal circumstances, and factors such as your accommodation.
Semester fees Current registration fees
Accommodation (room in a shared apartment) €350 – €650 per month
Food costs €120 – €300 per month
Internet €10 – €50 per month
Phone contract/ Prepaid SIM card €10 – €40 per month
Radio licence fee * €18,36 per month
If applicable, statutory health insurance (incl. long-term care insurance) around €130 per month
Learning materials €10 – €50 per month
The cost of living estimated by the Federal Education Funding Programme (BAföG) office is approximately €992 per month.
* “ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice” is a joint organisation of Germany's public broadcasting institutions (radio and TV). Everyone who registers in Germany is required to pay these fees (Rundfunkbeitrag) even if you are not a German citizen.
Airport Transfer Heag Airliner Bus (Frankfurt a.M. > Darmstadt)
Please note that you can also travel with regular public transport (RMV trains and Buses) to Darmstadt. 		Approx. €10 (with semester ticket etc. surcharge ticket for approx. € 3,80)
Hostel/ Hotel (per night) Approx. €35-100
Deposit for the room Approx. 1 -3 months' rent
Public transport (if semester ticket available yet) €5-20 per day
Further costs
  • Room furnishing
  • Bedding
  • Replacement costs (e.g. for kitchen)

Disclaimer

The information on this website is not legally binding.

Cash Declaration

Please note the maximum amount of cash you can bring into Germany. If you exceed this limit by bringing more cash, you will need to declare it to customs!