What a degree costs per month in Germany depends mostly on rent, food, transport and insurance. The most reliable reference points come from the legal need figures of the BAföG (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz, the federal training grant law), because they are set by law for students’ living situation. This guide explains what these figures show and what they do not show.
Kurz beantwortet: Last updated: October 2026. The official reference point is the BAföG need: 475 euros per month as the basic amount for students at universities, plus 380 euros housing allowance if you do not live with your parents (section 13 BAföG, in force since 1 August 2024). That makes 855 euros. Actual spending varies widely and cannot be given as one figure for everyone.
The Most Important Points at a Glance
- The statutory basic amount for students at universities is 475 euros per month (section 13 (1) BAföG).
- If you do not live with your parents, the housing allowance is 380 euros. If you live with them, it is 59 euros (section 13 (2) BAföG).
- The figures are a need, a benchmark for what a degree should be able to cover. They are not average spending.
- We did not find a reliable comparison by city based on official figures for this date. For rent, see the section on why costs differ.
- A draft law for 2027 provides for higher rates. It has not been passed.
What Is the BAföG Need and Why Is It a Benchmark?
The BAföG need is the sum that the state considers adequate for the living costs and housing of a student who receives support. It is set by law and not derived from surveys. That makes it a reliable starting point, but not a full average. Many students manage with less, while others need more, for example because of high rents or long journeys to campus.
The need is also a flat amount. It does not reflect every single cost. Which further costs are taken into account in an individual case is governed by the law, and the responsible office for training grants (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) gives information on that. For your own planning, the need is a point of orientation, not a complete cost plan.
Which Values Apply in 2026?
The table shows the components of the need. The values are set in law (section 13 BAföG) and have been in force since 1 August 2024. The compilation with the status of January 2026 comes from the Deutsches Studierendenwerk (German Student Services Organisation).
| Component | Amount per month | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Basic amount for students at universities | 475 euros | Law, section 13 (1) BAföG (status 2026) |
| Housing supplement, living away from parents | 380 euros | Law, section 13 (2) BAföG (status 2026) |
| Housing supplement, living with parents | 59 euros | Law, section 13 (2) BAföG (status 2026) |
| Total, living away from parents | 855 euros | Calculated from the components |
Students aged 25 and over who are not covered by family insurance also receive supplements for health and long-term care insurance. For ages 25 to 29 these are 102 and 35 euros (as of January 2026). Details are in Student Support Rate (BAföG) 2026: Amounts and Example.
What Does One Month at University Cost? A Worked Example
A monthly budget is easier to plan when you write each cost down separately. The table below is a worked example. All values are assumptions chosen for one person in a university city and are not averages. Adjust them to your own situation.
Many students underestimate costs that do not occur every month. Semester fees, books, a laptop repair or a new winter coat come irregularly. Convert them into a monthly amount, otherwise money that could have been planned is missing at the end of the semester.
| Item | Assumption per month | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rent including utilities | 480 euros | Assumption, shared flat room, varies greatly by city |
| Groceries and canteen | 220 euros | Assumption, partly canteen, partly cooking |
| Transport | 60 euros | Assumption, semester or monthly ticket |
| Mobile phone and internet | 35 euros | Assumption, often lower with a student tariff |
| Study materials, clothing, leisure | 120 euros | Assumption, collective item |
| Total | 915 euros | Sum of the assumptions |
Assumption: The example comes to 915 euros, which is above the BAföG maximum of 855 euros for students living away from home. The gap shows that the statutory benchmarks are tight in many cities. The guide to affordable student housing explains where savings are possible on rent. A budget plan for each month is covered in the German guide Budgetplanung im Studium (in German).
Why Do Costs Differ So Much?
The biggest lever is rent. Students in large cities often pay considerably more than students in smaller university towns. Food costs vary a lot with eating habits, and travel costs depend on where you live and whether you have a semester ticket. Whether you live with your parents also changes everything. That is why benchmarks are only a starting point.
Insurance is another cost that depends heavily on your personal status. Whether you are covered by family insurance, hold a student health insurance or work as a working student changes the monthly contributions. An overview is given in Student Health Insurance Costs by Age in Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BAföG need the same as what students actually spend?
No. The need is a legal benchmark, not a survey of what students spend. It is meant to secure a degree, but it is not derived from spending statistics. If you want to know actual spending, look at surveys such as the Social Survey of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk, and check the date of each survey before you rely on it.
Why are there no figures by city?
The BAföG need applies nationwide and only distinguishes between living with parents and living away from them. It does not reflect differences between cities for rents and living costs. Comparisons between cities therefore need other sources, which should be checked for method and date.
How does the 2027 reform change this?
The draft law (printed paper 21/8405, in German) provides for a basic amount of 503 euros from the winter term 2027/28 and a housing allowance of 440 euros for students living away from parents from the summer term 2027. This is a draft, not current law. For ongoing grants, higher rates usually apply only from the next funding period.
Can I use the need for my budget if I do not receive BAföG?
The need is a calculation figure of the BAföG and only applies to students who are eligible. For your own planning it works as a reference point, because it documents what the legislator considers adequate. Whether you are entitled to support is decided by the responsible office.
Where can I find current figures for my budget?
You will find rent, insurance and transport figures from the providers and authorities concerned. For students, the advice of the Studierendenwerk at your university is usually the most reliable source. Check the date of each source before you use it in your plan.
What You Can Do Now
- Write down all fixed monthly costs, and convert the costs that occur only once per semester into monthly amounts.
- Compare your total with the BAföG need of 855 euros and find out where you are above or below it.
- Check which items change with a move, a semester ticket or a student tariff.
- Keep a small reserve for unplanned costs and review the budget every semester.
Related Reading
- Affordable student housing: strategy, portals and costs
- Part-Time Jobs and Taxes for Students in Germany
- Wie viel Geld brauchst du als Student im Monat? (in German)
- Haushaltskosten senken: Der große Ratgeber für Studierende (in German)
Sources: Section 13 BAföG, need of students (law text, in German), BAföG rates up to 2026, Deutsches Studierendenwerk (January 2026, in German), Printed paper 21/8405, draft law (October 2026, in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
