Food costs for students in Germany cannot be reduced to one fixed figure, because shopping habits, housing and canteen use vary widely. Anyone who wants a realistic budget needs their own calculation and one verified reference point. This guide provides both, without quoting prices that change quickly.
Quick answer: There is no single amount that fits every student. As an official reference for total living costs, the BAföG basic need (Grundbedarf, the monthly basic allowance under the federal training assistance law) is 475 euros per month, in force since 1 August 2024. A January 2026 FAQ from the student welfare organisations confirms that the maximum rates are unchanged. For food alone, calculate from your own purchases. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points
- There is no fixed food budget that applies to all students.
- The BAföG basic need of 475 euros per month is the verified reference for total living costs, not only for food.
- A calculation based on one week of receipts is more accurate than an average figure from the internet.
- Canteen meals should be calculated separately so that the same money is not counted twice.
- Stocks and a weekly shopping list influence how much you buy.
- Check current prices yourself, because figures without a date and source are unreliable.
How much money goes on food as a student?
Food is the most variable item in a student budget. The BAföG basic need for students has been 475 euros per month since 1 August 2024. This sum is meant for the entire cost of living, not as a food budget. The BAföG office at your student welfare organisation (Studierendenwerk) is responsible for your personal funding.
| Cost item | What it depends on | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarket shopping | Household size, cooking habits, stock keeping | Compare weekly quantities and prices in your area |
| Canteen (Mensa) | Number of meals per week | Menu and prices on your Studierendenwerk website |
| Drinks and snacks | Frequency, vending machines, coffee to go | Note them for one month, then decide |
| Special spending | Guests, parties, organic products, delivery services | Track as a separate item so it stays visible |
How do you calculate your monthly food costs?
One week of receipts gives a first overview. After that, scale it up. Here is the method:
- Note every purchase of food, drinks and snacks for one week, including small amounts.
- Add up the week and divide by seven to get a daily figure.
- Multiply the daily figure by 30.4, the average number of days in a month.
- Calculate canteen meals separately: meals per week times the price of a dish, then times 4.33 weeks. The price is on your Studierendenwerk menu page.
Assumption: You spend 60 euros on shopping each week and eat in the canteen four times a week at 4.00 euros per dish. Calculation: 60 times 4.33 weeks is about 260 euros. The canteen costs 4 times 4.00 euros, which is 16 euros per week, times 4.33 weeks, about 69 euros. In total that is roughly 329 euros per month. The example shows the method. It is not a recommendation or an average.
Is cooking cheaper than eating in the canteen?
Whether cooking or the canteen costs less depends on what you actually buy together. Shopping gives you planning power: you can use stocks and turn leftovers into the next meal. The canteen saves shopping and washing-up time. Current offers and prices are published by your Studierendenwerk and change regularly. The guide Mensa im Studium: Preise, Tipps und Alternativen (in German) explains how canteen meals and alternatives fit together.
Does your housing situation matter?
Housing does not change the basic need directly, but it determines how much you cook yourself and which fixed costs apply. The BAföG shows the difference in the housing allowance: students living away from home receive 380 euros per month, students living with their parents 59 euros (status: 1 August 2024). These allowances are not a food budget, but they show how strongly the living arrangement shifts overall costs.
Where can you start at the shop?
Planning usually has more effect than single offers. A weekly list prevents impulse buys, basic stocks make you less dependent on price jumps, and leftovers can be reused. Whether a discounter, a weekly market or a full-range supermarket is cheaper for you has to be compared locally. If you prepare meals in advance, the guide Meal Prep für Studenten: Günstig und gesund vorkochen (in German) offers preparation ideas.
Check package sizes as well. Large packs are often cheaper per kilo, but they spoil before you finish them. Only count quantities you really use in a week. A short stock check in the fridge before shopping also prevents double purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BAföG basic need enough for food?
The basic need is intended for the entire cost of living, not as a food budget. Whether it covers you depends on rent, insurance, mobility and how you eat. A monthly calculation of your own shows quickly where you stand.
How current are figures on food prices?
Prices change all the time. Do not adopt figures without a date or source. Reliable sources are official statistics with a date and the prices in your own supermarket. For funding, only the rates in the official tables count.
Is a weekly plan really worth it?
A weekly plan helps mainly because it bundles purchases and reduces repeat buying. It does not guarantee low costs, but it makes spending visible. After two or three weeks you usually recognise your shopping patterns.
Do I need to calculate canteen meals separately?
If you use the canteen regularly, record it separately. That way you do not count food twice and you can see whether canteen lunches are worth it for you. Prices are published on the pages of your Studierendenwerk.
What to do now
- Keep a household book for food, drinks and snacks for one week.
- Scale the monthly figure up using the method in this guide.
- Record canteen meals separately and check current prices.
- Compare your figure with the BAföG basic need or your personal budget.
- Plan a weekly shopping list and adjust it after four weeks.
Related reading
- Meal Prep for Students: Cheap and Healthy Cooking Ahead (in German)
- Canteen at University: Prices, Tips and Alternatives (in German)
- Budget Planning as a Student: A Monthly Budget in Three Steps (in German)
- Cutting Household Costs: The Big Guide for Students (in German)
- BAföG Rates 2026/27: Figures, Allowances and Limits
Sources: BAföG basic rates until 2026, Studierendenwerke (in German, status: August 2024) and BAföG FAQ, Studierendenwerke (in German, status: January 2026).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
