Medical school costs add up over many years, right up to the practical year. Most students combine support from their parents, BAföG, a part-time job and sometimes a loan. This guide shows which costs arise, which funding applies and how to plan a part-time job so that it does not slow down your studies.
Short answer
Medical school can be financed through BAföG, a part-time job, support from family and, if needed, a loan. The BAföG maximum rate for students aged 25 to 29 living away from their parents is €992 a month. Training placements and internships add costs for accommodation, study materials and insurance, which you should plan for early.
Which medical school costs arise?
State universities in Germany do not charge general tuition fees. What you do pay is the semester contribution, which differs between universities, plus teaching materials, study materials and living costs. In addition there are costs for elective placements and internships, which are often located away from the university town, and in the practical year the travel and accommodation costs.
| Cost item | Note |
|---|---|
| Semester contribution | Differs between universities, due every semester |
| Accommodation | Largest item, depends on the university town |
| Textbooks and study materials | Specialist books are a fixed cost in medical school |
| Health insurance | Student insurance up to the 30th birthday, after that other rules apply (Health insurance for students over 30 (in German)) |
| Elective placements and internships | Travel and accommodation costs, sometimes without pay |
| Practical year | Allowance depends on the federal state (PJ allowance (in German)) |
How does BAföG help in medical school?
BAföG is the central state funding, provided you meet the requirements. The basic amount has been €475 a month since 1 August 2024. On top of that comes a housing allowance of €380 if you do not live with your parents, or €59 if you do. Half of the funding is an interest-free loan, the other half a grant. Repayment is capped at €10,010.
Worked example: You are 26, live alone and receive the maximum rate of €992 a month. Of this, €496 is grant and €496 is an interest-free loan. Over six years of funding at the maximum rate, the loan adds up to €35,712. You must repay at most €10,010, regardless of how much funding you receive.
Which alternatives are there besides BAföG?
If BAföG is not enough, a loan can top it up. The KfW student loan is open to students aged 18 to 44 and pays between €100 and €650 a month, without collateral and regardless of income and assets. A loan costs interest, so calculate it as a supplement and not as a basis.
Part-time job: How much makes sense?
The minijob limit is €603 a month in 2026 and €633 in 2027. With a minimum wage of €13.90 in 2026, that corresponds to roughly 43 working hours a month. As long as you stay below this limit, your earnings usually do not affect your BAföG. The minijob limit is not a BAföG rule here: It leads to the same result because the Studierendenwerk names income of up to €603 gross a month as harmless. As a working student (Werkstudent) with at most 20 hours a week during the lecture period, you are exempt from health, long-term care and unemployment insurance. Pension insurance remains compulsory.
In medical school time is tight. A job with fixed shifts can jeopardise study phases and exams. A job as a student assistant or a minijob with flexible hours often fits better.
How do I plan my financing across the course?
Plan not only the first year but the entire length of study and the practical year. Estimate a minimum monthly requirement, subtract the funding and mark the gap. Only then decide whether a part-time job, a loan or a combination is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Are there tuition fees in medical school?
State universities in Germany do not charge general tuition fees. Semester contributions are due, and their amount differs between universities.
Can I keep my BAföG while working a part-time job?
Yes, if your income stays within the allowances. According to the Studierendenwerk, your own income up to the minijob limit of €603 gross a month does not affect BAföG. In addition, bafög.de names a monthly allowance of €389 from 2026, calculated after deducting the lump sum for work-related expenses and the social security lump sum. Beyond that, allowances apply, which are checked on a case-by-case basis.
Is a loan sensible in medical school?
A loan can close a gap, but it is repaid with interest. Before you take one out, you should know the total cost, the term and when repayment starts.
How does age affect financing?
From age 30, health insurance and the BAföG calculation change. The details for this case are in the guides Studying over 30: financing with BAföG, grants and loans and Health insurance for students over 30.
Next steps
- Apply for BAföG early via BAföG Digital and have the funding period confirmed in writing.
- Create a monthly plan with accommodation, study materials, semester contribution and living costs.
- Keep the part-time job below the minijob limit, or plan it deliberately as working student employment.
- Clarify health insurance for every phase of your studies, including elective placements and the practical year.
- Take out a loan only as a supplement if BAföG and a part-time job do not close the gap.
Information, not individual advice.
Editorial team: Academycon · Last updated: October 2026
Sources: Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) as amended, BAföG rates 2024 to 2026 (Deutsches Studierendenwerk), minijob limit 2026 (§ 8 SGB IV, joint circular), minimum wage adjustment (MiLoV5), KfW student loan (information sheet). Status of sources: October 2026.
Find the online check for your financing at check.academycon.de.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information and does not replace individual advice or tax advice. The German version is authoritative.
