Students who watch every euro often lose track of the many small costs. This guide shows which expenses you can really influence, where exemptions are possible and why a list of saving tips is not enough on its own. Every figure is given with its date and source.
Short answer: Last updated: October 2026. The biggest levers are housing, food and transport, because they shape the monthly budget. For the broadcasting contribution (Rundfunkbeitrag), the amount since 1 January 2026 is 18.36 euros per month and per flat. Students who receive BAföG and do not live with their parents can apply for an exemption. Every measure should be checked for its benefit before you act.
The Most Important Points at a Glance
- The largest costs for students are rent, food and transport. A change there has the strongest effect.
- The broadcasting contribution is 18.36 euros per month per flat (status 1 January 2026). An exemption is possible for certain BAföG recipients.
- Used goods, swapping and borrowing reduce purchases that would otherwise come up irregularly.
- Discounts are only worth it if you need the product anyway. A long contract can cost more than the discount saves.
- If you cut insurance or other contracts, check benefits and notice periods before you cancel anything.
Where Does Saving Make the Biggest Difference?
The question is less where you can save a little everywhere, and more where a single item is large enough for a change to be noticed. For rent and type of housing, the choice of flat can decide several hundred euros per year. The guide to affordable student housing is the starting point, and the German guide on finding cheap flats is also available (in German).
For food, the main question is how often you cook yourself and how you use the canteen. The German guide Mensa im Studium (in German) lists alternatives. For transport, check semester and monthly tickets. Whether a ticket is cheaper than single fares depends on your route and how often you travel.
A monthly budget shows which items tie up the most money. If you note your spending for three months, you will spot patterns that no list of tips can reveal. The German guide Budgetplanung im Studium (in German) explains how to build an overview in three steps.
Which Fixed Costs Can You Check?
Fixed costs continue whether you spend a lot or a little, so a one-time check is worthwhile. The table below names one item with a documented amount and a possible exemption. Other fixed costs, such as a mobile contract or insurance, depend on the individual case and are therefore not listed with a general amount.
| Item | Amount and status | What you can check |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcasting contribution (Rundfunkbeitrag) | 18.36 euros per month per flat (status 1 January 2026) | Exemption for BAföG recipients who do not live with their parents. Apply to the Beitragsservice and enclose the proof. |
| Service charges for rent | No general figure, depends on the flat | Check the annual statement from the landlord and adjust the advance payment if it differs strongly. |
| Mobile and internet contract | Depends on the provider | Compare term, service and price once the promotion has ended. |
The contribution is charged per flat, regardless of how many people live there. Students have special rules. If you receive BAföG and do not live with your parents, you can apply for an exemption. The Beitragsservice (the contribution service of the public broadcasters) names the documents you need.
Used Goods, Swapping and Borrowing
Many purchases at university are needed for only one phase: textbooks, a laptop, furniture, winter clothes. Used goods can save a fair amount here without giving up quality. Pay attention to warranty, condition and return options. The German guide Gebraucht statt neu: Clever sparen im Studium (in German) describes ways and risks.
Borrowing works in a similar way. Libraries, university lending services and swap groups offer books, tools or equipment without a purchase. To find out what is available at your university, ask the university library or the Studierendenwerk directly.
Using Discounts Carefully
Student discounts are offered by many providers, for example for software, publishers or services. A discount only helps if you need the product anyway. Otherwise it becomes a reason to buy rather than a saving. Also check contract terms and notice periods, because a long commitment can quickly use up the advantage.
An overview of typical offers and what to check is in the German guide Studentenrabatte (in German). You usually have to prove your student status, and the rules differ from provider to provider.
When Saving Can Undermine Your Protection
Insurance calls for particular care. Cancelling a policy can create a gap in cover that becomes expensive in an emergency. Before you cancel or switch, review the benefits, the deadlines and whether you are otherwise covered. The decision should be well prepared and not based only on the lowest premium.
The German guide Lohnt sich der Wechsel in die PKV im Studium? (in German) shows how to calculate such a decision over several years. A comparison of private and statutory health insurance is given in PKV oder gesetzlich als Student (in German).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I realistically save per month?
No general sum can be named, because it depends on where you live, your situation and your contracts. It is more realistic to check individual items and see the changes in your monthly budget. A figure should only be stated once it comes from your own records.
Is it really worth comparing providers?
Yes, especially for contracts with fixed terms and for items you pay regularly. A comparison only helps if you check both service and price. The cheapest tariff is not automatically the right one if it leaves out important benefits.
Do I have to apply for BAföG to get an exemption from the broadcasting contribution?
An exemption requires proof, for example a BAföG notice. You apply to the Beitragsservice, which names the exact documents.
Are discounts and vouchers the same thing?
No. A student discount is a lasting offer for a group, while a voucher is usually one-time and tied to a period. Both should be checked by the same standards: do you need the product, and which conditions apply?
How do I know that a saving tip is not useful for me?
A tip does not help if it concerns an item you hardly pay for, or if it raises costs somewhere else. An example is buying an expensive device with a discount that you do not need. Start with your list of expenses and look there for real levers.
What You Can Do Now
- Note all your spending for three months, including the small items, and sort it by category.
- Check your fixed costs, such as the broadcasting contribution, contracts and service charges, for exemptions and deadlines.
- Choose the largest item and compare offers there before you cancel anything.
- After one semester, check whether the changes show up in your monthly budget.
Related Reading
- Affordable student housing: strategy, portals and costs
- Student Support Rate (BAföG) 2026: Amounts and Example
- Strom sparen im Studium: Energie und Nebenkosten senken (in German)
- Semester Ticket and Germany Ticket: What Students Should Know (in German)
Sources: Information for students, Beitragsservice of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio (January 2026, in German), Section 13 BAföG, need of students (law text, in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
