Total Cost of Studying in Germany (Full Cashflow Breakdown in ₹ Lakhs)
Updated 31 August 2026 · 4 min read
Executive Summary: How Much Does it TRULY Cost?
The total 2-year cost of doing a Master's degree at a public university in Germany is ~₹22.5 Lakhs to ₹25 Lakhs total (covering 100% of living expenses, rent, food, health insurance, and administrative fees).
THE 3 PHASES OF OUTFLOW
| Phase | Amount in Euros (€) | Amount in Indian Rupees (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pre-Departure | ~€350 – €450 | ₹30,000 – ₹45,000 (Cash) |
| (In India) | ||
| 2. Year 1 Total | ~€12,500 | ~₹11.3 Lakhs |
| (Deposit + Admin) | (€11,904 Blocked Acc + Flight) | |
| 3. Year 2 Total | ~€12,000 | ~₹10.8 Lakhs |
| (Living Expenses) | (Self-funded via student work) | |
| GRAND TOTAL | ~€25,000 | ~₹22.5 Lakhs – ₹25 Lakhs |
Phase 1: Pre-Departure Out-of-Pocket Costs (In India)
Before you board the flight, you must pay small administrative fees in India. These fees are paid step-by-step over 6 months:
| Expense Item | Official Cost in ₹ INR | Recipient / Service Provider | Deep-Dive Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| APS Verification Fee | ₹18,000 | German Embassy New Delhi (CCAvenue) | APS Guide |
| IELTS Academic Exam Fee | ₹17,000 | IDP IELTS India | IELTS Guide |
| Uni-Assist Application Fees | ₹6,800 – ₹12,000 | Uni-Assist Berlin (€75 + €30/extra uni) | Uni-Assist Guide |
| Document Notary / Courier | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 | DHL / BlueDart / Local Notary | — |
| German VFS Visa Application Fee | ₹6,800 + ₹1,500 | German Embassy / VFS Service Fee | Visa Guide |
| One-Way Flight Ticket to Germany | ₹35,000 – ₹55,000 | Air India / Lufthansa / Qatar Airways | — |
| TOTAL PRE-DEPARTURE CASH | ~₹1.17 Lakhs – ₹1.35 Lakhs | Paid gradually in India over 6 months | — |
Phase 2: Year 1 Mandatory Deposits & Living Cashflow
Before booking your visa appointment at VFS, the German government requires proof of financial capability:
The Blocked Account Deposit (€11,904 / ~₹10.7 Lakhs)
You must wire €11,904 into a German Blocked Account (Blocked Account Manual).
- This money is NOT a fee. It is your child's personal bank balance.
- Upon arriving in Germany, the bank unlocks €992 (approx. ₹89,000) every month into their local checking account to pay for rent, food, and health insurance.
University Semester Contribution Fees (€300 – €800 / Year)
Public universities charge a small semester admin fee (€150 – €400 per semester) twice a year:
- What it covers: University administration, student union, and a Semester Ticket giving your child 100% free unlimited public transit (buses, trams, regional trains) across their German state!
Monthly Living Expense Breakdown (Where Does €992/Month Go?) Here is the exact monthly budget for an Indian student living in Germany:
MONTHLY STUDENT BUDGET (€992 / ₹89,000)
| Expense Category | Monthly Amount (€) | Monthly Amount (₹ INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent & Utilities | €350 – €650 | ₹31,500 – ₹58,500 (Varies city) |
| Public Health Ins | €140 – €160 | ₹12,600 – ₹14,400 (Mandatory) |
| Food & Groceries | €200 – €250 | ₹18,000 – ₹22,500 (Cooking home |
| Mobile SIM & Wifi | €20 – €30 | ₹1,800 – ₹2,700 |
| Personal / Misc | €80 – €100 | ₹7,200 – ₹9,000 |
| TOTAL MONTHLY | €850 – €1,100 | ~₹76,000 – ₹99,000 / month |
### City Rent Index: High vs. Low Cost Cities in Germany Rent is the single biggest variable in a student's monthly budget:
| City Category | Rent Range (WG / Shared Room) | Examples of University Towns | Total Monthly Living Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🔴 High Cost Tier 1 | €650 – €950 (₹58k – ₹85k) | Munich (TUM/LMU), Frankfurt, Hamburg | €1,100 – €1,300/mo |
| 🟡 Medium Cost Tier 2 | €400 – €600 (₹36k – ₹54k) | Berlin, Stuttgart, Cologne, Aachen | €900 – €1,050/mo |
| 🟢 Low Cost Tier 3 | €300 – €420 (₹27k – ₹38k) | Erlangen, Passau, Chemnitz, Deggendorf | €700 – €850/mo |
Phase 3: How Students Fund Year 2 (Part-Time Work Recovery)
Do parents need to send another ₹10.7 Lakhs for Year 2? Usually NO.
German law allows international students to work 140 full days or 280 half days per year (Part-Time Rules):
- Minimum Wage in Germany: €12.41 per hour.
- Average Student Earnings: Working 16 to 20 hours per week earns €700 to €1,100 per month.
- Working Student (Werkstudent) in Tech: IT, CS, and Engineering students often earn €14 to €18 per hour at companies like Siemens, BMW, or SAP, earning €1,000 to €1,400/month—completely self-funding Year 2 living expenses!
to see step-by-step how to open and fund an account with Expatrio, Fintiba, or Coracle.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What is the current EUR to INR exchange rate used in these calculations?
All calculations use an exchange rate of €1 = ₹90.00 INR (August 2026 average). Always keep a 5% buffer for exchange rate fluctuations.
Are there any hidden taxes on remitting money from India to Germany?
Under RBI's LRS rules, education remittances funded via bank loans have a 0.5% TCS tax rate, while self-funded transfers above ₹7 Lakhs carry a 5% TCS tax rate (which is refundable when filing Indian ITR). Read: [RBI LRS & TCS Tax Rules](/study-abroad/study-in/germany/germany-rbi-lrs-tcs-tax-rules).