Living in Germany – Postgraduate Guide

One of the stereotypes of life in Germany is that everything is quite orderly, from clean streets and efficient train networks to strict administrative procedures. Indeed, if you come from a country where things are less structured, you may well experience a small “culture shock”. However, as a newcomer, these organised aspects of life can make things much easier (as long as you follow the rules!) and you’ll have more time studying abroad in Germany!

A better description of Germany is multi-ethnic, open and friendly. Its population of 82 million includes around 12% of foreigners. Traditions and modernity are perfectly integrated and its inhabitants are fun-loving people. Many of its cities still bare the historic scars of war but places, like the capital Berlin, have seen a cultural, economic and architectural renaissance while others have retained their original charm. In fact, all of the German cities have something amazing to offer, from museums, festivals and historic buildings (fairytale castles included) to fashionable shopping districts, vibrant music scenes and clubs. Food in Germany can be hearty but it is not limited to traditional heavy fare and you’ll find good produce to suit all tastes. The food scene is varied and multi-cultural with most cuisines represented: Turkish, Greek, Chinese and Thai, to name just a handful.

Getting around in German cities is easy thanks to efficient and inexpensive public transport networks. Some cities boast trams and underground networks; buses and trains are widely available. Taxis are more expensive of course but all are regulated and will have visible meters which display the fare.

Germany is highly urbanised but the varied countryside is within easy-reach and if outdoor activities are what you enjoy, you won’t be disappointed: skiing, hill-walking, cycling and water sports are all popular. With nine direct neighbours (Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands), it is also easy to travel from Germany to other European countries, by bus, by train or by air. Most of Germany’s neighbouring countries are part of the Schengen agreement which allows unrestricted travel within its members (if you are a non-EU citizen your visa will be a “Schengen” visa). This is particularly useful for tourism purposes and also when attending conferences or visiting research labs across continental Europe.

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Students in Germany either live in halls of residence or in private accommodation. In contrast to many other countries, Germany's universities do not automatically allocate a room when you register for your course. If you're looking in major cities such as Munich, Cologne or Hamburg, you should allow yourself enough time to find accommodation, starting before you leave home.

On average, students will pay between €246-595 per month in rent. Accommodation options include:

• Halls of residence (or dormitory)
  A room in a dormitory costs an average of €246 per month. Depending on the university, this can include health insurance and a Semesterticket for using local public transport. The Studentenwerk of your university can help you find a room in a dormitory.
• Wohngemeinschaften, referred simply as WG (private shared flats) which are the most popular form of accommodation. The average monthly cost is €363, though this will vary according to location.
• Living in a flat of your own
  This is the most expensive option– a small flat in a cheaper area of Germany such as Leipzig may cost as little as €379, but you could pay €595 or more in large cities such as Frankfurt or Munich.

Living costs

Something that makes Germany great for students is that compared to other European countries, Germany is not overly expensive. Cost of living (including food, accommodation, clothing, entertainment) is on par with the EU average and relatively low compared to Scandinavian countries.

Excluding the Semesterbeitrag (and tuition fees if your institution does charge them), the recommended monthly budget for international students in Germany is around €867. This amount can vary from city to city, and depending on your lifestyle! Student discounts and deals are widely available. These can be helpful of you are on a budget. The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is also handy as it can offer a wide range of useful discounts while you’re studying in Germany.

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Working whilst studying

You may want to consider working while studying abroad in Germany but there will be restrictions depending on where you've come from. Students from the EU or EEA can work 20 hours a week, just like German students.

International students from outside of the EU can work either 120 full days or 240 half days per year. Work as a research assistant (or "Hiwi", in German) however, is not limited to this amount.

International students from outside the EU can also not work on a freelance or self-employed basis.

You can search for job opportunities on your university’s or students’ union website.

The Federal Employment Agency can also assist in helping international students to find work.

Pay and tax

The amount you earn generally depends on the work you do. Germany introduced a minimum wage in 2015, which is redefined every two years. It currently stands at €12. Some roles, such as research assistants or industrial production assistants, will pay more than this. You can also earn more in certain cities such as Munich or Hamburg, but this is beacause the cost of living is higher too.

Students can usually earn up to €450 per month tax free. Do bear in mind, however, that if you work more than 20 hours per week, you will normally have to pay a contribution towards health, unemployment and nursing care insurance.

Further information

By now you should have a good idea of what it might be like to live and study as a Masters student in Germany. You'll be able to work out your budget, get started looking for accommodation and, perhaps, think about brushing up on your German.

There are a few other areas you should inform yourself about before heading to study a Masters in Germany, however.

Banking

One benefit of Germany for students is that it's not compulsory to have a bank account if you're studying a Masters. If you need one however to pay for your fees and other expenses, you can open one at any bank in Germany – and usually at no charge. Having a German bank account also means that you can use ATMs free of charge, as well as allowing you to make payments with a EC/Maestro card.

If you decide to take up work, or have accessed your course via a scholarship, it may be necessary to open a current account (Girokonto) at a German bank, as some companies and universities will not pay into a foreign account.

In order to set up an account, you will need:

• your passport
• a residence registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung)
• your university registration certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung).

Transport

Transport in Germany, especially in major cities such as Berlin, is very modernised and extremely efficient. You can choose from a selection of public transportation options, such as buses, trams, trains, and metrolinks.

Ticketing for these services is also very economical, as the same ticket can be used on any mode of public transport. Day tickets (Tageskarte) and 7-day tickets (Wochenkarte) are a good choice if you intend to do a lot of commuting in Germany.