Study Guide

Germany has strong banking infrastructure and opening an account should be a swift process for you.  It’s up to you whether you want to start this process at a bank branch or online. However, if your German speaking skills aren’t the best, it’s best to go to a branch.

Documents to take with you:

• Passport or national identity card (if you’re an EU citizen)
• Proof of registration
• Proof of address
• Student registration – if you wish to open a student account

The four largest banks in Germany are Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Postbank and Hypovereinsbank. If you bank with one of these, you can withdraw cash at the ATM’s of the other three for free.

It’s likely you will opt for a current account. This will allow you to:

• Withdraw cash using an e-card
• Paying bills
• Setting up regular payments: rent 

We have the following estimations for your monthly cost of living in Germany:

Expenses	Estimated cost per month
Rent	€420 - €600 (€600 is more likely for a shared apartment). Single apartments are often more expensive.
Food	€200 - €300
Books	€20 - €40
Transport	€45 - €75
Telephone/internet bills	€40- €60
Health Insurance	€45- €55
Other	€80- €120
Total cost per month	€850 - €1250

As is the case is most countries, cities are more expensive than other parts of the country. However, Germany is known for being a cheaper place for students than other European cities, hence it being a popular study destination.

As you can see from the chart above, renting is likely to be your biggest cost. It’s important for you to enjoy your student life, but remember to keep an eye on your savings too.

One cool way of saving is by taking advantage of all the discounts students are eligible for at various restaurants, cinemas, museums, and more. 

Please note that costs can differ from person to person. 

As with students everywhere, you will have the choice whether to join student housing or purchase private property. It’s important you do plenty of your own research beforehand.

Student residence is available in every city and is managed by the Student Services Organisation. This most affordable type of accommodation on their books costs €240 per month. If this sounds like a good option for you, you must apply in plenty of time as this is a popular choice. You can apply by accessing the Berlin Student Services Organisation page.

The cheapest option you can access here is a room with a communal kitchen, bathroom and living area.  Whatever your needs are, there is student living available to for all, whether you have children, want to live with a partner, or need assistance with a disability.

In Germany, it’s also common practice to have someone living in the student accommodation to provide support to international students and help you settle into the country at the beginning of your stay.

At the expensive end, you can get a place just to yourself with between 2-7 bedrooms. It’s up to you whether you’d also like basic furnishings or no furnishing at all – the cheapest option.

Private accommodation comes via landlords or estate agents and pricing depends on location and of course in a city such as Berlin, pricing will be higher than the national average.

TOP TIP:To save on cash, try sharing with flatmates.

Germany requires its international students to get private health for the duration of their studies. Some of the companies you can sign up with for this are: AOK, BARMER, DAK, HEK, KKH, IKK. The process begins with signing up online.  Once you’ve signed up, you will be sent your insurance certificate.

To join a plan, it is your responsibility to contribute a small amount each month which is typically between €70-80.

If you’re a student from the EU or EEA and already possess insurance in your own country, your existing plan may be accepted by German health companies.

Similarly, if you’re the owner of a European Health Insurance Card that’s recognised in Germany, you also don’t need to register for insurance in Germany. If this is the case for you, you will receive a certificate stating you are exempt from German insurance. 

Germany is a European powerhouse with a rich and varied history and cosmopolitan cities.

Things to see in Berlin:

• Withdraw cash using an e-card
• The Brandenburg Gate
• Remains of the Berlin wall
• The Bundestag
• Museum Island
• Alexanderplatz

Events in Berlin:

• Carnival of Cultures
• Berlin Marathon
• German Christmas Markets
• Berlin International Film Festival
• International Tourist Fair

As well as exploring Berlin, there’s plenty of other great cities to explore across the country. With its rich history, you can get access to its historical past but also its very modern present.

In Berlin, you’ll have access to a beautiful skyline, global cuisine and a vibrant population.

Munich attracts the world with its Oktoberfest and forms the heart of Bavaria.  However, as well as drinks, it’s also known for its art, so don’t skip that out!

The Kunstareal, is the centre of the Munich art scene and hosts four big centres that hold everything from classic pieces of work to retro designs.

If architecture is more your thing, the city has over 700 royal palaces to explore and get lost in.  Other awesome places including a museum dedicated to porcelain as well as the famous BMW museum.

Travelling from one part of the country to the other couldn’t be easier thanks to the country’s sleek and efficient public transportation service. It’s a reliable system and means you don’t need a personal car. For non-native German speakers, there is nothing to worry about; It’s an easy system to navigate and signs in other languages are available.

Though there are no ticket barriers, the country is proud of its honesty system, so always buy a ticket as inspectors can appear at anytime! To save money, we recommend you buy tickets for the following week/month, all at once.