
You are planning your stay in Germany for a German course lasting several months and are wondering: ‘Is €1000 a month enough to live on?’ This question is on the minds of many of our course participants. You have already booked a room, but how far will the rest of your budget take you? Don’t worry, we will help you get a realistic overview of your living expenses and show you how to make the best use of your money!
Today you will learn:
- What can I afford in Germany with 1000 euros a month?
- What costs should I expect for food and drink?
- How much does public transport cost in German cities?
- How much do leisure activities and culture cost in Germany?
- How can I save money in my day-to-day life in Germany?
- What unexpected costs can I expect during my stay?
- How should I plan my budget for Germany?
- Are there differences between different German cities?
What can I afford in Germany with 1000 euros a month?
You can certainly live in Germany on 1000 euros a month, especially if your accommodation costs are already covered. This is good news for you as a participant in our German courses! However, a lot depends on your personal lifestyle and the location of your course.
In smaller towns and rural areas, €1000 is usually more than enough. You will be able to live comfortably and even treat yourself to a few extras. In big cities like Munich, Hamburg or Frankfurt, you may have to budget a little more carefully, but it is definitely doable.
Here is a rough breakdown of how you could allocate your budget:
- Food and drinks: €250-300
- Public transport: €50-90
- Leisure and culture: €100-150
- Mobile phone and internet: €20-30
- Clothing and personal expenses: 100-150 euros
- Learning materials: 30-50 euros
- Unexpected expenses: 100 euros
What costs should I expect for food and drink?
You should plan on spending around €250-300 per month on food and drink. This may seem like a lot at first, but it covers all your daily meals. Here are a few examples of food prices in Germany:
- bread (500g): €1.50-3
- milk (1 litre): €0.80-1.20
- apples (1 kg): €2-3
- pasta (500g): €0.80-2
- cheese (200g): €2-3
- chicken breast (500g): €4-6
- beer (0.5l bottle in a supermarket): €0.80-1.50
Tip: Shopping at discount stores like Aldi, Lidl or Penny can significantly ease the strain on your budget. These supermarkets offer good-quality products at very affordable prices. For fresh fruit and vegetables, weekly markets can also be a good option.
If you would like to eat out, expect to pay the following prices:
- Doner kebab: €4-7
- Pizza in a simple restaurant: €8-12
- Lunch in the student cafeteria: €3-5
- Coffee to go: €2-3
How much does public transport cost in German cities?
The cost of public transport varies from city to city. Expect to pay around 50-90 euros per month for a monthly ticket. In many cities, there are cheap semester tickets that you can often use as a language student. Ask your language school about the options.
Examples of monthly ticket prices (student rate):
- Berlin: approx. 65 euros
- Munich: approx. 55 euros
- Hamburg: approx. 70 euros
- Frankfurt: approx. 90 euros
Many cities also offer bike-share systems, which can be a cheap alternative to public transport.
How much do leisure activities and culture cost in Germany?
You should plan on spending around 100-150 euros per month on leisure and culture. Germany offers a wide range of cultural activities, many of which are affordable for students. Here are some examples:
- Cinema ticket: €8-12 (there are often cheaper student rates)
- Museum admission: €5-15 (many museums offer free or reduced-price admission on certain days)
- Beer in a bar: €3-5
- Admission to a club: €5-15
- Swimming pool: 3-5 euro
- Fitness studio (monthly): from 20 euro
Many museums and cultural institutions offer discounts for students. Always look out for student discounts and actively ask for them.
How can I save money in my day-to-day life in Germany?
- Cook for yourself instead of eating out: This not only saves money, but also improves your German skills when shopping and reading recipes.
- Take advantage of student discounts: Many shops, museums and events offer discounts for students.
- Buy used books or borrow them from the library: This can save you a lot of money, especially for your German studies.
- Take advantage of free leisure activities: parks, free museum days, public events and city festivals are great ways to save money and get to know German culture.
- Compare prices: Use price comparison websites before you make major purchases.
- Share costs: Organise cooking evenings with other course participants or share streaming subscriptions.
- Use second-hand shops and flea markets. You can often find cheap clothes and household items there.
What unexpected costs can I expect during my stay?
Plan for about €100 per month for unexpected expenses. These could include:
- Doctor visits or medication (make sure you have valid health insurance)
- Repairs to your bike or laptop
- Gifts for new friends or host families
- Additional learning materials for your German course
- Spontaneous trips or excursions within Germany
How should I plan my budget for Germany?
- Make a detailed list of all your monthly expenses: Divide them into fixed costs (such as public transport tickets) and variable costs (such as food and leisure).
- Set priorities: What is necessary, what is a luxury? Decide what you could do without if necessary.
- Keep a budget book: Note down all your expenses. This will help you keep track of your spending and see where you can potentially save.
- Use budgeting apps: Apps like N26, YNAB or Mint can help you track and categorise your expenses.
- Plan for contingencies: Always expect to spend a little more than expected to be on the safe side.
- Find out about local offers: Every city has its own cheap shopping and leisure opportunities.
Are there differences between different German cities?
Yes, the cost of living can vary greatly from city to city:
- Munich and Frankfurt are considered the most expensive cities in Germany. Here you have to expect higher costs for food and leisure activities.
- Berlin is comparatively cheap despite its size, especially when it comes to leisure activities and gastronomy.
- Cities in eastern Germany and smaller university towns are often cheaper than big cities in the west or south.
In smaller cities, you can live very comfortably on 1000 euros, while in big cities you may have to be a little more frugal.
With good planning and a little creativity, you can live very well on 1000 euros a month in Germany and enjoy your stay to the full. Remember: every euro you save is a euro you can use for special experiences or trips in Germany.
Enjoy your experience in Germany and take every opportunity to improve your language skills – it’s an investment that always pays off!
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Would you like to improve your German quickly?
If you would like to learn or perfect your German in Germany or Austria, we have a wide selection of language schools for every need and size on offer.
Here you can find all our programmes in Germany and Austria:
German courses for children and teenagers
If you’re still not sure which city or language school is right for you, just get in touch with us and together we’ll find the best solution for you!