Costs of Living

Average living costs

The Student Service Organisation in Germany has prepared an overview about the average living cost in Germany. You can find this overview here. Another cost overview for students can be found here: Study in Germany. The average living costs for a student in Germany are estimated to be around € 850 per month.

This includes expenses for:

• Rent and utilities (heating, electricity, internet, waste removal)
• Mandatory student health insurance
• Food, clothing
• Leisure time activities
• Additional taxes and fees (see below for details)

Semester fee

In addition to the monthly expenses students have to pay the semester fee.

The semester fee cosists different administrational contributions (social security contribution, student union contributions and the majority of this cost goes toward the SemesterTicket. The concrete amount varies slightly from semester to semester. A partial refund of the semester fee for example for a semester abroad is possible. More information about the refund of the semester fee can be found here.

As a public university in Germany, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences does not charge tuition.

Transportation

All students receive the SemesterTicket when register for a new semester and pay the necessary fees. The SemesterTicket lets you travel for free on most regional and local buses and trains in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Please follow the link for more information.

Health insurance

Health insurance in Germany is mandatory for all residents. That means all international students must sign up for German health insurance in order to study in Germany. You can do this after you arrive. If you have questions about this topic you can contact the Study Advisory Service.

Health insurance costs are very low for students, usually around € 110 per month for full coverage through a public insurance company.

Public broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)

Every apartment or house in Germany must pay a mandatory public broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) which supports public broadcasting networks in German television, radio and the internet. The current fee is € 17.50 per month, charged per address (not per person). International students are not excluded from this fee. You are also required to pay even if you do not own a TV or radio. More information can be found here.



For more information, or if you have recently received a letter about the Rundfunkbeitrag payment, please contact the Welcome Centre. Please bring all relevant letters or documents with you.