5 Cheapest Cities to Live in Germany - Study in Germany for Free (2023)

FAQs

Which city in Germany has the lowest cost of living? ›

Despite being the capital, Berlin is one of Germany's cheapest cities. Rental prices vary massively, but as a rule of thumb, the west remains much more expensive than the east. You can rent a one-bed flat in Berlin for €00 upwards.

The price of a student dormitory is normally much cheaper than a private one. Another option is to live in a shared flat with other people. Shared flats are very popular especially among students and are cheaper than if you would live on your own, which can bring down significantly your cost of living in Germany.

Knowing a few phrases in German will make living in Germany a bit easier. In Hamburg, you can expect people to speak a basic level of English and you'll make it through your day to day life without speaking German.

Berlin - one of the economic hubs of the world

The capital city of Germany offers some of the best employment opportunities in Berlin. It is one of the economic hubs of the world and attracts a growing number of expats each year that come in search of better career options.

The minimum wages are revised in Germany from 01 October 2022. The minimum wage has increased from €10.45 to €12.00 per hour. Note: This minimum wage increase might not reflect the inflationary trends.

Student Residences (Halls of Residence)

Student residences in Germany (also known as residence halls) are among the most affordable housing options for students. In fact, approximately 40% of all international students in Germany live in student halls of residence.

1. Expats Love Berlin. Berlin is Germany's capital and the country's biggest city. It also has a large population of expatriates.

Happily, the simple answer is YES — it's definitely possible. The more realistic answer, however, is that it's highly dependent on a number of factors: Your ability to learn German quickly, you skillset, and — perhaps most crucially — your own self confidence and drive.

Why Germany salary is low? ›

Because a salary in Germany comprises more comprehensive social security and health insurance benefits than in most other countries in the world, half of which is paid by the employer so that the acutal cost of employing someone is about 25% higher than their salary.

Student jobs and internships

Students from EU/EEA countries are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week during the semester, just like German students are. There is no limit to how much they can earn during semester breaks.

The German city which has most immigrants is Frankfurt.

It is continental Europe's largest financial center and has a population of approximately 2.5 million in the city and surrounding urban area.

Munich. Munich is probably the safest city to live in Germany. A survey conducted in 2020 found that the crime rate in Munich is pretty low compared to Berlin because out of 100,000, only 6,469 people experienced any criminal activity.

Munich. One of Germany's most famous cities hosts historic sites and buildings, outstanding tourist activities, green parks, castles, and more. The Bavarian city is known for castles and amazing forested surroundings (the views in winter are spectacular).

Germany's minimum wage is €12 per hour, pre-tax since 1 October 2022. The legislation (German: Gesetz zur Regelung eines allgemeinen Mindestlohns) was introduced on January 1, 2015, by Angela Merkel's third government, a coalition between the SPD and the CDU.

How many hours is a full-time job in Germany? ›

An average working week in Germany as a full-time employee is between 36 and 40 hours, with daily working weeks in Germany between seven and eight hours five days a week. Speaking for students, this means that you are allowed to work 2.5 hours per week in addition to your studies.

You may earn up to 450 euros per month. With a minimum wage of 9.50 euros per hour (as of Jan. 2021), you have to work a maximum of around eleven hours per week or around 47 hours per month for this amount. As a full-time student, you do not have to pay taxes or social security contributions on this amount.

Students in Germany usually spend roughly 850 Euros every month on average as living costs. You will require approximately 10, 300+ Euros annually in living costs and close to 40% of global students will want to find student residences owing to lower costs hovering around 300 EUR per month.

German cities face short-term stresses in meeting the immediate needs of unexpected new arrivals. One of the biggest challenges is the angry public response to the huge numbers of asylum seekers and migrants arriving over the past year, stoking security, cultural, and economic fears.

Hamburg, a city-state in northern Germany with a population of 1.8 million people, has received more than 55,000 asylum seekers since the end of 2014.

Living costs in Germany

Under current law in Germany, every international student must possess at least €11,208 in his/her bank account in order to be able to finance their studies for the first year at least. This law is based on the idea that a foreign student spends at least €934 each month.

Can I change my student visa to work permit in Germany? ›

Staying in Germany after obtaining your degree

You are allowed to perform any job while searching for qualified employment. As soon as you have received a job offer, you can apply to have your residence permit for study purposes converted into a work permit for qualified professionals or into an EU Blue Card.

Can I Move to Germany Without a Job? If you are a non-EU national, you cannot live in Germany longer than three months, unless you are working or studying. However, if you meet the requirements, you can apply for a job-seeker visa which allows you to stay in Germany for up to six months as you look for employment.

Find A Job Or Get Enrolled At A German University

The easiest and most hassle-free way to prepare for your move to Germany is to find a job or get accepted to a university beforehand. Depending on your nationality, this is the only way for you to move and legally stay in Germany.

The average pay for a Waiter/Waitress is €26,304 a year and €13 an hour in Germany. The average salary range for a Waiter/Waitress is between €20,491 and €30,039. On average, a High School Degree is the highest level of education for a Waiter/Waitress.

You can work up to 20 hours per week while studying. If you exceed this, you'll be required to pay into the German social security system, and there could be a negative impact on your studies. Non-EU/EEA students are also able to work in Germany alongside their studies, for 120 full days or 240 half days per year.

To find work related to their education, students can apply for an extended 18-month Job Seeking Visa, popularly known as a post-study work visa. This extra 18-month period is known as a post-study work permit in Germany.

International students from other countries are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year. They are not allowed to be self-employed or work as freelancers . Students who want to work more need permission from the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) and the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' office).

Frankfurt am Main accounts for the largest average gross salary at €66,529, followed by Stuttgart (€66,174) and Munich (€65,164).

Which is the richest city in German? ›

The happiest regions in Germany

Schleswig-Holstein has occupied the top spot every year since 2013. These two super-happy federal states are followed by Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria.

Despite being the capital, Berlin is one of Germany's cheapest cities. Rental prices vary massively, but as a rule of thumb, the west remains much more expensive than the east. You can rent a one-bed flat in Berlin for €00 upwards.

I've lived in Rheinland-Pfalz, and would nominate two German states as the friendliest: Bayern (Bavaria) and Rheinland-Pfalz. People in the rural areas of these states are, in my opinion, easier-going than those in more metropolitan regions (Frankfurt and Stuttgart, for example—great cities, but bustling).

Berliners and Düsseldorfers speak the best English

Unsurprisingly, Berlin ranked highest overall with a score of 65,51. Expat-friendly Bavaria (65,09), Hamburg (64,72) and North-Rhine Westphalia (64,63) also ranked highly. The lowest-ranking regions were Mecklenburg-West Pomerania (58,72) and Saxony-Anhalt (60,70).

Many internationals with families choose to live in smaller cities, like Bonn or Heidelberg, because they are more family-friendly and have a slower pace of life. These cities offer excellent public transportation systems, plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, and international communities.

Berlin is 10.7% cheaper than Frankfurt.

The cost of living in Berlin is 9% less expensive than in Munich.

Which European city has the lowest cost of living? ›

Is Canada more expensive than Germany? Yes, Canada is almost 9.1% more likely to be expensive than Germany.

Winner: Berlin. As the capital of the country with a central part to play in some of the most significant events in modern history, it's no surprise that Berlin beats Frankfurt in terms of cultural and historic sites. However, Frankfurt offers the best outdoor/open-air landmarks of the two.

Munich is the better city for people who like to see Germany's traditional side and like to explore magnificent tourist attractions and fairy-tale castles. Berlin, on the other hand, will be ideal for people who would like to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of a young city.

While Frankfurt is considered to be one of the warmest places in Germany, Munich is considered one of the safest cities in Europe. If you're looking for traditional Bavaria then Munich is certainly the place to go, however, it is one of the top tourist cities in Germany.

United Kingdom is 25.9% more expensive than Germany.

It is possible to be resident for tax purposes in more than one country at the same time. This is known as dual residence.