1. Fact Check: Are Tuition Fees Really Free at German Universities? Let me tell you the conclusion first. Yes, it is almost 99%! Many people say, “Oh, no way~”, but in Germany, 'Public' university It's like a huge library run by the state. Regardless of nationality, whether you're Korean, American, or German, it opens its doors to knowledge and doesn't charge any 'fees', that is, tuition. It's for undergraduate courses, and even most master's courses!
Of course, there is no such thing as a 100% in the world, right? There are very small exceptions.
The rough neighborhood, Baden-Württemberg: Of the 16 states in Germany, this is the only one that charges non-EU students around 1,500 euros (about 2.2 million won) per semester. Famous cities like Stuttgart and Heidelberg are in this state, so be sure to check when applying.Learn more about tuition fees in Baden-Württemberg )Aristocratic schools, private universities: Of course, there are private universities in Germany that charge high tuition fees. These schools are operated without government support, so tuition fees are naturally high. What we commonly refer to as “free education in Germany” mostly applies to “public” universities.
Okay, now the real story is from now on. Why do you need study abroad expenses when there is no tuition? The secret key is right here.
2. What is the semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), the only exception to ‘free tuition’? If you are accepted to a German university, you will receive a ‘tuition notice’ instead. 'Semester contribution' You will receive a payment slip. It is similar to living in an apartment, where you do not have to pay monthly rent (tuition), but you have to pay 'management fees' such as water and electricity. In other words, it is the minimum cost for using school facilities and receiving benefits as a student.
Are you disappointed and thinking, “Oh, I’m paying for it!”? Wait a minute! If you know where this money is being spent, your thoughts will change 180 degrees.
Student Welfare Association (Student office ) Operating expenses: It is used to operate all amenities for students, including a low-cost student cafeteria (Mensa), dormitories, and a psychological counseling center.Student Council (AStA) operating expenses: This is the cost for the Student Council, which represents students' rights and hosts various cultural events.(Most important!) Semester ticket: This is the highlight! With this one ticket, you can use all public transportation in the city, including buses, trams, and subways, for 6 months without any restrictions. In Germany, where transportation costs are high, there is no greater benefit than this.
The semester contribution, including all of these benefits, varies by school and city, but is typically for one semester. 100 Euros ~ 400 Euros (about 150,000 won ~ 600,000 won) It is a level. In the end, the 'semester contribution' is not a sham cost, but a 'student welfare + transportation fee package' that gives you more benefits the more you pay. (Check the official DAAD description )
3. The Real Cost of Studying Abroad: Digging Deep into the Monthly Living Expenses of German Students Now, let's find out how much money you really need to live. The German government sets a minimum amount of money that international students need to live for a month and uses this standard when issuing visas. As of 2025, it is roughly 934 euros per month (about 1.35 million won) This is the extent of it, so let's break it down into items to see where and how this money is actually being used.
👑 Expense #1: Rent: The biggest part is the cost of living, accounting for 1/3 of the total. Cheap school dormitories (Studentenwerk) start at 300-400 euros per month, but it is very difficult to get in. Usually, it is a 'WG' (bedroom, WG-Gesucht ) and depending on the size of the city, 400 to 700 euros per month You have to anticipate the extent of it.❤️🩹 Essential Expenses: Health Insurance: If you want to get a student visa in Germany, you must have health insurance. Public insurance for students covers most of the hospital expenses, and the cost 120 euros per month (about 180,000 won) It's pretty much set to that extent.🛒 Small but big money: Food & necessities: You can save a lot on food costs by eating out less and using low-cost stores like Aldi and Lidl. Usually 200 - 250 euros per month Get the hang of it.📱 Because data is precious: Telecommunications costs (Phone/Internet): If you use a cheap mobile phone plan, 15 to 30 euros per month is enough.
If we roughly add these up, it would be at least 850 to 1,200 euros (about 1.25 million won to 1.75 million won) The calculations show how much is needed. Remember that there are big differences depending on the city and individual's spending habits!
4. So how much is it in total per year? Final summary of study abroad expenses (ft. US/UK comparison) Now, let's combine the monthly living expenses and semester contributions we calculated earlier to get a final estimate of how much will be taken out of our bank account in a year. The calculation is very simple!
(Average monthly living expenses × 12 months) + (Average semester contribution × 2 semesters) = Total cost for 1 year
Let's plug in the average amounts we found into the above formula. Let's assume the average monthly living expenses are about 1,000 euros and the average semester contribution is about 300 euros. (Based on the exchange rate of 1 euro = 1,450 won)
(1,000 euros × 12) + (300 euros × 2) = 12,600 euros → approximately 18.3 million won
Of course, there will be a big difference depending on the individual's spending habits and the cost of living in the city, but when all is said and done, studying in Germany for one year costs at least 18 million to 25 million won You can expect the cost to be around that level.
“How cheap is this?” Honestly, you don’t really get the idea. If you compare it to other countries, your jaw will drop.
Studying at a US state university (tuition + living expenses): About 50 million to 80 million won per yearStudying in the UK (Tuition + Living Expenses): Approximately 45 million to 70 million won per year
Can you see? Studying in Germany is a truly 'cost-effective' option, costing half or even a third of the cost in the United States. But wait, how do you get this money to Germany and prove it? The answer is 'Speerconto', which will be explained in the next section.
5. (Required!) Learn about the Sperrkonto, the core of studying abroad costs in Germany The mountain you must overcome to get a German visa is 'Sperrkonto' , in English it is called a 'Blocked Account'. The name alone sounds scary and makes you think you'll get your money stolen, but in fact it's the opposite. This is an account created by the German government to say to international students, "I'll manage your allowance so you won't starve for a year!" 'Forced savings account' It's the same thing.
Why did they create such a cumbersome procedure? It is to prevent international students from dropping out of their studies due to financial difficulties, such as not being able to find part-time jobs after coming to Germany. In other words, they are asking you to prove that you have a stable life with your own money.
SpareConto, How to Make and Use It? (A to Z)
The process of making and using a Spareconto is largely divided into the ‘preparation stage in Korea’ and the ‘stage after arriving in Germany.’
Step 1: Select a supplier and open an account (in Korea)
In the past, it was very complicated because it was only possible through local German banks, but now, it has become very easy because there are online service providers officially recognized by the German Foreign Ministry. You can complete all the procedures online from Korea.
Representative companies: Expatrio (Expatrio) Fintiba Application Process: Go to the website of the company you want to apply for, fill out the online application form, and upload documents such as a copy of your passport and your university acceptance letter (Zulassung).
Step 2: Remittance and Issuance of Financial Certificate (in Korea)
Once your account opening application is complete, you will receive the total amount to be deposited and account information from the company.
Amount to be transferred: We will remit the amount including the minimum living expenses for one year set by the German government (11,208 euros as of 2025) + account opening fees and remittance fees in one go.Proof of finances (Proof of finances): Once the deposit is confirmed, the company will issue a statement stating, “This student hereby certifies that he or she has safely deposited one year’s living expenses in our bank.” Official financial statement This is the key document that must be submitted when applying for a visa!
Step 3: Activate your account and withdraw funds (after arrival in Germany)
Getting your visa and safely arriving in Germany is not the end! To receive the money you have tied up as living expenses every month, there is one last step left: 'Account activation'.
Opening a regular bank account (Girokonto): You will need a 'My Account' to receive the money from Speikonto every month. You will first need to open a general deposit/withdrawal account at a local German bank such as N26, Sparkasse, or Commerzbank.Apply for activation: Apply for 'Activation' by registering your newly created German bank account information with the company that opened your Speikonto (Expatrio, Fintiba, etc.).Get your monthly allowance: Once activation is complete, a fixed amount (currently around 934 euros) will be deposited into your German bank account every month starting the following month. Now, your real study abroad life begins!
In this way, the Spärkonto is an essential document for visa application and a strong safety device that guarantees your stable life in Germany. When preparing for a visa, always German Embassy in Korea website It is important to get into the habit of checking the latest rates and regulations.
6. Create your own study abroad budget: The final checklist Okay, now that the theory is out of the way, it's your turn! Use the guide below to create your own 'My Budget for Studying Abroad in Germany' in an Excel sheet. The cost of studying abroad is (1) Initial expenses required before departure , (2) Initial settlement costs required after arrival in Germany , and (3) Living expenses for one year can be divided into
Phase 1. 'Initial investment costs' required in Korea before departure
This cost is separate from the living expenses you put in your spare cash account and is a 'seed fund' that you need to prepare in advance.
✅ University application costs: You often apply to multiple universities, right? Uni-assist If you apply through , there is a fee of approximately 75 euros for the first university application and approximately 30 euros for each additional university (approximately 200 euros for 5 universities).✅ Visa application fee: This is the fee paid when applying for a student visa at the German Embassy in Korea. (Currently about 75 euros, about 110,000 won)✅ Superconto opening fee: This is the account opening fee and annual management fee paid when using service providers such as Expatrio or Fintiba. (Approximately 50 to 100 euros depending on the provider)✅ Flight ticket cost: The cost of a one-way or round-trip flight to Germany. It varies greatly depending on the time and airline, but if you book in advance, consider About 800,000 won to 1.5 million won is expected.
Phase 2. 'Initial Settlement Costs' for the first month after arriving in Germany
These are the big expenses you have to spend in one go in the first month, right before you get your SpareConto salary(?) when you first arrive in Germany. This is the part that is most likely to exceed your budget, so make sure to prepare generously.
✅ Monthly rent deposit (Kaution): The biggest expense! Usually, you have to leave 2-3 months' 'basic rent (Kaltmiete)' as a deposit to the landlord. If the monthly rent is 500 euros, the deposit is 1,000 to 1,500 euros (about 1.5 to 2.2 million won) You have to pay it all at once (of course you will get this money back later!)✅ First month’s rent: In addition to the security deposit, you must also pay the first month's rent in advance.✅ Furniture and household goods purchase costs: Most of the houses in Germany are empty. You need to buy new beds, desks, chairs, kitchen utensils, etc. IKEA is good, but eBay Kleinanzeigen (German version of Joonggonara) or your local flea market (Flohmarkt) can save you a lot of money. (At least 300 to 500 euros expectation)
Phase 3. Final review of the ‘annual budget’ for one-year study abroad
Now, let's put everything we've learned above together and do a final check on our annual budget.
✅ Sperrkonto Deposit: The minimum living expenses for one year set by the German government. (11,208 euros, approximately 16.5 million won as of 2025) ✅ Semester contribution: The amount for 1 semester of the university you are applying to x 2. (Average 300 euros x 2 = 600 euros, approximately 900,000 won) ✅ (Optional) Emergency fund and additional living expenses: The SpareConto amount is the 'minimum' cost of living. It takes into account things like living in a big city, traveling, and unexpected expenses. 1,000 to 2,000 euros per year It's a good idea to include some extra emergency funds in your budget for added peace of mind.
Studying abroad in Germany, behind the sweet words of 'free tuition', there are such realistic costs hidden. However, as we have seen today, if you plan and prepare thoroughly, Germany is still the most reasonable and attractive place to study abroad. I hope this article has been a solid guide for your first step to successful study abroad in Germany!
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