While low costs are a very attractive aspect of earning a degree abroad in Germany, the cost of living can still be pricey. Rent will usually be the most expensive part of your monthly budget, but it will still cost less than most places in Europe. On average a shared apartment costs around $350 and a student dormitory costs around $275.

You won’t need a visa to earn a degree in Germany if you’re an EU national or a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. If you are not an EU citizen or citizen of the latter countries, you should expect to pay around $70 for your student visa. There are also fee reductions and waivers for Schengen visas. In order to fulfill student visa requirements, you will need to show proof that you have, or have access to, around $9,500 per year (or $770 per month) to cover your costs of living.

On top of a visa, you will also need health insurance as a pre-condition of registering for courses at a German university. If you’re a resident of a country within the EU or EEA, there should be a social security agreement between Germany and your home country, which means that if you have public health insurance, then you should be covered in Germany as well. If your health insurance is not valid in Germany, expect to pay between $90 and $180 per month for health insurance for the duration of your degree program.