If you want to live better without saying no to random weekend trips because of money, you're in the right place. Germany might have a reputation for being expensive, but it's also full of opportunities to save if you know where to look.
We've put together 11 ways to reduce your costs in Germany, without "spend less" tips, rather with specific strategies that students actually use to save euros monthly.
How to Save Money With Transportation
Transportation is a category which can rack up some money, especially if you are new to a country and don’t know how to get around. Here are the best ways you can stay frugal:
Make the Most Out of Your Semester Ticket
Public transportation in Germany is reliable and well-connected, but costs can add up quickly if you’re not strategic. As a student, always check if your university offers a semester ticket (Semesterticket)—this pass, usually included in your semester fees, gives you unlimited access to local and regional transport within certain zones for six months.
If your university doesn’t offer one, consider getting the Deutschlandticket for €58 per month, which allows nationwide travel on regional trains, buses, and trams.
Get the BahnCard 25/50 if You Will Use the Train a Lot / Tips for Saving on Trains
If you plan to use Deutsche Bahn's services frequently, especially while using the ICE, consider purchasing the DB MyBahnCard 25/50. This card allows you to buy tickets with discounts all year long, and there is a special price for those under 27 years old. Apart from that, you might want to download the DB Mitfahrer App. It allows you to quickly and easily find the right passengers to travel with – and save a lot of money by getting a group ticket.
Switch to Biking Whenever Possible
Using a bicycle is also a common and comfortable solution to travel short to medium distances in Germany. If you are not planning to bring a bike of your own, consider using some of the bike sharing apps like Byke or DB Call a Bike. They have many reusable bikes spread around the cities which can be booked by a mobile phone, unlocked and used for a fixed rate fee.
How to Be More Frugal with Sports
Having a membership at a nearby gym is something that often comes at a high cost. We recommend finding outdoor sports groups. There are plenty of apps for it, like sportyapp or spontacts, but you can also find outdoor groups via Facebook Events. It is a great way to meet new people, stay fit and save some money.
Save Some Money with Insurance
There is a simple reason why almost every German has liability insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung): in case of trouble, it saves you a whole lot of money! According to German law, everyone can be held liable comprehensively for damages caused negligently or carelessly.
Imagine if you accidentally dropped someone’s iPhone or spilt red wine on a very expensive carpet, personal liability insurance is a voluntary insurance that covers exactly those damages. Usually, they cost around 55€ per year for a single person.
Be More Careful with Grocery Expenses
Cheapest way to buy food is at local discounters (Lidl, Penny, Aldi, Netto, etc). It is also sometimes a good idea to search for seasonal food offers at local markets and then cook a nice dinner out of it. In general, meal preparation at home could save you a lot of money. Eating out every day, even though appealing, harms your budget a lot.
Track Your Finances Better
Some people find it useful to download special budgeting apps to keep track of their finances. There, you can set budget restrictions on certain categories, control your costs and see if you have overspent this month. We suggest you check out Spender and other apps in this category.
Apart from that, make sure you open your current account at a bank with no monthly costs.
Tips for Accommodation
It is well known that finding a place to live in Germany can turn out to be a major challenge for international students. On top of that, the landlord may also require you to provide a high rental deposit before you move in.
When moving in, you would most likely need to find providers for such services as electricity, internet, mobile communications and so on. Make sure you make a research and compare the prices before signing a contract at a special price portal (i.e. https://www.verivox.de/, https://www.check24.de/).
How to Save Money on Books
If you are a book lover, consider exchanging/buying and selling books on such websites as tauschticket.de, booklooker.de, or Amazon Books. Also, when enrolling at the Bürgeramt, you would receive a book with vouchers, including a 1-year free membership at the City Library (Stadtbücherei).
Use Special Offers Whenever Possible
Small savings add up fast. Here are proven ways to reduce costs on streaming, shopping, and everyday essentials, just by being strategic about where and how you spend.
- Amazon Prime has a special student offer: free membership for one year! Unlimited streaming of TV Shows and Movies with Prime Video, along with a Premium access to Amazon deals. We also suggest checking out student offers at Spotify, Apple Music and similar platforms.
- Consider getting a Payback Card. It is a multi-brand loyalty program that lets you earn and redeem points on every shopping trip. With a wide range of in-store and online partners, you can earn points on groceries, fuel, entertainment, travel, apparel and more. Members can stack up points and redeem these points for free shopping.
- Try eBay Kleinanzeigen when you need to purchase stuff for university, like books and calculators. It is also quite useful to search for kitchen utilities and small pieces of furniture for your apartment.
- Use in-app coupons when shopping, since most stores have special offers on groceries within their mobile apps. For instance, Kaufland offers a Kaufland Card in their app, and with Lidl plus you can get good discounts from time to time.
Make Extra Money with a Part-Time Job
One of the most obvious ways to earn extra money is to find a part-time job. For instance, consider teaching your own language or other subjects where you have expertise. Baby-sitting could also be an option. Keep in mind that in Germany, f you consistently earn €556 or less per month, you stay within the mini-job category and keep the tax-free status.
All in all, we believe that there are many ways to save money in Germany, especially for students. Don’t hesitate to ask around for special offers, and always carry your student id around.
FAQs
Find answers to common questions about living in Germany.
Is it hard to save money in Germany?
Not necessarily, because Germany offers many opportunities to save money. However, your ability to save depends on your income, location, and spending habits. The key is being strategic: use discount stores, get proper insurance to avoid catastrophic costs, choose affordable housing (possibly outside city centers), and take advantage of loyalty programs and student discounts.
Can I live on 1,000 euros a month in Germany?
Yes, you technically can live on 1,000 euros. The complete answer depends on where you live and your lifestyle. In smaller cities and university towns, €1,000 per month is manageable for students. However, in expensive cities like Munich, Frankfurt, or Hamburg, you'll likely struggle. To make €1,000 work, you'll need to share accommodation, cook most meals at home, shop at discount supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl, and take advantage of student discounts.
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