The short answer
Accommodation is the biggest slice of student living costs in Germany, which run from about €4,932 a year in Leipzig to €12,696 in Berlin (Munich and Cologne in between). Options are student halls (cheapest, long waitlists), a shared flat or WG (most common), private residences and studios. The visa's €11,904 blocked account is the government's living-cost benchmark.
Accommodation is the biggest single living cost you’ll carry as a student in Germany, and it varies sharply by city. This guide sets out what a year of living costs by city, the main ways students find housing, and how it ties into the blocked account you must show for your visa.
How much does student accommodation cost in Germany?
Accommodation is the largest slice of your living costs, which run from about €4,932 a year in Leipzig to €12,696 in Berlin in our data — the widest cost swing of any factor. These are total off-campus living estimates (rent, food, transport, utilities), so treat them as your all-in annual budget. The German government’s living-cost benchmark for the visa is €11,904 a year.
Living costs by city
Estimated total off-campus living cost per year by city (accommodation is the largest part). If your course is offered in more than one city, location can save you thousands a year.
Your accommodation options
Student halls (Studentenwerk)
Publicly-run student dorms are the lowest-cost option — but places are limited and waitlists are long, so apply the moment you’re admitted.
Shared flat (WG)
A Wohngemeinschaft — renting a room in a shared flat — is how most students live: cheaper than a studio and a fast way to make friends.
Private student residences
Purpose-built student housing with bills included — pricier but easy to book from abroad for your first months.
Private studio / apartment
The most expensive and hardest to secure from abroad; usually needs a deposit (Kaution) of 1–3 months’ rent.
Want a course in a city you can actually afford?
A Craydel counsellor will match you to English-taught German courses and cities that fit your budget — at no cost to you.
How it links to your visa and arrival
Your accommodation budget and the visa are connected: the €11,904 you place in a blocked account is the government’s estimate of a year’s living costs, and it’s released to you at about €992 a month to pay rent and expenses. Two practical tips: book managed housing (a residence or halls) for your first months before you arrive, then look for a WG once you’re on the ground; and be ready for a deposit (Kaution) and the local address registration (Anmeldung) you’ll need soon after landing.
Watch for rental scams. Never pay a deposit for a flat you (or someone you trust) haven’t verified, and be wary of “landlords” who can’t meet or show the property. Start with your university’s housing office and its recommended providers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does accommodation cost in Germany for students?
Accommodation is the biggest part of living costs, which run from about €4,932 a year in Leipzig to €12,696 in Berlin, with Munich and Cologne in between. A shared flat (WG) or student hall is far cheaper than a private studio.
What are the accommodation options?
Publicly-run student halls (cheapest, long waitlists), a shared flat or WG (the most common and good value), private student residences (managed, easy to book from abroad), and private studios (priciest, hardest to secure remotely). Most students start managed, then move to a WG.
Which German city is cheapest for students?
In our data, Leipzig is the most affordable at about €4,932 a year, with Heidelberg and Munich around €5,200–5,660 — all well below Berlin’s €12,696. Choosing a lower-cost city can save thousands over a degree.
Does accommodation link to my visa?
Yes — the €11,904 you deposit in a blocked account for the visa is the government’s estimate of a year’s living costs, released at about €992 a month to cover rent and expenses. Budget your city’s real cost against that.
Sources
- Craydel campus data (2026) — estimated off-campus annual living costs by city.
- Federal Foreign Office — blocked account (€11,904) living-cost benchmark. make-it-in-germany.com
- DAAD / Studentenwerk — student accommodation options and costs in Germany. daad.de
Want this built around your grades and budget?
A Craydel counsellor will shortlist Germany universities that fit what you can actually afford — free.