Cost of living in Germany and Lüneburg

The cost of living in Germany is about average for Europe. Living in our neighbouring countries to the west and in the Nordic countries is much more expensive. For your basic monthly needs, you should assume about 850 €. Ultimately, however, the cost of living in Germany depends on your individual lifestyle. Here you can find a more detailed list of the cost of living in Lüneburg:

  • Rent: €300-450
  • Food (if you eat at the dining hall): €200-230
  • Health insurance: approx. €110
  • Books, clothing, leisure activities, miscellaneous: €80-250

Tuition fees as part of the cost of living in Germany

For international students, tuition fees are an important aspect of the expected cost of living in Germany. In a global comparison, Germany is among the countries that make education easily accessible to society through low fees. Per semester, regular study programmes incur fees of approximately €321 (subject to change). You can find the exact breakdown here:

  • Student Union fee: €110.00
  • Student body contribution: € 136.00 (Semester ticket: €117.00, incl. culture ticket, city bike, bike store as well as €19,00 contribution to the student self-administration)
  • Contribution to administrative costs: €75.00
  • Total: €321.00

The semester fees already include a ticket for the regional public transport system as well as a culture ticket per validity period of a semester, which will have a positive effect on your cost of living in Lüneburg.

Hidden Costs

In addition to the regular expenses listed above, you should also expect unforeseen costs. The following chart lists costs that applicants and students do not necessarily expect:

Hidden Costs1 ©Leuphana
Illustration of the hidden costs of studying abroad in Germany.
Hidden Costs 2 ©Leuphana
Continuing the hidden costs of studying.