Living in Hamburg
International Students
Living Expenses
Obviously your living expenses will depend very much on your expectations. The following is a rule of thumb:
- rent: very much depends on your demands. You should calculate around 320 € per month (bills included).
- health insurance: 55.00 €
- public transport: 40.00 €
- telephone, internet, radio and television: 50.00 €
- food and drink: 170.00 €
- clothes: 57.00 €
Students who present their student ID cards frequently get discounts on railcards and tickets for the cinema, museum or theatre. Asking for student discounts is definitely worthwhile.
Accommodation
Please make sure that you start looking for a place to live as early as possible. In a popular university city such as Hamburg affordable rooms and flats are quickly snapped up.
Shared flats
The internet is a great way to find a room in a shared flat, known in Germany as a Wohngemeinschaft – or WG in short. Several people live together in a flat they have rented privately. Usually everyone has their own room, while the kitchen and bathroom are shared. The rent and the bills for telephone, internet, electricity, gas and water are shared. This makes living in a shared flat cheaper than living alone. You can find WG rooms online under:
Private accommodation
Private rooms and flats can be found online under:
- Immonet
Generally, you will have to pay a deposit to your landlord or landlady when you sign the rent contract. This can amount to 3 months' rent (without bills) and will be repaid when you move out (if there is no damage).
Health Insurance
To study in Germany you must have health insurance. Most students in Germany are insured with a statutory health insurance carrier. The contributions for students under the age of 30 currently amount to around 65.00 euros per month.
Nationals of EU and EEA countries may, under certain circumstances, remain insured via the health insurance in their country of origin. Before coming to Germany, please check with your insurance company which papers/documents you have to present in Germany and which costs they will cover.
Bank Accounts
It is advisable to open a current bank account (Girokonto) once you have arrived in Germany as payments such as rent, telephone bills etc are carried out via bank transfers, direct debits or standing orders. Many banks in Germany offer free-of-charge current accounts for students.To get such an account you have to present your passport, your student ID card and a matriculation certificate to the bank.
© Foto: Karin Rose
