Cost of Living During Ausbildung: The Ultimate Guide for Indians

Planning to apply for an Ausbildung in Germany? It’s not only a highly promising career path with a low cost of education but also one of the best ways to make sure that you’re going to spend your money wisely in Germany. How do you plan your budget then?

What Is Ausbildung?

Ausbildung is a German vocational training program that implies both classroom learning and on-the-job training. You receive a monthly stipend to help cover all living costs and that makes Germany even more attractive for students due to its low-cost education system.

Accommodation Costs

Housing typically takes up the biggest chunk of your monthly budget. Your options usually include shared apartments, student dormitories, or private studio flats. Sharing apartments, commonly known as WG (Wohngemeinschaft) in Germany, are the most popular type of housing for students as it’s relatively cheap and you already have a built-in social circle. Student dormitories are also cheap but availability may differ depending on the city. Though studio apartments may come with a higher price tag they can be completely self-contained, giving you complete privacy. In turn, choosing a larger city such as Munich or Frankfurt will likely lead you to spend more on rent than if you chose to live in a smaller city such as Dresden, or Leipzig.

Food and Groceries

You will find great prices for food throughout Germany, as well. Supermarkets, including Aldi, Lidl, and Rewe, have a wide selection of all types of food, from fresh produce to prepared meals; therefore, cooking at home rather than dining out will allow you to save a considerable amount of money on groceries. There are also plenty of canteens, also known as Mensa, run by vocational schools and training companies. The prices in the canteens are very affordable for students. Eating out in restaurants and cafés sometimes is a great pleasure, but too frequent visits may lead to an increase in expenses.

Transportation

Germany has developed and convenient public transport that includes buses, trams, and trains, so having a car is not necessary for the majority of students. Some regions provide discounted or semester tickets that allow unlimited travels in certain zones for students and trainees. With the implementation of the Deutschlandticket, traveling became cheaper since it is possible to travel in regional and local transportation using a single monthly ticket. It is a perfect opportunity to visit other cities in your spare time.

Health Insurance

Having health insurance is one of the compulsory things in Germany, which all residents must have. As an Ausbildung trainee, you will be covered under the statutory health insurance that will be deducted automatically from your stipend each month. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about the cost of doctor visits, hospitalization and other treatments.

Phone and Internet

In order to communicate while in Germany, you should buy a prepaid card from a provider such as Aldi Talk or O2 that is very popular amongst the students due to flexible conditions and cheap prices. You may want to live in a shared apartment, which means that your share of money spent on internet connection would be relatively low.

Leisure and Miscellaneous Expenses

Besides, you may need some funds for your leisure time like gym membership, clothes, movies, etc. There are a lot of opportunities for having fun and relaxing in Germany, especially if you show your student identity – most places and facilities give discounts for students. Therefore, it is useful to plan some amount of money for your miscellaneous expenses each month so that you could feel comfortable in Germany without constant worries about overspending.

Advantages of the Ausbildung Stipend

One of the greatest benefits of taking part in this program is that you will receive a monthly stipend, called Ausbildungsvergütung, paid by your employer. It is meant to help you pay for your daily needs. In most cases, it covers your accommodation, food, transportation, and insurance. Thus, unlike university students who need to pay for tuition abroad and accommodation, you will have almost no financial difficulties. Your stipend amount will increase every year due to your development.

Tips for Budgeting Your Money

If you want to save money, you can choose to live in a small town instead of a big metropolitan area. Preparing meals at home rather than ordering food every day will allow you to save even more money. You should also make use of the student discounts when traveling, having fun, or shopping.

Opening a local bank account can also help you save money and avoid additional expenses.

Conclusion

Living in Germany during your Ausbildung doesn’t have to be expensive. Take advantage of this program to quickly control your expenses and create long-lasting memories. We support our students at BCES Admissions Abroad through their entire experience of studying for and learning about Auslander – from selecting the best program to finding their way around Germany. Contact us today at +91 9319996330 to learn how you can have a fulfilling career abroad for less.