Hello! If you are an Indian student who wants to do nursing abroad, the Ausbildung in Germany could be your best option. The Ausbildung Nursing in Germany is a vocational education system where you will attend class for 24 hours a week and spend the other half of the time working in a hospital. You will even earn a salary while learning! This blog will help you understand what the cost of living ausbildung nursing germany means, a break-down of living costs, planning a budgeting, and affordable cities in Germany.
The nursing Ausbildung program is a 3-year vocational course that gets you certified as a nursing specialist. You will be exposed to a curriculum that blends study (like classroom learning about healthcare systems, ethics, and nursing techniques) with targeted practical training at hospitals, nursing homes, or pediatric centers. Importantly, there is no tuition fee because this is vocational training, and you will earn a monthly stipend. That stipend will help pay your living costs. This option is a good fit for Indian students because it is affordable, practical, and valid internationally.
To apply to this program, you generally need: a high school diploma (10+2), a German language certificate (B1 or B2 level) and medical certificate (endorsed health). The training is state-sanctioned, and with a successful final exam, you will be able to use the qualification of "Nursing Specialist" and work in job positions in Germany and abroad. The only hurdle is you will have to learn German, but never fear. You can learn the level needed with a German course... such as those delivered byAffiniks.
Every student is thrilled to study in Germany, but let's get serious, students in a foreign land means expenses.What is the cost of living for ausbildung nursing students per month ?Generally you have to count on having €700 – €900 a month to cover the basics when you are living in Germany.
To give you a rough idea of what living expenses nursing germany most Indian students spend on average, here's the breakdown:
- Accommodation: €300 - €500. Living in a shared apartment or a student dormitory is the best option for keeping the costs low. In a small town you might find a student dorm for €250, and it's not uncommon to find a private apartment for €600 or more in a big city like Munich.
- Food and Groceries: €150 - €250. Cooking will end up saving you a lot of money. Supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl and Penny offer students some of the lowest prices on groceries. You'll also find an Indian store (Asia Shop) if you need a familiar spice, but those supermarkets will be more expensive. Eating out will cost between €10 - €15, but try to reserve eating out for special occasions.
- Health Insurance: €120-130. Slightly more than 440/450/week for health insurance for students under 30 is a small price to pay for health insurance that takes care of most medical needs. Your employer may even cover all or part of the costs - and you should absolutely ask about it during job interviews or when you first meet people in smaller towns.
- Transport: €30-100. A lot of German universities will offer a semester ticket (costing between €100 - €350/semester) that provides unlimited access to all public transportation for that period. If you are lucky enough to be in a smaller town you should also consider investing in a bike, even if it's cheap, you can save the costs again. There is also the Deutschland-Ticket (€49/month), which gives you unlimited nationwide travel (not including buses, regional trains, or underground) and is an incredible deal.
- Utilities and internet: €50-100. If you are in a shared apartment, you may be required to pay your own utilities like electricity, internet, and water
During your Ausbildung, you'll receive a ausbildung nursing stipend every month! Provide or take, you'll generally receive between €1,150 and €1,350 (€1,05,800–€1,24,200 INR) a month and the stipend increases each year. For example:
- Year 1: ~€1,150/month
- Year 2: ~€1,200/month
- Year 3: ~€1,300–€1,350/month
Whatever the case maybe, your stipend generally covers your living expenses. Eventually you'll have anywhere between €300–€500 to save as long as your budget wisely. Some hospitals (especially in smaller towns or from the stop), will pay or contribute to living costs, and as alluded to earlier the cost of living isn't as high as most EU countries so always ask during your interview. When you complete your Ausbildung most trainees are offered permanent nursing positions at hospitals with pay starting between €2,500–€3,000 a month and the demand for nurses in Germany is very high, so job stability and security for you is not an issue.
1. Cook at Home: It is easier and more tempting to eat out, but you will end up saving a lot more money cooking at home in bulk and freezing meals. You can also check weekly supermarket flyers to see if any discount supermarkets are featured.You can also check out your local farmers' market. Typically lots of cheap fresh food.
2. Use Student Discounts: Make sure you're using your student ID everywhere. Museums and cinemas, same with restaurants there can be discounts available. You can find discounts on clothing or electronics on apps like UNiDAYS.
3. Share Accommodation: Living in a WG (shared accommodation) is a great way to split rent and utility bills, and meet new friends. Check online to see listings for transplants in Germany, like on WG-Gesucht.
4. Get a Semester Ticket: Public transport costs can add up here, but you can pay a flat fee to get unlimited rides and a semester ticket. If you're commuting small distances, you might find that a bike is just as cheap.
5. Shop Smart: Always use a loyalty card when you're shopping at the supermarket and shop with cashback apps. You can save money on toiletries or clothing when buying during a sale, and winter clothing will be necessary!
6. Work Part-Time: As an international student you have plenty of rights: you can work 120 full days and 240 half days; tutoring and waitressing jobs can pay between €10 - €15/hour; keep your budget afloat!
7. Apply for Assistance: You should look into applying for federal financial aid through BAföG or scholarships through DAAD or Deutschlandstipendium. They can help fund your living and study costs
Leipzig: Leipzig is well-known for being artsy, generally with low rent prices of €379/month, and a busy student life scene. Leipzig is less expensive than Berlin but still maintains a lively vibe.
- Bochum: Bochum is located in the Ruhr region in Germany where renting is easier to afford at €350/month on average and there are many hospitals for your Ausbildung placement.
- Kiel: An attractive coastal city that rents are also subdued at €400/month on average and offers its own maritime laid-back feel. Suitable if you love nature and are looking to save money.
- Bremen: This historic city offers moderately priced living costs at €400/month to rent and is home to a welcoming student community.
- Halle (Saale): Halle is also a real cultural place with rents that are cheap at €350/month, and good universities for your nursing Ausbildung.
Don't choose to go to one of the more expensive cities such as Munich (€1,115/month rental) or Stuttgart unless you are well-funded or have a big stipend. There are often also more hospitals in smaller towns, so you may qualify for funding on your insurance or rental.
German Language: You'll need B1 or B2 knowledge to apply. You'll want to start learning right away with Affiniks study abroad. When it comes to hospitals, it is very important that you can communicate, so practice is important.
- Visa Process: You will need a student visa, with it you need to prove that you have the funds (~€11,208 in a blocked bank account for your first year). If paper work is too confusing there are recruitment companies like Magic Billion that can help you with this process.
- Work Culture: The work culture in Germany is very rigid and compared to India it feels like you need to adjust to a totally different way of working life. You will have a lot to readjust to, like the cold winters, so buy a nice jacket for warmth!
- Spices and Groceries: Across Germany you can find Asian shops with spices and lentils, though they tend to be a bit more expensive than in India. If you want to cook Indian at home, expect to spend an additional €20-€30 per month.
- Community of Support: Check if there are any clubs for Indian students (especially if you are going to a metropolitan area like Berlin or Leipzig). Often we will share links and information on good cheap food and cultural events.
- Pre-Paid Fees: Some of the agencies may charge fees for language training or visa support. Usually this costs around €1,000-€2,000, but I felt I got it back in my bank account within 6-8 months because of my stipend.
The Ausbildung Nursing in Germany for Indian Students nursing program in Germany is a game changer for Indian students - it's cheap, you get paid while you learn, and it leads to a fulfilling career in healthcare. With a stipend of €1,150 - €1,350/month, you can pay for living expenses (which range from €700 - €900/month) and likely save a little money if you budget wisely. If you stick to the less expensive cities (like Leipzig or Bochum), cook your meals at home, and use student discounts, you can keep your German student nurse expenses as low as possible. Yes, you will have to learn German and adapt to the culture, but it is worth it to have a nursing qualification that is recognized globally and great job security. Let’s go and learn German, make some plans, and prepare to start your nursing journey in Germany with Affiniks study abroad.
As a nurse in Germany the average cost of living is €900–€1,200 per month, depending on the city. These costs will include rent, food, transport, and personal expenses. Munich and Frankfurt (and other larger cities) are going to cost more than smaller towns.
When completing a nursing Ausbildung (vocational training), you will receive a monthly stipend. You can expect the following average monthly amounts (which will vary depending on individual hospitals, regional cost-of-living, etc.):
1st year: €1,190–€1,250/month
2nd year: €1,250–€1,350/month
3rd year: €1,350–€1,500/month
Absolutely! Nursing Ausbildung in Germany is highly regarded and provides practical hands-on training, a monthly stipend while in training, and a direct path to a stable, well-paying job. It's also a great route for international students to join the German health care system.
In Germany, Ausbildung students earn between €1,190 and €1,500 per month, which will vary depending on the year of training and hospital sector (hospital, elderly care, etc.).