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CyprusCost of a first year
Germany vs France: what a year of study costs
Germany is the cheaper of the two: about EUR 1,500 to 4,500 less for a first year.
fromup to Tuition, 12 months of living costs and the visa fee.
Side by side
| Figure |  Germany |  France |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition a year | EUR 200 to 700 | EUR 2,900 to 4,000 |
| Living costs, 12 months | EUR 9,600 to 18,000 | EUR 8,400 to 19,200 |
| Student visa fee | EUR 75 | EUR 99 |
| First year, all in | EUR 9,900 to 18,800 | EUR 11,400 to 23,200 |
| Money to show for the visa | EUR 11,900 | EUR 10,530 |
| Work during term | 20 hours a week | 20 hours a week |
| Stay to work after | 18 months | 1 year |
| Figures checked | 2026-09-24 | 2026-09-24 |
Every figure is from the Germany and France guides, where each one links to its official source with the date we checked it. Living costs are the published monthly range times twelve. Converted at the day's rate (2026-11-08). Rates by Exchange Rate API.
Questions
Is it cheaper to study in Germany or France?
Germany is the cheaper of the two: about EUR 1,500 to 4,500 less for a first year. A first year in Germany costs about EUR 9,900 to 18,800 and in France about EUR 11,400 to 23,200, counting tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee, from each country's official sources.
How much money do I need to show for a student visa in Germany and France?
Germany: EUR 11,900 a year. France: EUR 10,530 a year.