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In addition to daily expenses, as a student you also have to pay for special experiences that make your stay in Germany unique. But you don't need a fortune to be active or go out often. Your student ID card offers you numerous opportunities to save money.

How you can live frugally

You can buy groceries cheaply at discounters like Aldi, Lidl and Netto. It's worth keeping an eye on special offers and comparing prices to save money. You can find information online about the current offers from various supermarkets, drugstores, department stores and hardware stores. The shops near your university or college often offer good prices for office supplies such as highlighters, staplers and ink cartridges.

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​On certain days, some hairdressers and barbershops offer discounts for students. Students can also take advantage of the sports facilities offered by their universities and benefit from special membership rates at gyms.

Store opening hours in Germany

Shop opening hours in Germany vary depending on location. In city centers, shops are usually open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week, while supermarkets are often open longer, sometimes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you are visiting smaller towns at the weekend, be sure to check local opening hours in advance.

Most shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays. However, in larger cities there are smaller supermarkets and kiosks that also sell everyday goods on Sundays. If these are closed, the usually more expensive grocery departments in gas stations offer an alternative. Many bakeries are also open on Sundays.

Student ID

It is a good idea to always have your student card with you. This gives you reduced entry to theaters, cinemas, swimming pools and museums. You also benefit from cheaper prices on newspaper subscriptions, computer software, mobile phone contracts and bank accounts.

If you are travelling abroad, you can save a lot on flight, train, museum and theater tickets with the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). The ISIC costs a one-off fee of 12 euros and is available from most student unions or selected travel agencies.

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