FAQ & Survival Guide (2026-2027 Edition)
Mastering the finances and logistics of student life in Germany.
1. Blocked Account Simulator
€
| Month | Opening | Payout | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | €11,904 | €992 | €10,912 |
| Month 2 | €10,912 | €992 | €9,920 |
| Month 3 | €9,920 | €992 | €8,928 |
| Month 4 | €8,928 | €992 | €7,936 |
| Month 5 | €7,936 | €992 | €6,944 |
| Month 6 | €6,944 | €992 | €5,952 |
| Month 7 | €5,952 | €992 | €4,960 |
| Month 8 | €4,960 | €992 | €3,968 |
| Month 9 | €3,968 | €992 | €2,976 |
| Month 10 | €2,976 | €992 | €1,984 |
| Month 11 | €1,984 | €992 | €992 |
| Month 12 | €992 | €992 | €0 |
*Month 1 includes any excess amount deposited. Months 2-12 cap at €992.
2. Part-Time Work Guide
140Full Days / Year
280Half Days / Year
Mini-Job (2026 Limit)
- Limit: Strict €603/month.
- Taxes: 0% Tax, 0% Deductions.
- Verdict: Good for pocket money, bad for saving.
Werkstudent (Limit 20h/week)
- Income: > €603. No upper limit!
- Wage: Min €13.9/hr in 2026.
- Reality: Income Tax is usually €0 if you earn under ~€1,008/mo.
Trusted German Portals:
Money Matters
Step 1: Choose your Destination
Total Income
Blocked Acct€992
Adjustable
Job (Net)€1,092
Working: 20 hours/week
0h10h20h (Max)
TOTAL€2,084
Est. Expenses
Based on Tier 2
Rent (WG)€600
Food/Groceries€220
Insurance€125
Transport/Net€79
TOTAL€1,024
Monthly Savings
+€1,060
Safe ZoneIncome:€2,083.792
Expenses:-€1,024
Net Flow:€1,060
Housing Survival
Top Platforms:
GERMAN EMAIL TEMPLATE
"Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, ich interessiere mich für Ihr WG-Zimmer..."
Scam Red Flags
- "I am abroad": Landlord says they are in UK/Spain and will mail keys.
- Western Union: Asking for deposit via money transfer services.
- Airbnb Link: Sending a fake Airbnb link to pay.
- ID Theft: Asking for your passport copy before viewing.
- Too Cheap: A luxury apartment in Munich for €400? It's a scam.
2026-2027 EditionResearch Backed
Pre-Departure Manifesto
The ultimate checklist for a smooth landing in Germany.
Start Now
Action Required
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Phase 1: The Paper Fortress
Visa & Bureaucracy
Phase 2: First 72 Hours
Survival Mode
Phase 3: Kitchen & Home
Save Money
Phase 4: The Onion Strategy
Clothing Layers
Phase 5: Tech & Parents
Peace of Mind
Parental Anxiety Relief
Remind them: Incoming Insurance covers you from the moment you land. You are safe.
The Red Zone (Verboten)
Illegal Torrenting
Zero tolerance. Fines start at €900. Use Netflix/Prime only.
Walking on Bike Lanes
Cyclists are aggressive. You will get yelled at or hit.
Jaywalking (Red Man)
Socially shamed. Even at 2 AM, Germans wait for Green.
Sunday Noise
Ruhezeit (Quiet Time). No vacuuming/drilling on Sundays.
Late Arrival
Being 5 mins late is considered rude and disorganized.
The Culture Code
Directness != Rudeness
Germans are efficient. 'No' means 'No'. Don't take it personally.
The 'Lüften' Obsession
Open windows wide for 5 mins daily (Stoßlüften) to prevent mold.
Cash is King
Apple Pay fails often. Bakeries & Kiosks love 'Bargeld' (Cash).
Pfand (Recycling)
Don't crush bottles! You get €0.25 back per plastic bottle.
Sie vs. Du
Always use formal 'Sie' with strangers/professors.