Bank Account and Money

Most students need approximately €650 per month to live in Regensburg, which includes the room's rent.

Per semester you need to estimate roughly €100 for books and at least €50 for other study materials. You need to add €114 for the Studentenwerk membership and the bus semester ticket, which all students have to purchase. Exchange students are exempted of the tuition fee (€500); however, for a maximum of two semesters.

Consider bringing enough cash or traveller's cheques with you to Germany to pay for all expenses you incur in the first month! It often takes up to two weeks for money transfers to be deposited in a German bank account. Bear in mind that you have to pay for your first month's of rent shortly after arrival.

After arrival in Regensburg, you must open a bank account ("Girokonto"; no savings account or "Sparkonto"). The Studentenwerk requires a German bank account for you to pay your rent.

Rent cannot - under no circumstances - be paid by credit card!

Bank are open most days between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm  and Thursdays until 5.30 pm. Some branches are closed between 1.00pm and 2.30 pm.

Cash is the preferred way to either pay for bills or purchases in Germany. Credit cards are not accepted at all retailers. For this reason, bring enough cash with you for the first few weeks. With your debit card and a pin number you can take out money from teller machines, and pay for purchases at several shops.

Eurocheques are not accepted anymore and traveller's cheques only can be cashed at banks.

Rent and insurance (does not apply for EHIC) must be paid through bank transfer.