Location Munich

As a general rule, LMU does not charge tuition fees for regular degree programmes – including for students from non-EU countries. However, all students are required to pay the Student Services fee each semester. In addition, students need to cover their personal expenses for accommodation, health insurance, food, mobility, study materials, and leisure activities.

LMU currently recommends a monthly budget of approximately €1,500 for living in Munich. Accommodation is usually the largest expense. You should also budget for one-off costs such as a rental deposit, travel to Munich, temporary accommodation, initial purchases, and, where applicable, visa or residence permit fees.

Important: PULSE is a support, qualification, and networking programme and not a general full scholarship. Certain PULSE activities may be funded through project resources. However, participants remain responsible for financing their regular living expenses and, where required, providing proof of sufficient financial resources.

Further Links:
Fees and Tuition Fees at LMU
Cost of Living in Munich - LMU

All enrolled students are required to pay the Student Services fee upon enrolment and subsequently with each re-registration. It currently amounts to €97 per semester (as of August 2026). Timely payment is a prerequisite for enrolment and re-registration.

A mandatory semester transport ticket is currently not included in this fee. The LMUcard therefore does not automatically serve as a public transport ticket within the Munich transport network. Instead, enrolled students can subscribe separately to the discounted Deutschlandticket for students. In 2026, this costs €43 per month and must be renewed for each semester by providing proof of current student status.

As fees and ticket prices may change, the current information provided by LMU should always be consulted before enrolment or re-registration.

Further Links:
Current amount of the student union contribution - LMU
Discounted Deutschlandticket for students

Housing in Munich is in very high demand. You should therefore begin your search several months before your planned start of studies or doctoral research, particularly if you are starting in the winter semester. In addition to Student Services residences, options include private student residences, shared apartments, sublets, and accommodation in the greater Munich area.

According to LMU, rooms in student residences often cost approximately €400 to €600 per month, including utilities. For a room on the private housing market, you should budget approximately €700 to €1,000 per month, depending on location and facilities. Only a small proportion of Munich students live in student residences, so an application for student housing should always be accompanied by a parallel search on the private market.

PULSE provides selected talents with individual support in developing a housing search strategy, navigating the Munich housing market and, where necessary, organising temporary accommodation. However, a permanent room in a student residence or a particular apartment cannot be guaranteed.

When considering private offers, be aware of possible scams. Do not transfer a deposit or rent until you have reliably verified both the offer and the landlord. In German rental advertisements, “Kaltmiete” refers to the basic rent excluding utilities, while “Warmmiete” generally includes part of the additional costs. A security deposit of up to three months’ basic rent may also be required.

Further Link:
Living in Munich - LMU

Adequate health insurance coverage is mandatory for studying in Germany. Before enrolment, students must arrange for a German statutory health insurance provider to electronically transmit confirmation of their insurance status to LMU. LMU’s sender number is H0001279.

Students insured in an EU or EEA country generally present their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or an equivalent certificate to a German statutory health insurance provider. Students with private health insurance must also initially contact a statutory health insurance provider so that, where applicable, the exemption from mandatory statutory insurance can be reported to LMU. Different documentation requirements may apply to doctoral candidates upon enrolment; however, adequate insurance coverage is still required for visa and residence permit purposes.

The amount of the insurance contribution depends, among other factors, on the type of insurance, age, and individual status. You should therefore clarify the appropriate coverage at an early stage. Travel health insurance alone is generally not sufficient for a longer period of study in Germany.

Further Link:
Proof of Health Insurance at LMU

LMU currently recommends a total budget of approximately €1,500 per month for living and studying in Munich. As a general guideline, the following amounts can be expected:

• Room on the private housing market including utilities: approximately €700 to €1,000 per month
• Room in a student residence including utilities: approximately €400 to €600 per month
• Food, health insurance, and leisure activities: approximately €500 per month in total
• Discounted Deutschlandticket for students: €43 per month in 2026
• Student Services fee: currently €97 per semester

Actual expenses depend considerably on accommodation, insurance status, and personal lifestyle. You should also set aside funds for a rental deposit, initial purchases, study materials, travel, and administrative fees. The amounts listed are intended as guidance only and do not constitute a binding cost estimate.

Further Link:
Current cost of living - LMU

Students from countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland are generally required to demonstrate sufficient financial resources when applying for a student visa or residence permit. Accepted forms of proof may include a blocked account, a recognised scholarship certificate, or a formal declaration of commitment.

For 2026, the standard minimum amount required for a blocked account is €11,904. The amount and accepted forms of proof may change and may be assessed individually by the responsible German diplomatic mission or immigration authority. You should therefore obtain information from the authority responsible for your place of residence at an early stage.

Participation in PULSE does not automatically replace this proof of financial resources. PULSE funds selected programme activities but generally does not provide a fixed monthly allowance covering living expenses throughout the entire duration of a degree programme or doctorate.

Further Links:
Visa to study - Make it in Germany
Residence Permit for Study Purposes - Landeshauptstadt München