How Filipino Students Can Finance Their Studies in Germany
Many Filipino students dream of studying abroad. Yet, this dream often feels out of reach because of the financial challenges that come with it. We’ve got you — and we have the solution to make your study abroad dream a reality.
The first step is to rethink your initial study abroad destinations. Instead of the U.S., Australia, Canada, or the U.K., consider GERMANY — a country that’s far more affordable thanks to tuition-free universities, while still offering world-class education, over 350 fully English-taught programs, stable visa regulations, and excellent career opportunities after graduation.
Studying in Germany is still a financial decision, but with proper planning, it’s absolutely achievable. This guide walks you through all the practical ways to fund your studies and start your journey toward Germany with confidence.
Understanding the Real Costs of Studying in Germany
Unlike other study abroad destinations such as the U.S., U.K., Canada, or Australia, tuition fees for international students at German universities are only a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere. This makes studying in Germany far more accessible for Filipino students.
Living costs — including rent, groceries, and health insurance — also remain relatively low while maintaining high quality.
In total, you can expect yearly expenses between 10,500€ and 16,000€ ( ≈ ₱698,250 - ₱1,064,000), depending on where you live and your personal lifestyle.
👉🏼 Curious about the details? Check out our blog article comparing study costs in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Germany.
Where it Begins: The Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)
If you’re fortunate enough to be admitted to a German university, one key requirement for your student visa is the blocked account (Sperrkonto). This account serves as proof that you can financially support yourself while living and studying in Germany.
The current required deposit is 11,904€ ( ≈ ₱813,450) per year, which equals 992€ ( ≈ ₱67,750) per month. It’s important to understand that the blocked account is not a fee, but a deposit that you can use once you arrive in Germany. Each month, you can withdraw up to 992€ to cover your expenses like rent or groceries. Depending on your personal lifestyle and city, this amount can already be enough to cover most or even all of your living costs while studying in Germany.
👉🏼 TaiGer has official partnerships with Fintiba and Expatrio, two trusted and government-approved financial service providers that help international students securely open a blocked account and manage all required financial documents with ease.
The Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) isn’t a cost — it’s a refundable deposit for your living expenses.
International students must first prove they can finance their stay in Germany. The money in your blocked account isn’t lost — it’s yours to cover living expenses once you arrive in Germany.
Student Loan & Family Assistance
If you don’t have enough savings to open a blocked account, student loans can help cover your initial expenses. In the Philippines, options include SSS and GSIS Educational Loans, as well as CHED’s UniFAST program and private bank loans from BPI or Security Bank. While most of these loans are meant for local studies, some students use them to fund their blocked account or first months in Germany.
For many Filipino students, family support also plays an important role. Parents or relatives often contribute part of the initial deposit for the blocked account or help with monthly living costs until the student can find part-time work in Germany. Some families treat it as a shared investment — helping the student get started abroad, with the understanding that stability and opportunities in Germany will benefit everyone in the long run.
Scholarships: Free Money You Don’t Have to Pay Back
Germany offers many scholarships open to Filipino students — both merit-based and need-based. Here are the main ones:
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) – for master’s and postgraduate students in various fields
Deutschlandstipendium – 300€/month from universities and private donors
Erasmus+ – for exchange or full master’s programs
Political foundations – like Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, supporting motivated students with leadership or community experience
Private and company-sponsored grants – e.g. Bayer Foundation or ESMT Women in Business Scholarship
👉🏼 Looking for a scholarship? TaiGer can help you build a powerful, well-crafted application that stands out and maximizes your chances of success.
Working as a Student: Part-Time Jobs and Internships
Germany allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during semester breaks.
The best part? Germany’s minimum wage will be around 14€ ( ≈ ₱960) per hour by 2026. This means you can earn approximately 1,200€ ( ≈ ₱82,000) per month with a part-time job and 2,400€ ( ≈ ₱164,000) per month when working full-time during breaks. Many companies even offer higher pay, sometimes 20 - 25€ ( ≈ ₱1,360 - ₱1,700) per hour, to attract skilled and motivated students. Beyond the financial benefit, part-time work also helps you gain valuable practical experience, something that makes a real difference in your employability after graduation.
Working while studying can be demanding, but it’s very common — even among German students. Many extend their studies by one or two semesters to balance work and academics. Some take a semester off to work full-time and save for the following term.
👉🏼 TaiGer also assists students in finding suitable part-time or internship opportunities in Germany.
Example: How Students Manage Monthly Finances
Here is a simple example of how international students typically manage their finances in Germany:
Average monthly cost of 1,150€ can typically be covered by the blocked account, small family support, and income from a part-time job (15h/week).
👉🏼 TaiGer can help you identify universities and cities where living costs are below average to reduce financial pressure even further — without compromising on educational quality.
Smart Strategy for Filipino Students
Studying in Germany is a life-changing opportunity — but success depends on good preparation and smart decisions. Here’s how Filipino students can plan wisely:
Start early. Begin saving for your blocked account as soon as possible. Consider asking family members for support or checking your student loan options in the Philippines.
Apply for scholarships. Take advantage of opportunities like DAAD or Deutschlandstipendium. A strong, well-crafted application can greatly reduce your financial burden — TaiGer can help you build one that stands out.
Work (part-time) once in Germany. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during semester break. This helps cover living costs, builds professional experience, and boosts your employability after graduation.
Take a trusted partner with you. Studying abroad isn’t always easy. It takes commitment, resilience, and is still an investment — even in Germany. But with the right strategy and a trusted partner by your side, it’s absolutely possible, and it can open doors to the life you’ve always dreamed of.
TaiGer will help you secure admission to your dream university, guide you through every step, and share insider tips on how to thrive in Germany — so you can minimize risks, avoid common traps, and focus on what truly matters: building your future.
