Studying in China vs. Germany
China and Germany are both popular study destinations — but the price tag, visa rules, and currency differ. We pulled the numbers from our cost calculator: monthly living averages €552 in China and €1,439 in Germany.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Germany
Cheaper monthly living
China
Lower visa proof of funds
Germany
Side-by-side comparison
China
Germany
Currency
CNY (¥)
EUR (€)
Public tuition (annual)
¥26,000
≈ €3,302 / yr
€0
Private tuition (annual)
¥45,000
≈ €5,715 / yr
€20,000
Monthly living (city avg)
¥4,343 / mo
≈ €552 / mo
€1,439 / mo
Visa proof of funds
¥100,000
Bank balance proof (annual, X1/X2 visa)
€11,904
Sperrkonto (annual)
Cities tracked
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing
Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Leipzig
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.