Life in Germany

Student shopping in Germany: where to buy what

Groceries, Pfand, furniture, student discounts, prepaid SIM, second-hand, and consumer rights for international students in Germany.

Summary: Food is cheapest at discounters (Aldi, Lidl, Penny, Netto) and supermarket own brands. Toiletries and cleaning products are at drugstores (dm, Rossmann). Furniture comes from IKEA, JYSK, Poco, or second-hand on Kleinanzeigen. Shops close on Sundays in every state. Prepaid SIMs need ID under §172 TKG. Online purchases from businesses carry a 14-day withdrawal right; shops are not legally required to take back items that are not faulty.

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Where to buy what

Where to buy things in Germany as a student: food at discounters, toiletries at dm or Rossmann, furniture at IKEA or second-hand. Sunday hours explained.

Grocery shopping

Grocery shopping in Germany for students: discounters vs Rewe and Edeka, loyalty apps in 2026, €0.25 Pfand, tap water, and Indian groceries online.

Furnish a room

Furnish a student room in Germany cheap: IKEA Family perks, delivery prices, the Zweite-Chance-Markt, JYSK, Poco, Kleinanzeigen, and Type F plugs.

Student discounts

Student discounts Germany 2026: verified prices for Spotify, Apple, Prime Student, BahnCard, ISIC, Mensa, banking, and mobile, plus what proof works.

Prepaid SIM

Prepaid SIM card Germany students guide: passport ID check under §172 TKG, ALDI TALK vs Lidl Connect vs congstar vs fraenk, contract rules, and paying.

Returns and warranty

Consumer rights Germany online shopping guide: 14-day withdrawal, no shop return right, 2-year warranty, Kleinanzeigen scams, and Black Friday.

Cost of living

Monthly costs for students in Germany in 2026. Rent, food, transport, insurance by city. Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Leipzig and more. Budget tips.

Semester ticket

Semester ticket vs Deutschlandticket for students in Germany 2026: Deutschlandsemesterticket price, Semesterbeitrag, ICE rules, and how to check your uni.

WG viewing and contract

WG viewing Germany international students: who the landlord is, the deposit cap, the contract, and the papers you need on move-in day.

German bank account

How to open a Girokonto in Germany as an international student after Anmeldung: documents, N26 vs Sparkasse, SCHUFA, Steuer-ID, and Sperrkonto payouts.

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