doITawesome!

What to know about Kiel?

​

 

THE CITY

​

Kiel is the capital and most populated city of the northernmost state of Germany Schleswig-Holstein, having north, the border with Denmark. The state is located between the North Sea (at the left) and the Baltic Sea (at the right), which gives it a unique variety in ecosystems, and also a very windy weather.

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its population is around 250,000 inhabitants.

 

It is an important sea transport hub, thanks to its location on the Kiel Fjord (Kieler Förde) and the busiest artificial waterway in the world, Kiel Canal, which connects the Norht Sea and the Baltic Sea (in german known as the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal).

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

The closest big city is Hamburg, located around 90 kms south. In time, a little more than 1 hour by train or bus.

​

According to the website weatherspark.com, the warm season lasts from June 3 to September 13 with an average daily high temperature above 19°C. The cold season lasts from November 20 to March 15 with an average daily high temperature below 7°C.

​

​

FEES AND COST OF LIVING

​

In order to plan properly your budget, here are some useful approximate information about costs of living:

​

Fixed one-time costs

​

• Residence permit cost: 100€ per issuance, it depends on the program and how long will you be here, it might be once per year for a full master study or once for the entire program (for more information about Residence permit, see here).

• Deposit -Kaution in German- 250-500€ (read more about housing here).

​

Fixed monthly costs

​

• Health insurance 85-180€ varies depending if you want to get a private or public health insurance, for more information about insurance, see here).

• Rent and home services 250-300€ (read more about housing here).

• Groceries, clothing and other expenses 150-300€ (read more about supermarkets and stores here and about where to buy other goods here).

• Monthly fee for radio and TV (Rundfunkbeitrag in German) 5-20€, find more information here.

• Total per month 440-705€

​

Variable costs (ore one-time)

​

• Bycicle 30-300€.

• Study materials, books 100€.

• Optional civil insurance (damages) 55€ per year.

​

The Deutsches Studentenwerk prepared a website with estimated living costs, that you might find useful! 

​

​

SUNDAYS

​

In Germany, Sundays are a resting day. This means pretty much everything, except for some restaurants will be closed on Sundays.

 

It is a bit strange at first, but you will get used to planning your shopping in advance and use Sundays to rest, know natural places nearby, go for a walk in the Fiord or to the beach on the sunny days.

 

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

DRINKING WATER

​

Tap water is safe to drink in here, that is important information for the first days!