Packing List for Indian Students Going to Germany

If you are planning to study in Germany, you will need to plan for more than just your move. Consider the weather, where you will stay, your course, and items that might not be easy or affordable to obtain when you get there. 

A packing list for Indian students going to Germany can be useful to help you take only those items that you really need and not unnecessary things which can be purchased there.

Here is a quick look at what this packing list covers:

Section	What it covers
Important documents	Passport, visa, admission letter, APS certificate and academic documents
Electronics	Laptop, phone, chargers, adapters and other study essentials
Clothing	Everyday clothes, winter wear, shoes and weather-specific essentials
Toiletries and personal care	Basic toiletries, skincare and other personal items
Medicines and health essentials	Regular medicines, prescriptions and basic first-aid items
Food and kitchen essentials	A few familiar Indian food items and useful kitchen basics
Financial essentials	Cash, cards and other essentials for your first few days
What not to pack	Items you do not need or should avoid carrying
Smart packing tips	Ways to use your baggage space wisely and prepare before departure

In the sections below, you will find a detailed packing list for Indian students going to Germany, covering what to carry from India, what to keep in your cabin bag and what you can leave behind.

Important Travel and Academic Documents for Germany Students

Your documents come before your clothes and gadgets, they go first in the bag when you pack for Germany. That is why it is best to first put the papers in order and then add the other items to your packing list for Germany.

The papers required can be divided into 5 sections and then it's easier to look at them one by one:

Type of Documents	List of Documents
Travel and visa	Passport, Germany Student Visa
University	Admission letter, accommodation confirmation or rental contract
Academic	Marksheets, degree certificates, academics transcripts, language test reports, APS certificate
Money and insurance	Blocked account confirmation, scholarship letter or loan papers, health insurance proof
Identity and extras	Aadhaar card, PAN card, 4 to 6 passport size photos, vaccination records

Some universities and offices in Germany also ask for certified translations of your certificates, usually in German or English. 

Important suggestion for Indian students: Scan every paper and save it in your email or a cloud drive, this will help you access your important documents even if they get lost.

Check out: Best Universities in Germany 

Electronics and Gadgets to Carry for Studying in Germany

Electronics are the easiest thing to overpack, because every gadget feels important when you're standing in front of an open suitcase. When you study in Germany, you’ll probably rely on your laptop, phone and a few other devices every day, so it helps to decide what you actually need before you start packing. 

The good news is that Germany runs on 230V power, the same as India, so your laptop and phone chargers will work without any converter. 

The only difference is the socket. Germany uses the Type F (Schuko) socket, and while the flat two-pin plugs on many Indian chargers fit into it, the three-pin ones don't.

Electronic Item	What to keep in mind
Laptop	Most courses need it from day one, so install your course software and back up your files before you fly.
Mobile phone	Get it unlocked, so a German SIM works right away. You can leave your Indian SIM at home.
Plug adapter	Keep it in your cabin bag, so you can charge your phone as soon as you reach.
Chargers and cables	Carry the original chargers and one spare cable, since cables break easily.
Power bank	Pack it in your cabin bag only, as airlines don't allow it in check-in luggage.
Earphones or headphones	Handy for online classes, calls back home and studying in the library.
Extension board	Optional, but useful if your room has only one or two sockets. You can buy it there.

Things like a mouse, a USB drive, a monitor or a hair dryer are easy to find in Germany, in shops like MediaMarkt, Saturn or even online, so you don't need to carry them. At the same time, if you already own a small item you like, such as good earphones or a mouse you're used to, it's fine to bring it along, since it takes almost no space.

Also Read: Study in Germany for free!  

Clothing Essentials for Germany’s Climate

Germany has four seasons, and this is something many Indian students don't expect. Summers are warm and nice, but winters are cold and grey, and the temperature is often close to zero, with snow in many cities. 

Most students reach Germany in September or October for the winter semester, or in March or April for the summer semester, so you will usually land just before the weather changes. This is why it's best to pack in layers, and not in one or two heavy pieces. 

Here is an idea of what you will need in spring, summer, autumn and winter:

Months	Germany Weather	What to pack
March to May	Cool mornings, mild afternoons, some rain	Light jackets Hoodies and full-sleeve tops Jeans A small umbrella
June to August	Warm to hot, with some sudden showers	T-shirts Shorts or light trousers Sunglasses and a cap Comfortable sneakers
September to November	Cool, windy and wet, and colder by November	Sweaters A medium jacket A scarf Closed shoes and a rain jacket
December to February	Cold, often near or below 0°C, with snow in some places	Thermals Woollen socks Sweaters Gloves, a cap and a warm scarf

Read more on intakes in Germany

Clothes you will need in any season

• A few everyday outfits like T-shirts, jeans and trousers, since you will wear these to class most days.
• One or two formal sets, for presentations, interviews and university events.
• A pair of waterproof walking shoes, because you will walk or cycle a lot, and it rains often, even in summer.
• A light rain jacket or a small umbrella, as the weather can change within a few hours.
• A couple of traditional outfits, for festivals and cultural events with other Indian students.

Check out: Cost of living in Germany  

Toiletries and Personal Care Essentials for Germany Students

You don't need to fill a suitcase with soap and shampoo, because Germany has plenty of drugstores and supermarkets. Shops like dm, Rossmann and Müller are found in almost every city, and they sell everything from toothpaste to skincare at fair prices. 

So for your first few weeks, small bottles are enough, and you can buy bigger ones once you know which shop is near your place.

Here is the list of toiletries and personal care items you should carry from India:

Type	What to pack
Daily basics	Toothbrush and toothpaste Soap or body wash Shampoo and conditioner A small towel
Skincare	Face wash Moisturiser (a rich one for winter, as the air is dry) Lip balm Sunscreen for summer
Personal care	Deodorant Comb or hairbrush Nail cutter Razor or shaving kit Sanitary products, if needed
Small extras	Wet wipes and tissues Cotton swabs Hair oil or face cream you can't do without

What you can buy after you reach

Most of these are easy to find and not costly, so you can skip carrying large bottles:

• Shampoo, body wash and soap
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Basic moisturisers and sunscreen
• Sanitary products and razors

That said, some Indian brands of hair oil, face creams or other products may be hard to find in regular German shops. If you can't do without one of them, carry a small amount for the first few months.

If you are carrying toiletries in your cabin bag

For international flights, two rules apply:

• Liquids, gels and creams must be in containers of 100 ml or less.
• All of them should be kept together in one clear, resealable plastic bag.

Medicines and Health Essentials for Indian Students in Germany

Falling sick in the first month is quite common, because the new food, the cold weather and the change in routine all hit your body at once. In Germany, even simple medicines like painkillers and cough syrups are sold only in pharmacies called Apotheke, and these shops close early and stay shut on Sundays. 

Here are the medicines and health items worth packing:

What you may need	What to carry
Your regular medicines	A supply for the first few weeks Prescription or doctor's letter in English, with the generic name of each medicine
Common illnesses	Paracetamol (Crocin or Dolo) Cough syrup or lozenges A basic cold and flu tablet ORS sachets and an antacid
Allergies	Your usual allergy tablet, like cetirizine Eye drops, if you get itchy eyes in spring
Small injuries	Band-aids and a bandage Antiseptic cream A thermometer

Before you pack, keep these points in mind

• Carry the medicines in a transparent pouch in your cabin bag, along with the prescription, so you can show them quickly if asked.
• Pack only what you need for yourself, which is normally up to 3 months.
• If you take anything strong, like medicines for sleep, anxiety, pain or ADHD, speak to your doctor first, as these may need extra papers.
• Pollen is high in German springs, so if you often get a runny nose in India around the same time, carry your usual tablet.

Food and Kitchen Essentials to Carry from India to Germany

Most Indian students in Germany end up cooking at home, because eating out is costly and a home-cooked meal also feels like comfort when you miss home. So it's natural to think about carrying some food and a few cooking things. 

But Germany follows the European Union's rules on food, and these are quite clear about what you can bring from outside the EU. This is why it helps to know the rules before you pack, so nothing gets taken away at the airport.

Here is what you can and can't carry:

Food Item	Allowed?	Packing Tips
Spices and masala powders	Yes	Carry sealed, labelled packets in small quantities
Packaged snacks and instant mixes	Yes	Choose sealed, commercially packed items and check the ingredients
Tea and coffee	Yes	Keep them in their original, sealed packaging
Dry fruits and nuts	Check before carrying	Pack them in sealed packets and declare them at the border if required
Pickles and chutneys	Check before carrying	Carry sealed jars or packets and pack them carefully to prevent leaks
Ghee and other dairy products	No	Avoid carrying ghee, paneer, milk powder and milk-based sweets
Meat, fish and egg products	No	Avoid fresh, dried, frozen or packaged meat, fish and egg products
Fresh fruits and vegetables	No	Do not pack fresh produce in your luggage

Note: Supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi also have the basics at low prices. So just carry enough for the first week and buy the rest after you settle in.

For the kitchen, a hostel or shared flat usually has the basic things already, so you only need a few small ones. Here is what is worth packing:

Item	Why
Small pressure cooker	Handy for rice and dal, but ask your landlord first if the stove is gas or induction.
Spatula, ladle and peeler	They weigh almost nothing.
Lunch box and water bottle	You will take food to the university quite often.
Masala dabba	It keeps your spices together and saves space.

Heavy things like big pots or a tawa set are not really worth carrying, since they eat up a lot of your baggage weight and you can buy them cheap at IKEA or from second-hand groups. Also, seniors often give away their kitchen things when they leave, so you may even get a few of them for free.

While packing the food, just keep it in sealed packets and place it on top of your bag, so you can take it out quickly if an officer asks to see it. And if you are not sure about some item, it's better to leave it at home, as it's not worth the trouble at the airport.

Financial Essentials for Indian Students in Germany

Money is one of those things students think about at the last minute, and then it gets stressful on day one. The good part is that you don't need much cash. Germany uses cards a lot, so a small amount of Euros and a card or two is enough to start with.

Here is what you should keep ready:

• Euro cash: EUR 100–150 (about INR 10,800–16,200) for your first few days
• Forex card: Loaded with some euros before departure
• International debit/credit card: Enabled for international transactions
• Bank contact details: Saved in case your card gets blocked
• Blocked account confirmation: Saved on your phone and email
• Blocked account login: Keep your login details accessible
• Extra funds: Money for rent deposit, groceries, transport and initial setup
• Emergency backup: Keep some cash or a second card separately

UPI is not widely used in Germany, and some small shops take only cash, so it's better to have both cash and a card in the beginning. 

Also, if you enter the EU with EUR 10,000 or more (about ₹10.83 lakh), or the same amount in any other currency, you have to declare it at customs. So it's best to carry only a little cash and keep the rest on your card or in your bank account.

What Not to Pack for Germany

Packing too much is the most common mistake students make, and with a baggage limit it can cost you real money at the airport. So before you close your suitcase, it helps to know what is better left behind, either because it's not worth the space or because Germany doesn't allow it.

Here is what you can skip:

Item	Why leave it at home	What to do instead
Heavy winter jackets and blankets	They take up half a suitcase	Buy them in Germany
Too many clothes	You will end up wearing the same few outfits	Pack for 2 to 3 weeks and add more later
Big pots, tawa sets and heavy cookware	They add a lot of weight	Buy at IKEA or second-hand, or take them from seniors
Bedsheets, pillows and towels	They are bulky and easy to find there	Buy them after you see your room
Large bottles of toiletries	They are heavy and may leak	Carry small bottles and buy bigger ones in Germany
Extra gadgets	Costly to carry and not needed at the start	Bring only your laptop, phone and basic accessories

Some things are not just a waste of space, they can also get you into trouble at the airport:

Item	What the problem is
Meat, fish and egg products	Not allowed from outside the EU, even when packed or dried
Milk products	Ghee, paneer, milk powder and milk sweets are not allowed
Medicines without a prescription	You may be asked to show papers, so carry the doctor's letter for anything you take regularly
Cash above EUR 10,000 (about ₹10.83 lakh)	You must declare it, and not doing so can lead to a fine
Knives, sharp tools and weapons	Not allowed in your cabin bag, and some are banned in Germany completely
Fake or counterfeit goods	Branded copies can be seized at customs
Alcohol and cigarettes above the duty-free limit	You will have to pay duty on the extra amount

If you are not sure about an item, it's best to ask your airline or check the German customs website before you pack, since it's much easier to sort this out at home than at the airport.

Smart Packing Tips for Students Going to Germany

Most packing problems start in the last two days, when everything gets done in a hurry. So if you sort out a few small things early, the whole journey becomes much easier. This is why we have put the tips below in three simple groups.

Timeline	What You Should Take Care
Before you start packing	Check your airline's baggage limit first, as it changes with each airline and ticket Make a list and tick things off as you pack Check the rules of your layover country, if your flight stops somewhere
While you pack	Weigh your bags at home with a small luggage scale Write your name, phone number and German address on every bag Leave a little space, since you will buy a jacket, bedding and groceries after you land
What goes in your cabin bag	Passport, visa, admission letter, insurance papers and blocked account details One set of clothes and a few basic toiletries, in case your suitcase gets late Medicines, power bank and chargers

A lot of students also save the list on their phone, like a Germany packing list pdf or a simple note, so they can check it anytime without carrying a paper.

Luggage To-Do List

It's easier to pack when you do it step by step, so here is a simple to-do list that you can follow, starting from the first day.

2 to 3 weeks before you fly

• Make your packing list and check the baggage rules
• Scan all your documents and save them in your email or on a drive
• Buy the small things you are missing, like a plug adapter

1 week before

• Pack your clothes, toiletries and kitchen items
• Keep your medicines and prescription together in one pouch
• Weigh your bags and take out the extra weight

1 to 2 days before

• Keep your documents folder ready in the cabin bag
• Charge your phone, laptop and power bank
• Click a photo of your bags and keep a copy of your ticket

On the day of travel

• Check your passport, visa and boarding pass once more
• Keep the cabin bag light, so it's easy to carry
• Reach the airport early, as international flights take more time

Conclusion

Packing for Germany is not about taking everything you own, it's about taking the right things. Your documents come first, and after that you can pack clothes for the weather, a few gadgets, your regular medicines and a little money. Food needs some care because of the EU rules, so keep it small and sealed. Most other things are easy to buy in Germany, so it's better to leave some free space in your bag.

So if you are making your own packing list for Germany from India, start early and keep checking your airline's baggage limit. Also, rules on baggage, food and cash can change from time to time, so please look at the official pages of your airline and German customs before you fly.

If you want to study abroad and need help with the university, the application or the visa, book a free 1:1 counselling session with our upGrad Abroad experts today!