Last updated: By Kumar Ashish, German Campus
Your first German winter can feel like a shock. It gets dark before 5 pm, the sky stays grey for weeks and the pavement turns into an ice rink overnight. The good news: with the right clothes, a few habits and a plan for the dark months, winter in Germany is cosy, affordable and even fun. This guide gives you exactly that, based on what we see new international students struggle with every year.
Quick answer: how to survive winter in Germany
- Dress in layers: thermal base layer, warm middle layer, waterproof jacket, shoes with grip.
- Heat smart: about 20°C in your living space and air your room 3 to 4 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes to avoid mould.
- Get daylight every day around midday. Ask a doctor before taking vitamin D.
- Plan for ice and delays: leave earlier, avoid cycling on icy days.
- Do not hide alone: university sports, Christmas markets and friends make the dark months easier.
What winter in Germany is really like
Winter usually runs from November to March, with the coldest weeks between December and February. In many cities, temperatures hover around 0 to 5°C, but cold spells can bring -10°C or lower, especially in the south and east. The north and west often get more rain and grey skies than snow.
What surprises most newcomers is not the cold but the darkness. Around 21 December, Hamburg gets less than eight hours of daylight, with sunset around 4 pm. Many days are cloudy, so you may hardly see the sun for a week.
| German word | Meaning | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Glatteis | Black ice | Weather warnings and news |
| Streusalz / Splitt | Road salt / grit | Seen on pavements after frost |
| Schneeregen | Sleet | Common in northern Germany |
| Heizung | Heating | Talk to your landlord or WG |
| Stoßlüften | Short, full airing | The German way to prevent mould |
| Winterreifen | Winter tyres | If you drive or use car sharing |
What to wear: the layer system
You do not need an expedition jacket. You need layers you can take off in a hot tram or lecture hall.
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- Base layer: thermal underwear or a long-sleeve top (Thermounterwäsche), from about €15.
- Middle layer: a fleece or wool jumper.
- Outer layer: a waterproof, windproof jacket with a hood. Rain is more common than snow in many cities.
- Shoes: waterproof boots with a grippy sole. Smooth soles are dangerous on ice.
- Small things: gloves, a scarf and a hat (Mütze). Germans really wear them.
Buy your winter clothes in Germany rather than at home: they suit the climate and prices are fair at Decathlon, Primark, TK Maxx and C&A. Second-hand on Vinted, Kleinanzeigen or in Humana shops is even cheaper, and January sales cut prices a lot.
Heating your room without a huge bill
Most dorms and many WGs include heating in the rent (warm rent). In a private flat, heating is part of your utility costs (Nebenkosten) and you may get a big bill the following year if you overheat.
- Keep living spaces at about 20°C and the bedroom at 17 to 18°C, as Germany’s Federal Environment Agency recommends. On most radiator dials, level 3 is roughly 20°C.
- Stoßlüften: open the windows fully for 5 to 10 minutes, three to four times a day, instead of leaving them tilted all day. This removes moisture and prevents mould, which landlords can charge you for.
- Do not cover radiators with furniture or drying clothes.
- Avoid plug-in electric heaters. They make your electricity bill explode.
Darkness, winter blues and vitamin D
Many international students feel tired, low or homesick in winter. That is normal, and you can do a lot about it.
- Daylight: go outside for at least 20 to 30 minutes around midday, even when it is cloudy.
- Vitamin D: according to the German Nutrition Society, the sun in Germany is too weak from about October to March for your skin to produce enough vitamin D. Ask your doctor before taking supplements, as too much can be harmful.
- Routine: fixed sleep times, regular meals and sport. University sports (Hochschulsport) are cheap and a great way to meet people.
- Light lamp: a daylight lamp (Tageslichtlampe) costs about €30 to €60 and helps some people in the morning.
If you feel down for more than two weeks, lose interest in everything or have dark thoughts, please talk to someone. Your university’s counselling service is free, and the Telefonseelsorge is available 24/7 and free of charge on 0800 111 0 111. You can also use our free student mental health support.
Staying healthy in flu season
- If you need a doctor outside opening hours and it is not an emergency, call 116 117. In an emergency, call 112.
- Pharmacies take turns covering nights and weekends (Apothekennotdienst). Every pharmacy door shows the nearest open one.
- If you are sick on an exam day, you usually need a medical certificate for your exam office. Check your university’s rules before the exam period.
- If you have a job, tell your employer on the first day you are ill. Many employers want a doctor’s note from the fourth day, some earlier.
Getting around safely in ice and snow
- Plan extra time. Trains and buses are often delayed in snow, so do not book tight connections for exams or interviews.
- Avoid cycling on icy days. Bike falls are one of the most common winter injuries.
- Check your rental contract or house rules: in many buildings, tenants must clear snow and spread grit on the pavement in front of the house (Räum- und Streupflicht). If someone slips because you did not, you can be held liable.
- If you drive or use car sharing: in wintry conditions, winter or all-season tyres are mandatory, and fines start at €60.
Make winter the best part of your year
Germans do not hide from winter, they make it cosy (gemütlich). Join them.
- Christmas markets: in 2026, Aachen and Munich open on 20 November, Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt and Frankfurt on 23 November, Dresden’s Striezelmarkt on 25 November and Nuremberg on 27 November. Try Kinderpunsch if you do not drink alcohol.
- Traditions: St. Martin’s lantern walks on 11 November, Advent Sundays and Nikolaus on 6 December.
- Indoors: ice rinks, thermal baths and saunas, museums, board game nights in your WG.
- Plan the holidays: shops close on 25 and 26 December and on 1 January, so buy food in advance. Many international students feel lonely over Christmas, so invite friends or join events from your university or student union.
Winter budget: what you will spend
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Winter jacket | €40 to €120 |
| Waterproof boots | €40 to €100 |
| Thermal layers, gloves, hat, scarf | €30 to €60 |
| Daylight lamp (optional) | €30 to €60 |
| An evening at a Christmas market | €15 to €30 |
Second-hand and January sales can cut these costs by half. Plan your monthly budget with our student budget calculator.
Your winter checklist
- ☐ Layered clothes and shoes with grip
- ☐ Check if heating is included in your rent
- ☐ Air your room 3 to 4 times a day
- ☐ Daily daylight walk and a fixed routine
- ☐ Save 116 117, 112 and 0800 111 0 111 in your phone
- ☐ Check your house rules for snow clearing
- ☐ Plan Christmas: food shopping and people to meet
Frequently asked questions
How cold does it get in Germany in winter?
In most cities, daytime temperatures are around 0 to 5°C. Cold spells can bring -10°C or less, especially in Bavaria, Saxony and Thuringia. Wind and humidity often make it feel colder than it is.
Does it snow everywhere in Germany?
No. The mountains and the south get the most snow. In cities like Hamburg, Cologne or Bremen, winters are often wet and grey with only a few snowy days.
Should I bring a heavy jacket from home?
Usually not. Jackets bought in Germany are made for the local weather and are not expensive. Bring a few warm layers for your first days and buy the rest here.
Do I need vitamin D supplements?
Many people in Germany have low vitamin D in winter, but whether you need supplements and how much should be decided with a doctor after a check.
What can I do if I feel lonely or depressed in winter?
Talk to friends, join university sports or clubs, and use your university counselling service. The Telefonseelsorge on 0800 111 0 111 is free and available 24/7.
Related guides and free tools
- Cost of living in Germany for students
- Loneliness as an international student
- Free student mental health support
- All 18 free student tools
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