Almost all the products that students need in everyday life are readily available in Chile. Exchange students can expect a huge range of local and imported goods in supermarkets, shopping centers and weekly markets. But how expensive is shopping while studying abroad in Chile compared to Germany?
In order to be able to calculate the cost of living for studying in Chile in advance, the following article provides information about the price level of everyday products, rental and transport costs . Because in addition to food, hygiene articles and clothing, rent is a significant cost factor while studying abroad in Chile. The rent is based in particular on the location, facilities and whether you live alone or with roommates.
Not as high as in the USA or Australia , but still a decisive cost factor are the tuition fees. However, especially for short stays abroad such as a semester abroad, these can be financed with the help of state subsidies such as BAföG abroad .
Rent and housing costs in Chile
The amount of living costs in Chile is determined in particular by the rent. Depending on how and where the students imagine their accommodation , there is a wide range in terms of the rental price.
The location of the place of residence plays a major role in the cost of living in Chile. The capital Santiago in particular attracts many exchange students. That is why the apartments there are on average more expensive than in the rest of the country. The amount of the rental price also depends on the type of accommodation . For example, if students want to live in a single apartment in the center of one of Chile’s major cities, it will be relatively expensive.
The rent for a one-room apartment in Santiago, for example, is around 370 euros. In contrast, students pay significantly less if they choose to live in a shared apartment in one of the suburbs of the big cities. In the suburbs of Santiago, students pay around 230 euros for a room in a shared apartment with 3 people.
In addition to the rent, additional costs such as heating, electricity, water, W-LAN and garbage collection are also due. If the room or apartment is not furnished, there are also costs for purchasing furniture. A deposit is often required for a room in a shared apartment or a single apartment.
There is also the possibility of living in a room in the student residence of the respective university in Chile. Here supply and demand determine the price, so that it is often cheaper for students in large cities to look for a place to live privately. Students can also choose from the inexpensive option of accommodation with a host family . One advantage of this option is that full or half board is usually included in the rental price.
| Monthly rental costs | Monthly costs for electricity, gas, water and garbage disposal | Monthly internet connection costs | |
| Shared room | EUR 180-250 | Share of the total amount of EUR 50-110 | Share of the total amount of EUR 10-25 |
| Dormitory | EUR 250-500 | Partly included in the rental price | Partly included in the rental price |
| host family | EUR 150-250 | Usually included in the rental price | Usually included in the rental price |
Food costs in Chile
By Latin American standards, the cost of food in Chile is relatively high. Compared to European price standards, however, you live a little cheaper in Chile. Depending on where you shop and what goes into your shopping basket every week, German exchange students can plan a monthly financial outlay for meals ranging from EUR 110 to EUR 230 per month. The following overview gives examples of food prices in Chile :
| product | costs |
| 1 white bread | EUR 0.95 |
| 1 liter of milk | EUR 1.00 |
| 1.5 liter bottle of water | EUR 1.16 |
| 1 kilo of apples | EUR 1.00 |
| 200 grams of mild Chanco (Chilean cheese) | EUR 1.20 |
| Imported beer in the restaurant (0.5l) | EUR 2.00 |
Costs for things to do in Chile
Especially if students want to enjoy the many festivals, markets and sights in Chile while studying , a budget should be created for this. The budget share should not be calculated too tightly, especially if students plan to travel to different parts of the country.
The most famous festivals include, for example, the Festival International de la Canción in Valparaiso and Santiago, Fiesta Tapati on the Easter Islands or the Santiago International Film Festival. The diverse nature in Chile also invites you to practice a wide variety of sports. Skiing, surfing and hydrospeeding are therefore particularly popular with Chileans .
| Ventures | costs |
| Eating out in an inexpensive restaurant | EUR 5.70 |
| Eating out in the upscale restaurant with a 3 course menu | EUR 26.00 |
| Short-haul ticket in Santiago | From EUR 0.90 |
| short taxi ride (3 km) | From EUR 3.50 |
Transport costs in Chile
With the monthly expenses for the cost of living in Chile, the expenses for transport costs are quite low . Public transport in Chile is cheap to very cheap, depending on the chosen study location. In the metropolises there is usually a good transport network with subways or trams . Everywhere in Chile buses or long-distance buses are used to get to the desired destination. In the long-distance buses, the price often includes the use of W-LAN and sometimes even food and drink for long journeys.
On average, a bus ticket for a short distance costs around one euro. A short distance with the subway or tram can be a bit more expensive. It is most worthwhile to get ten or monthly tickets. Compared to Germany, it is cheaper to take a taxi in Chile.
Communication costs within Chile
Due to the roaming fees outside the European Union, it is worthwhile to conclude a prepaid or mobile phone contract with a Chilean provider for studying abroad. By using the mobile internet of a Chilean cell phone tariff , students avoid having to pay high roaming charges away from the W-LAN spots . Depending on the provider in Chile, there are also cell phone or prepaid contracts at student rates for students.
To keep in touch with family and friends in Germany, students can use the Internet. With free software such as Skype or Whatsapp Call, students stay connected to the most important people via video conference, chat or telephone call .
Health care costs in Chile
Anyone who spends a semester abroad should also be covered in the event of a medical emergency. For this reason, it is advisable to take out health insurance for studying abroad. The international health insurance is not only important for local medical care, but also for the return transport to Germany.
