Study in Germany for Free: Requirements, Costs and Steps

Can you study in Germany for free? At most public universities, yes, but “free” does not mean “no cost”. You still pay a semester contribution, you must show money for living costs, and some universities charge non-EU students tuition. This guide explains the real costs, the entry routes and the steps, with figures checked in October 2026. Rules change often, so always confirm each point on the official page before you act.

Can you really study in Germany for free?

For most programmes, the answer is yes. The DAAD, Germany’s academic exchange service, says there are generally no fees for bachelor’s courses or most master’s courses at state universities. Private universities, however, set their own fees. There are also two exceptions for students from outside the EU:

• Baden-Württemberg: public universities charge non-EU students €1,500 per semester, a rule in place since winter semester 2017/18.
• Bavaria: the state law allows universities to charge international students. For example, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has charged new non-EU students since winter 2024/25, usually €2,000 or €3,000 per semester for a bachelor’s degree, rising to €2,300 or €3,400 from winter 2027/28.

In short, you can study in Germany for free at most public universities, but only if you check the fee page of every university on your list.

What you still pay when you study in Germany for free

Free tuition covers only the teaching. Three other costs remain, and the visa office checks one of them closely.

Semester contribution

Every student pays a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag). According to the DAAD, it comes to between €70 and €430, depending on the university. It pays for student services and the student government, and it often includes a public transport ticket.

Blocked account: €11,904 a year in 2026

Most non-EU students prove their living costs with a blocked account (Sperrkonto). In 2026 you need €992 per month, so €11,904 for one year. The DAAD and the German embassies confirm this figure, which has applied since January 2025.

This amount follows the maximum rate of BAföG, Germany’s state student grant. A planned BAföG reform could raise that rate from April 2027. The government approved the draft in August 2026, but parliament had not passed it by October 2026. So check your embassy’s page before you transfer any money.

Open the blocked account before you apply for the visa, because embassies accept only the bank’s official opening confirmation. In some cases, a formal commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor living in Germany, or a scholarship, can replace it.

Living costs and health insurance

The blocked account is the minimum you must show, not a full budget. The DAAD reports average student spending of €876 a month in a 2023 survey, and it estimates that students need €900 to €1,200 a month. In addition, statutory student health insurance costs about €140–150 a month in 2026. Our guides to the cheapest countries to study abroad and the cost of studying abroad help you compare Germany with other options.

Direct entry or Studienkolleg?

Not every school-leaving certificate gives direct access to a German degree. To check yours, use the DAAD admission database, which is based on the official anabin data.

If your certificate does not qualify, you can take a foundation course called Studienkolleg. It usually lasts two semesters and ends with an exam, the Feststellungsprüfung. Passing it gives you access to study across Germany in your course’s subject area.

Public Studienkollegs are generally free except for the semester contribution, while private ones charge fees. Each Studienkolleg sets its own entry test and German level, so check its website early. For the visa, German at B1 is enough if you first attend a Studienkolleg or a preparatory language course.

Study in Germany for free in German or in English

Most programmes at public universities are taught in German. For unrestricted admission, universities usually accept DSH with at least DSH-2, or TestDaF with at least TDN 4 in all four parts. Other certificates, such as telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, also count. The DAAD says most universities ask for at least B2, but many programmes set a higher level, so read each course page.

Some programmes are taught in English. In that case, each university sets its own test and minimum score, such as IELTS or TOEFL. For the visa, the German embassy in Amman asks for English at least at B2 when the course is taught only in English.

Steps to study in Germany for free

1. Shortlist programmes on the DAAD website, then check each university’s fee page.
2. Confirm your entry route: direct entry or Studienkolleg.
3. Take a language test, and leave time for a retake.
4. Apply through uni-assist or directly to the university. uni-assist charges €75 for the first course and €30 for each further course, per semester. Many universities also ask for a motivation letter.
5. Check APS. The APS certificate check currently applies only to qualifications from China, Vietnam and India. A school certificate from Türkiye or an Arab country does not need it.
6. Open your blocked account once you hold an admission or a Studienkolleg place.
7. Apply for the national (D) visa through the Foreign Office’s Consular Services Portal. The fee is €75, and processing takes about 4–6 weeks at the Amman embassy.

Document lists differ by embassy, so always use your own embassy’s checklist. Our student visa guide explains proof of funds and the interview. Our guide to conditional offers also covers admissions tied to a language course.

Working while you study

A student residence permit lets you work up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year. Jobs as a student assistant at the university do not count towards this limit. However, the DAAD notes that international students do not have unlimited permission to work. So plan your budget without counting on a job in the first months.

How ILEAP helps

ILEAP’s university awareness sessions explain majors, university systems, admission requirements and costs. ILEAP works with more than 200 universities across seven countries, including Germany. In partner schools, optional International University Open Days let students meet university representatives from different countries, and live online sessions connect them with universities that cannot visit. If you want to study in Germany for free, start with our study abroad checklist, then learn about university awareness or see our international universities.

Frequently asked questions

Can international students study in Germany for free?

Yes, at most public universities. However, Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester, and some Bavarian universities such as TUM charge fees too. You also pay the semester contribution and need €11,904 a year in a blocked account (2026).

Do I need German to study in Germany?

For German-taught programmes, yes: usually DSH-2, TestDaF with TDN 4 or a similar certificate. English-taught programmes ask for an English test instead.

How much money do I need in the blocked account in 2026?

You need €992 per month, so €11,904 for one year. A planned BAföG reform may raise this in 2027, so check your embassy’s page before you transfer money.