Studying in Germany as an international student: costs, visa and work rules (2026)
Public universities in Germany charge international students almost nothing beyond a semester fee of a few hundred euros, but you must show €11,904 a year in a blocked account for the visa, you can work 140 full days a year while studying, and you get 18 months after graduating to find a job. Baden-Württemberg and TUM in Munich are the main exceptions on tuition.
✓ Last checked against official sources: 14 Oct 2026. Every figure links to the government body or university that sets it. No school pays to appear here.
Costs
| Item | Master’s (2 years) | Bachelor’s (3 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, public university | Near €0semester fee only, about €600 a year | Near €0semester fee only |
| Exceptions | Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 a semester. TUM (Munich) charges non-EU students tuition, from €2,000 a semester. | |
| Tuition, private university | Up to about €12,000 a year (estimate; set by each university) | |
| Money to show for the visa | €11,904 a year in a blocked account (€992 a month) | |
| Health insurance | About €1,800 a year (estimate) | |
| Visa and residence permit fees | About €225, once (estimate) | |
| Total* | ≈ €28,800 | ≈ €43,100 |
*Diplonaut estimate for a public university outside Baden-Württemberg: semester fees + the money you must show (a floor for living costs, not a budget) + health insurance, for the whole degree, plus visa fees once. Rent in Munich or Frankfurt can push real costs well above the blocked-account amount.
Visa and entry
| Your passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| EU, EEA or Swiss | No visa or residence permit. Register your address after you arrive. |
| Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States | No visa before travel: enter Germany, then apply for a residence permit within 90 days. |
| All other countries | A national (D) student visa from a German embassy or consulate before you travel. |
For the visa or permit you show your admission letter, the €11,904 blocked account (or another accepted proof of funds) and health insurance.
Applying from the United States? Costs in dollars, US federal loans and the visa steps for Americans: Is college free in Germany for Americans?
Work rights
- While studying: 140 full days or 280 half days a year. Work as a student assistant at your university does not count toward the limit.
- After graduating: an 18-month residence permit to look for a job related to your degree, with the right to work in any job meanwhile.
- Next step: with a qualified job you can switch to a work permit or an EU Blue Card. For shortage occupations, including most STEM jobs, the Blue Card salary floor is €45,934.20 in 2026 instead of €50,700.
Will my German degree be recognized?
Degrees from public (state) universities are recognized. A private university must be state-recognized (staatlich anerkannt) to award recognized degrees: check it in the Hochschulkompass database of the German Rectors’ Conference before you apply.
For a bachelor’s, your school-leaving certificate must count as a university entrance qualification in Germany. If it does not, a one-year preparatory course (Studienkolleg) is usually needed. A German bachelor’s takes 3 years, which some US graduate programs and licensing boards treat as less than a 4-year US degree.
By field of study
- Medicine: about 5% of places go to international applicants without a German school certificate, ranked by grade, usually via uni-assist. Full German is needed (C2 scores best).
- STEM: lower EU Blue Card salary floor after graduating (€45,934.20 in 2026).
- Art and music: entrance exams (a portfolio for art; written tests and an audition for music), often about a year before the course starts.
- Undecided: you enrol in one subject; one change of subject is normally allowed until the 4th semester, and you must tell the foreigners’ office.
Recent official changes for Germany
- No rule change for Germany has been tracked in the last months. See all changes by country.
Compare Germany
See Germany next to the other destinations, adjusted to your passport, degree level and field.
Frequently asked questions
Is university free in Germany for international students?
At most public universities, yes: you pay only a semester fee of a few hundred euros. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 a semester, and TUM in Munich charges tuition from €2,000 a semester. Private universities charge tuition.
How much money do I need to show for a German student visa?
€11,904 a year (€992 a month), usually in a blocked account, in 2026.
Can I work while studying in Germany?
Yes: 140 full days or 280 half days a year. Student-assistant jobs at your university do not count toward the limit.
Can I stay in Germany after graduating?
Yes: you can get an 18-month residence permit to look for a job related to your degree, and work in any job meanwhile.
Other destinations
Official sources
- German Federal Foreign Office: proof of funds, €992 a month
- German Missions in the US: residence visa
- University of Konstanz: Baden-Württemberg fees · TUM: tuition fees
- Study in Germany (DAAD): entry requirements and Studienkolleg
- Make it in Germany: EU Blue Card
- hochschulstart: international applicants (medicine) · DAAD: studying art and music
- Hochschulkompass (German Rectors’ Conference)
Information, not legal or immigration advice.