🇩🇪 Germany · Study Abroad
How to study in Germany as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Quick answer
To study in Germany you check admission via uni-assist or the university (getting a VPD where needed), then apply for admission. Once admitted, you apply for a national visa for study, which usually requires proof of funds through a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Public universities charge little or no tuition. Explore options on Study in Germany and apply by the deadline.
Germany combines low-or-no tuition at public universities with strong international programmes. Many universities process international applications through the central uni-assist service, which checks that your foreign qualification meets German entry requirements; the university then decides admission. After admission, non-EU students apply for a national (study) visa and later a residence permit. The Study in Germany portal (DAAD/BMBF) is the official guide.
- Many German universities require applications via uni-assist, which verifies foreign qualifications (issuing a VPD); the university makes the final admission decision.
- Public-university tuition is minimal — budget primarily for living costs; the student visa requires proof of funds (typically a blocked account).
- Non-EU students apply for a national visa for study, then convert it to a residence permit for study purposes after arriving in Germany.
- DAAD scholarships and the Deutschlandstipendium can support living costs and research stays.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose your course and institution
Choose your program and check admission via uni-assist or the university (obtaining a VPD where needed); explore Study in Germany.
- 2
Meet academic and language requirements
Meet the academic entry requirements and prove language ability (e.g. an English or local-language test) at the level the course demands.
- 3
Apply for admission
Apply for admission through the relevant application route by the deadline, with transcripts, test scores and supporting documents.
- 4
Receive offer and enrollment document
On acceptance, obtain your official enrollment/acceptance document, which you will need for the visa application.
- 5
Apply for your student visa
Apply for the national visa for study, proving funds via a blocked account (Sperrkonto) and holding health insurance.
- 6
Arrive, enroll and know the rules
Arrive before the term, complete enrollment and any residence registration, and note the rules on part-time work and post-study stay.
Checklist
- Course, level and institution chosen
- Academic + language requirements met
- Admission application submitted by deadline
- Offer + enrollment/acceptance document received
- Proof of funds + health cover prepared
- Student visa applied for + granted
- Arrival, enrollment + registration done
- Work-hours and post-study stay rules understood
Official authorities
- Study in Germany (official portal)
Official guide to studying, applying and funding in Germany.
- uni-assist
Central application service that verifies international qualifications for many German universities.
- DAAD
German Academic Exchange Service — programmes, scholarships and advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is uni-assist?
A service that checks and processes international applications for many German universities; some universities apply direct instead.
What is a blocked account (Sperrkonto)?
A special account holding a set amount to prove living costs; you withdraw a fixed sum each month to cover expenses.
Is tuition free in Germany?
Most public universities charge little or no tuition (a small semester fee applies); some programs and states differ, so check.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Federal Government of Germany — Germany's Federal Cabinet official website — policy, legislation, news, and government programs
- Federal Office for Migration (BAMF) — German visas, EU Blue Card, asylum, integration courses, and permanent residency
- Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) — Tax ID (IdNr) registration, tax identification lookup, withholding tax refunds — the key authority for foreign taxpayers in Germany