Guides
What Does It Cost to Study in Germany in 2026? Tuition, Fees and Monthly Living Costs
Most public universities in Germany charge no tuition, only a semester contribution of roughly €150–€400. The exceptions that matter for non-EU students are Baden-Württemberg (€1,500 per semester) and TUM in Munich, which charges international students from outside the EU. Living costs are the bigger number: the visa assumes €992 a month, and many students in large cities spend more.
Key facts
- Tuition at most public universities
- €0
- Semester contribution
- about €150–€400
- Baden-Württemberg (non-EU)
- €1,500 per semester
- Visa living-cost baseline
- €992 per month
Is studying in Germany really free?
At most public universities, yes: there is no tuition fee for Bachelor’s or consecutive Master’s programmes, for Germans and international students alike. Private universities charge tuition, often €10,000 or more per year, and some non-consecutive or executive Master’s programmes at public universities charge fees too.
| Where | Non-EU tuition (per semester) |
|---|---|
| Most public universities | €0 |
| Baden-Württemberg (e.g. Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Freiburg, KIT) | €1,500 |
| Technical University of Munich (TUM) | tuition for non-EU students; amount depends on programme |
| Private universities | typically €5,000–€15,000+ |
You can filter programmes by fee in the programme directory or go straight to tuition-free Master’s programmes.
What is the semester contribution?
Every student pays a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), even where tuition is free. It funds the student services organisation and student union and, at most universities, includes a public-transport ticket for the region or the Deutschlandticket. Expect roughly €150–€400 per semester.
How much do you need per month?
| Item | Typical monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (room in a shared flat or student residence) | €350–€800, highest in Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg |
| Health insurance (public student rate) | about €140–€152 |
| Food | €200–€300 |
| Phone and internet | €20–€40 |
| Leisure, clothes, materials | €80–€200 |
A realistic total ranges from about €900 in smaller university towns to €1,300+ in Munich. Work out your own number for your city with the living cost calculator.
Which one-time costs should you budget for?
- Visa fee: €75
- Application fees: uni-assist charges €75 for the first application per semester and €30 for each additional one — see uni-assist and APS
- APS certificate (India, China, Vietnam): roughly €150–€250 equivalent
- Blocked account setup and monthly fees
- Rental deposit: often two to three months’ cold rent
- Flight and the first weeks before your first payout
How do these costs relate to the blocked account?
The blocked account covers living costs only: €11,904 for the year, paid out at €992 a month. Tuition, the semester contribution and one-time costs come on top — and if your city is expensive, so does the gap between €992 and your real rent. Many students close that gap with a part-time job.
Before you arrive
Paid partnership
Expatrio
Blocked account, health insurance and incoming transfer in one package.
- Blocked account accepted for the student visa
- Public or private health insurance included
- Opened online before you arrive in Germany
We earn a commission if you open an account through these links. It costs you nothing extra and does not change what we list or how we rank it.
Find the programmes you qualify for
Answer six questions and see which of 11,400+ programmes match your grades, language and budget.
Find my programmesSources
We check these figures against official sources, but rules and amounts change. Confirm the current requirements with your embassy or university before you act.