Studying in Germany
Germany is where our guidance goes deepest: more than 450,000 international students, public universities that charge almost no tuition, and a set of rules that decide your permit, your insurance and how much you are allowed to work. This page walks through all of it in order — official sources only, never a substitute for the responsible authority.
Non-EU students need a national visa and then a student residence permit tied to their enrolment (§16b AufenthG). EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need no permit.
Health insurance is mandatory before you can enrol, and non-EU students may work 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year.
Tuition is free at most public universities, but a semester contribution of €150–€350 applies everywhere.
Arriving and enrolling
Four documents stand between an admission letter and a student ID. They have to arrive in the right order.
- 01Student visa and residence permit
Non-EU students apply for a national visa at the German mission abroad, then convert it into a student residence permit at the local Ausländerbehörde (§16b AufenthG). The permit is tied to your enrolment and must be renewed before it expires. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need no permit.
- 02Register your address (Anmeldung)
Register at the Bürgeramt within 14 days of moving in (§17 Bundesmeldegesetz). The registration certificate is required for a bank account, a tax ID and most university formalities.
- 03Health insurance before enrolment
Statutory health insurance is mandatory for enrolled students under 30 and costs roughly €130–€150 per month including long-term care insurance. Your university cannot matriculate you without electronic proof from a Krankenkasse.
- 04Enrolment (Immatrikulation)
Hand in your admission letter, ID or passport with residence permit, insurance proof and the paid semester contribution. You then receive your student ID, matriculation certificate and, in most Länder, a semester transport ticket.
The money
Studying costs little in tuition and a lot in rent. These are the four numbers that shape a student budget in Germany.
≈ 25.776 € / year
- Rent1.100 €
- Groceries330 €
- Health insurance420 €
- Transport63 €
- Internet35 €
- Leisure200 €
The Kaution deposit is refundable if the flat is returned in good condition.
Your rights at university
Enrolment is not only an administrative status. It carries rights in examinations, housing, funding and equal treatment — each with its own procedure and deadline.
After graduation
A German degree changes your legal position. These are the three routes that follow it.
Graduates of a recognised German university can apply for an 18-month residence permit to look for qualified employment (§20 AufenthG). You may work without restriction during that time.
With a degree and a qualifying job offer above the salary threshold, the Blue Card (§18g AufenthG) is usually the fastest route to a settlement permit.
Long-term residence follows after the qualifying years of contributions and residence, with shorter periods for Blue Card holders and skilled workers (§9, §18c AufenthG).
How many hours can I work as an international student in Germany?▾
Non-EU students may work 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year alongside their studies (§16b AufenthG). EU/EEA/Swiss students have unrestricted labour-market access. The statutory minimum wage is €13.90 gross per hour from 1 January 2026, and mini-jobs are capped at €603 per month.
Ask RechtXAre German public universities really tuition-free?▾
For almost all bachelor and most master programmes at public universities, yes. Baden-Württemberg charges €1,500 per semester to non-EU students. A semester contribution of €150–€350, which usually includes a public transport ticket, still applies everywhere.
Ask RechtXDo I need German health insurance to enrol?▾
Yes. Statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) is mandatory for enrolled students under 30, at roughly €130–€150 per month including long-term care insurance. Older students may use private cover; your university cannot complete enrolment without proof.
Ask RechtXCan I stay in Germany after graduating?▾
Non-EU graduates of a recognised German university can apply for an 18-month residence permit to look for qualified employment (§20 AufenthG), and convert it into an EU Blue Card or a work permit once hired.
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Informational only — not legal, immigration, financial or insurance advice. Rules, fees and contribution rates change. Check the responsible authority (Ausländerbehörde, your university's student office, or your Krankenkasse) before acting. Authority directory.