Student visa for Germany 2026: requirements and steps

Germany is one of the few countries where you can study at public universities almost for free, including as a foreigner. But before the first lecture comes the visa process, and mistakes here cost months. We explain which visa you need, how much money you must show, which documents to gather and what's possible after graduation.

Which visa you need

Student visa (§ 16b AufenthG): if you already have an admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) from a German university. By law, study also includes preparatory steps: a language course if your admission depends on it, and the Studienkolleg.
Prospective student visa (§ 17(2) AufenthG): if you don't have admission yet but want to apply on site. It's granted for a maximum of 9 months. You need the school and language prerequisites (or to acquire them in that time) and sufficient funds. You may work up to 20 hours a week. Once admitted, you switch to a study residence permit without leaving.
Language course (§ 16f): if you want to learn German first without being tied to a university. It's a separate residence purpose, and switching later is harder.

A Schengen visa won't work. On a tourist visa you can't start studying and, as a rule, can't get a study residence permit in Germany.

What studying costs

In most federal states, public universities charge no tuition fees, including for foreigners.
Exceptions for non-EU students: in Baden-Württemberg 1,500 euros per semester at all public universities; in Bavaria only TUM charges fees (2,000 to 6,000 euros per semester depending on the programme).
Everywhere there's a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of roughly 100 to 430 euros. It often includes a public transport ticket.
Private universities usually cost several thousand euros per semester.

How much money you need to show

For the visa you must prove you can support yourself. In 2026 that's €992 a month, or €11,904 a year. Options:

Blocked account (Sperrkonto): the most common option. You deposit the full amount and receive at most €992 a month in Germany. It's opened online with specialised providers before you apply for the visa.
Formal obligation (Verpflichtungserklärung): someone living in Germany commits at the Ausländerbehörde to cover your living costs.
Scholarship, for example from the DAAD, if it covers the amount.

Documents for the visa

passport valid for your whole study period with a buffer;
completed application form and biometric photos;
admission letter (for § 16b) or proof of applications (for § 17);
proof of funding (blocked account, formal obligation or scholarship);
health insurance for your first weeks in Germany;
school and university certificates with translations;
language certificate for the language of instruction (German: usually TestDaF or DSH; English: IELTS or TOEFL);
motivation letter and CV (often requested).

APS. Citizens of China, India and Vietnam also need a certificate from the Akademische Prüfstelle (APS), which verifies their educational documents. Start early, it takes time.

How the process works

Choose a programme and apply, directly to the university or via uni-assist. Deadlines for the winter semester often end in mid-July, earlier for some programmes.
Get your admission (Zulassungsbescheid).
Open a blocked account and take out health insurance.
Apply for the visa at the German embassy or consulate. In many countries you can do this online via the Federal Foreign Office's Auslandsportal. Fee: 75 euros. Apply right after admission: in peak season processing can take several weeks or longer.
After arrival: within two weeks register your address (Anmeldung), take out public student health insurance (about €140 a month), enrol at the university and apply for your residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde before your visa expires. It's usually issued for two years and can be extended.

Can I work while studying?

Up to 140 full or 280 half working days a year. A half day is up to 4 hours.
Jobs as a student assistant (studentische Hilfskraft) at the university don't count towards this limit.
A mandatory internship required by your curriculum doesn't count either.
Self-employment and freelancing during studies are restricted; check with the Ausländerbehörde first.

Note: you can't use work to replace the proof of funds for the visa. The money has to be shown upfront.

What comes after graduation

After graduating you can get a residence permit to look for a job for up to 18 months, during which you may work without restriction.
Once you find a suitable job, you switch to a Blue Card or a skilled-worker permit (§ 18b). For graduates of the last three years, the Blue Card threshold is €45,934.20 a year.
With a German degree the path to permanent residence is shorter: skilled workers who studied in Germany need 24 months of pension contributions instead of 36.

More on residence permits in "Visa and residence permit for Germany", and on insurance and pension contributions in "All types of insurance in Germany".

Common mistakes

Entering on a tourist visa and hoping to sort out studying on site.
Applying for the visa too late and missing the start of the semester.
Putting less than the required amount into the blocked account.
Taking travel insurance instead of suitable health insurance.
Forgetting to apply for a residence permit extension on time.

Frequently asked questions

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

€992 a month, or €11,904 for one year of study.

Can I come to Germany without an admission letter?

Yes, on a prospective student visa (§ 17(2) AufenthG) for up to 9 months. Once admitted, you switch to a study residence permit without leaving.

How much can students work in Germany?

Up to 140 full or 280 half working days a year. Student assistant jobs at the university and mandatory internships don't count.

Official sources

Your first letters in Germany: that's where BriefMagic helps

Within the first weeks in Germany, students face a pile of official letters. From the Ausländerbehörde: requests for documents and an appointment for the residence permit. From the health fund: questions about insurance. Almost everyone gets a letter about the Rundfunkbeitrag, the mandatory broadcasting fee, even though students can often be exempted. And missing a residence permit extension can cause real trouble.

BriefMagic helps you deal with all of it, even if your German is still basic. Take a photo of the letter, and the service explains in your language who is writing, what they want and by when. Describe your situation in your own words, and BriefMagic writes the reply in proper official German: an extension application, a Rundfunkbeitrag exemption request or an objection. You can send the letter by registered mail straight from the service.

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This article is for information only and is not legal advice. Amounts apply to 2026 and change every year. Before applying, check the requirements on the German embassy's website, with your university and with the Ausländerbehörde.