Expat guide
Student Visa in Germany: Complete Guide for Expats
Non-EU students need a national visa, proof of funds (usually a blocked account), and university admission — then Anmeldung and a student Aufenthaltstitel after arrival.
Overview
Non-EU citizens who want to study at a German university for more than 90 days need a national visa (type D) for study purposes, then a student Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) after arrival. This is separate from a Schengen tourist visa — you cannot study long-term on a short-stay visa.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | §16b AufenthG (enrolled study) / §17 (seeking admission) |
| Entry document | National visa from German embassy or consulate |
| Proof of funds (2026) | €11,904 per year (~€992/month) |
| Visa fee | ~€75 |
| Permit duration | Usually 2 years, renewable until degree complete |
| Part-time work | 140 full / 280 half days per year or 20 hrs/week |
This guide covers admission to arrival. For the blocked account setup, see our blocked account guide. For all routes, see German visa types.
Prerequisites: Admission to a recognised university (or eligible preparatory programme), proof of financial resources, and health insurance cover.
Who needs a student visa
| Your situation | Visa before travel? |
|---|---|
| Non-EU + university admission + stay > 90 days | Yes — national student visa (most countries) |
| US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, etc. | Often no — enter visa-free, apply for permit after arrival |
| EU / EEA / Swiss citizen | No — freedom of movement |
| Already in Germany on another permit | Change purpose at Ausländerbehörde — not a new embassy visa |
| Short language course (< 90 days) | Schengen visa may suffice — not covered here |
| Seeking university place (Studienkolleg / prep) | §17 visa — different rules; see below |
Check the visa navigator for your nationality. When in doubt, ask your local German mission.
Two study visa routes
§16b — Enrolled student (most common)
You already hold a Zulassungsbescheid (admission letter) from a state-recognised German university. This is the standard route for degree programmes taught in German or English.
§17 — Study applicant
You have not yet been admitted but need to enter Germany to:
- Attend Studienkolleg (foundation year)
- Complete a language course required for admission
- Search for a university place (under strict conditions)
Proof-of-funds requirements may differ — some missions require a higher monthly amount than the standard €992. Confirm with your embassy before opening a blocked account.
Proof of financial resources
Embassies require evidence you can cover living costs for at least one year:
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Blocked account (Sperrkonto) | €11,904 deposited for 2026; €992/month released after arrival — full guide |
| Scholarship | Official letter showing amount and duration (DAAD, Erasmus+, government awards) |
| Declaration of commitment | Verpflichtungserklärung from a resident in Germany at the Ausländerbehörde |
| Combined | Some embassies accept scholarship + blocked account for the remainder |
Start the blocked account early — international transfers and confirmation letters take 2–4 weeks.
Health insurance
You need two stages of cover:
- For the visa application — Travel or incoming insurance, often with minimum €30,000 medical coverage until you enrol
- After enrolment — German student health insurance:
- Public (GKV) student tariff — roughly €140–160/month (TK, AOK, Barmer)
- Or approved private student insurance if you meet exemption rules
See our health insurance guide for public vs private rules. You will need the insurance certificate for enrolment and your residence permit appointment.
Documents you need
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Download the exact list from your embassy website — requirements vary by country and programme type.
Step-by-step process
Apply to universities
6–12 months before intake — Winter: July 15, Summer: Jan 15 typical deadlines
Receive Zulassungsbescheid
2–8 weeks after application deadline
Open blocked account
2–4 weeks — transfer €11,904 + buffer; get Sperrbescheinigung
Embassy visa appointment
Book early — processing 4–12 weeks
Enter Germany + Anmeldung
Register address within 14 days
Enrol + Ausländerbehörde
Immatrikulation at uni; collect student Aufenthaltstitel
Activate blocked account payouts
Link Girokonto — €992/month released after arrival
1. Apply and get admitted
Apply through uni-assist or directly to universities. Typical deadlines:
- Winter semester — 15 July
- Summer semester — 15 January
Programmes may require TestDaF, DSH, IELTS, or TOEFL. Regulated programmes (medicine, pharmacy) have separate quotas.
2. Open a blocked account
Once admitted:
- Choose a provider (Expatrio, Fintiba, Coracle, or a German bank)
- Transfer €11,904 plus a small buffer for fees
- Receive Sperrbescheinigung (blocking confirmation) for the embassy
Step-by-step: Blocked account guide
3. Apply for the national visa
Apply via the Consular Services Portal:
- Complete online forms
- Book biometric appointment
- Submit passport, admission, Sperrbescheinigung, insurance, transcripts, language proof
- Pay fee (~€75) and wait 4–12 weeks
Visa-free nationals: Skip this step and apply for your residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde within the allowed entry period.
4. Enter Germany and register
Within your first two weeks:
- Find accommodation (needed for registration)
- Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt within 14 days
- Open a bank account (Girokonto) — link it to your blocked account for monthly payouts
- Activate blocked account withdrawals (€992/month)
Follow the just arrived path for admin in order.
5. Enrol at university (Immatrikulation)
Bring to the university:
- Passport and visa
- Zulassungsbescheid
- Health insurance certificate
- Payment of semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag)
You receive an Immatrikulationsbescheinigung (enrolment certificate) — required for your residence permit.
6. Apply for your student Aufenthaltstitel
Book the Ausländerbehörde with:
- Passport and visa
- Meldebescheinigung
- Immatrikulationsbescheinigung
- Proof of finances (blocked account balance or scholarship)
- Health insurance
- Biometric photos
- Fee (~€100)
The permit is usually issued for two years and can be renewed until you finish your degree.
Working while studying
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| General student work | 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year |
| Semester alternative | Up to 20 hours per week |
| Working student (Werkstudent) | Often unlimited hours at one employer — special rules apply |
| Mandatory internship (Pflichtpraktikum) | Usually does not count toward day limits |
Exceeding work limits can jeopardise your permit. Inform your Ausländerbehörde if unsure.
Many students take a Minijob (up to €603/month in 2026) — hours still count toward the limits above. Use our salary calculator to estimate net pay from a part-time job.
Costs to budget
| Item | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | €75 |
| Blocked account deposit | €11,904 (refundable to you monthly) |
| Blocked account provider fee | €0–150 |
| Residence permit | ~€100 |
| Semester contribution | €150–400+ per semester (includes transit pass) |
| Health insurance | ~€140–160/month (public student tariff) |
| Tuition | €0 at most public universities (Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU tuition) |
Budget €850–1,200/month living costs depending on city — Munich and Hamburg are at the top end.
After graduation
Graduates can usually apply for an 18-month job-seeker residence permit to find qualified employment. Once you have a job offer:
- EU Blue Card — if salary meets thresholds
- Skilled worker visa — alternative work route
Switch at the Ausländerbehörde before your student permit expires.
Common mistakes
- Applying without admission — §16b requires a Zulassungsbescheid; conditional offers may not suffice.
- Underfunding the blocked account — Embassy rejects if balance is below €11,904.
- Wrong insurance type — Travel insurance alone is not enough after enrolment.
- Missing Anmeldung deadline — Delays your residence permit and Steuer-ID.
- Working too many hours — Track days carefully; mini-jobs count.
- Entering on Schengen visa to study — Cannot convert to long-stay student status in most cases.
- Ignoring visa-free entry rules — US/Canadian citizens still need permit approval before study begins — apply at Ausländerbehörde immediately after arrival.
Related guides
| Topic | Guide |
|---|---|
| Blocked account setup | Blocked account |
| All visa routes | German visa types |
| After arrival admin | Just arrived path |
| Health insurance | Health insurance |
| Post-study work | EU Blue Card |
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for a German student visa in 2026?
You must prove funds for at least one year — currently €11,904 total, released at €992 per month through a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Alternatives include a scholarship letter or a Verpflichtungserklärung (declaration of commitment) from a sponsor in Germany. See our blocked account guide for setup steps.
Can US, Canadian, or Australian citizens skip the student visa?
Nationals of the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and several other countries can enter Germany visa-free for up to 90 days and apply for the student residence permit after arrival. You still need admission, proof of funds, and insurance — you just apply at the Ausländerbehörde instead of an embassy abroad. Confirm your nationality on the German Foreign Office website.
How many hours can international students work in Germany?
Enrolled students can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year, or up to 20 hours per week during the semester. Working student (Werkstudent) jobs and mandatory internships often have separate rules. Exceeding the limit can affect your residence permit.
What health insurance do I need for a student visa?
Embassies usually require travel or incoming health insurance (often minimum €30,000 coverage) for the visa application. After enrolment, you must join a German student health plan — typically public student insurance (GKV) at roughly €140–160/month or an approved private student tariff.
What is the difference between a student visa and a Studienkolleg visa?
If you already have university admission, you apply for a visa for study purposes (§16b). If you need to attend Studienkolleg or search for a university place first, you may need a visa for the purpose of applying to university (§17) with different proof requirements. Check with your embassy which category applies.
What happens after I graduate?
Graduates can usually receive an 18-month residence permit to search for qualified employment in Germany. Once you find a job matching your qualification, switch to a work permit such as the EU Blue Card or skilled worker visa. See our visa types overview for post-study routes.
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What's next?
This guide is part of our Just arrived path path. Continue with the next step or browse all topics.