€0
tuition at public universities, EU and non-EU alike
€11,904
blocked account required for the student visa
C1 / B2
German for German-taught · English for English-taught
140 days
of full-day work allowed per year as a student
How much do you actually need in the blocked account?
Usually less than people think: the deposit covers one year (never your whole programme), and a scholarship or a sponsor in Germany can replace it entirely. Answer three questions to see your number.
How will you fund your studies?
This is the question that decides whether you need a blocked account at all.
Programme length
Provider
Fees checked July 2026 on each provider's site. Deutsche Bank discontinued blocked accounts in July 2022 and Coracle paused new openings in August 2025. That is why neither is listed.
You need €11.904 for the first year
releases €992/month after arrival
The deposit covers ONE year of the €992/month reference rate: even for a 2-year programme you never deposit more than a year upfront. For longer stays you prove funds again at each residence-permit extension in Germany.
Deposit for the visa
€11.904
one year, never the whole programme
Fintiba fees, year 1
€277,8
€159 setup + €9,9/mo
Still to save
€12.063
deposit + setup fee − your savings
Worth knowing
- Across your 2-year programme you will show about €23.808 in total, but year by year, never in one deposit.
- Deposit the full amount BEFORE your visa appointment; the confirmation letter is part of your application.
- After arrival the account releases €992/month. Plan any extra costs (deposit for a flat, semester fee) from separate savings.
- Working alongside your studies (140 full days/year allowed) does not reduce the deposit: the embassy wants the money up front.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office: Sperrkonto · accepted financing proofs · Fintiba / Expatrio pricing. €11.904/€992-month rate, verified July 2026.
Guide by
Abdullah
Creator of Ankommo · Based in Germany
I moved to Germany and built Ankommo to help others navigate the same process I went through. We offer 1-on-1 video consultations on visas, Ausbildung applications, citizenship requirements and settling in.
Book a 1-on-1 consultationWhy study in Germany?
€0
Tuition at most public universities
400+
Universities and Fachhochschulen
€992/mo
Financial proof for student visa (2026)
140 days
You can work per year as a student
Germany's public universities are funded by the state, not by tuition. Even non-EU students pay only a semester administration fee (€150–€350), which often includes a public transport pass for the city.
Types of degree in Germany
Bachelor's (B.A. / B.Sc.)
Some English-taught programmes available, especially at private universities.
Master's (M.A. / M.Sc.)
Many public universities offer English-taught Master's, especially in STEM and business.
Ausbildung (Dual training)
Earn while you learn: a practical alternative to university with strong job prospects.
PhD (Doktorat)
Often funded via research positions. Strong in engineering, medicine, and natural sciences.
Admission requirements
- Recognised secondary school certificate (Abitur equivalent)
- University entrance qualification assessment (uni-assist)
- German C1 for German-taught programmes (DSH or TestDaF)
- Blocked account (Sperrkonto) with €11,904 for visa (2026)
- Health insurance (public or private)
- Valid passport and visa application
- Motivation letter and CV for some programmes
- Language certificates (Goethe, TestDaF, IELTS for English programmes)
The blocked account is the requirement most applicants overestimate, so calculate what you actually need above, or read the full blocked account guide for provider fees, exemptions, and refunds.
German language path for study
German-taught programmes require C1 (DSH-2 or TestDaF 4). Even for English-taught programmes, B1–B2 makes daily life significantly easier.
A1
Beginner
A2
Elementary
B1
Daily life
B2
English-taught
C1
German-taught ✓
Most students who skip German struggle in their first year. Starting at A1 now and reaching C1 in 2–3 years is the clearest path to a German-taught degree.
Who is behind this page
Five of My Own Applications, All Admitted, Then 700 More
I applied to five German universities and got into all five, and since 2022 I’ve taken 700+ more people through German admissions, taking no commission from any university. That rule is also why the calculator above lists two blocked-account providers instead of ten: Deutsche Bank stopped offering them in 2022, Coracle paused new openings in August 2025, and the honest list is short. It quotes €11,904 for one year rather than for your whole degree, because the account is opened for a year and re-proved at each extension.
- 5 / 5
- my own applications, all admitted
- 700+
- people helped through German admissions since 2022
- €11,904
- blocked account for one year, not for the whole degree
Provider fees read off Fintiba’s and Expatrio’s own sites in July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
- Is university in Germany really free?
- Public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees for most undergraduate and many postgraduate programmes, for both EU and non-EU students. You pay a small semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of €150–€350 which covers administration and often a public transport pass.
- What German level do I need to study in Germany?
- For German-taught programmes, universities require C1 German (DSH-2 or TestDaF level 4). For English-taught Master's programmes, B2–C1 English is required and no German is mandatory, though B1 German is strongly recommended for daily life.
- How much money do I need for a student visa in Germany?
- You need to show proof of financial resources, typically via a blocked account (Sperrkonto) containing €11,904 per year (€992/month as of 2026). This amount is released monthly once you are in Germany.
- Can I work while studying in Germany?
- Yes. Since March 2024, international students in Germany can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year (or alternatively up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period) without a work permit. Many students work part-time in retail, hospitality, or as student assistants (Hiwi) at their university.
- What is the difference between Universität and Fachhochschule?
- A Universität is a research university offering a broad range of academic subjects including PhD programmes. A Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences) is more practice-oriented, often includes mandatory internships, and is directly career-focused. Both award internationally recognised degrees.
Related guides & tools
Germany Study Planner
Your personal month-by-month application roadmap. Free, 2 minutes.
Blocked Account Guide
Provider fees compared, exemptions, and refunds if the visa is refused.
Student Health Insurance
Public vs private by student type, and the 3-month trap.
Grade Converter
Convert your GPA or percentage to the German 1,0–4,0 scale (uni-assist formula).
Ausbildung in Germany
The vocational alternative: earn a salary from day one.
Move to Germany
Anmeldung, insurance, housing: your arrival checklist.
Start your German before you arrive
Whether your programme is in German or English, learning German early makes everything easier. Free to start with Ankommo.
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