🇩🇪 Germany · Study Abroad
How to study in Germany as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Germany combines low-or-no tuition at public universities with strong international programmes. Many universities process international applications through the central uni-assist service, which checks that your foreign qualification meets German entry requirements; the university then decides admission. After admission, non-EU students apply for a national (study) visa and later a residence permit. The Study in Germany portal (DAAD/BMBF) is the official guide.
- Many German universities require applications via uni-assist, which verifies foreign qualifications (issuing a VPD); the university makes the final admission decision.
- Public-university tuition is minimal — budget primarily for living costs; the student visa requires proof of funds (typically a blocked account).
- Non-EU students apply for a national visa for study, then convert it to a residence permit for study purposes after arriving in Germany.
- DAAD scholarships and the Deutschlandstipendium can support living costs and research stays.
Official authorities
- Study in Germany (official portal)
Official guide to studying, applying and funding in Germany.
- uni-assist
Central application service that verifies international qualifications for many German universities.
- DAAD
German Academic Exchange Service — programmes, scholarships and advice.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Federal Government of Germany — Germany's Federal Cabinet official website — policy, legislation, news, and government programs
- Federal Office for Migration (BAMF) — German visas, EU Blue Card, asylum, integration courses, and permanent residency
- Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) — Tax ID (IdNr) registration, tax identification lookup, withholding tax refunds — the key authority for foreign taxpayers in Germany