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ChypreGermany, 2026/27
The cheapest universities in Germany for international students: what you actually pay
In short: at most German public universities a student from outside the EU pays no tuition, only a semester contribution: EUR 361 a semester at TU Dresden, EUR 376.80 at FU Berlin and EUR 402 at Universitaet Hamburg for winter 2026/27, under EUR 850 a year. Baden-Wuerttemberg charges EUR 1,500 a semester, and TU Munich EUR 2,000 to 6,000. Living costs are the bigger bill: the visa asks you to show EUR 11,904 for a year.
Five well-known public universities, cheapest first
| University | State | Per semester, non-EU | A year, about | What it covers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TU DresdenCost of a year in Germany | Saxony | EUR 361no tuition | EUR 722 | Semester contribution for winter 2026/27, including the semester ticket. Saxony charges no general tuition. | University page lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
| Freie Universitaet BerlinCost of a year in Germany | Berlin | EUR 376.8no tuition | EUR 753.6 | Semester fees for winter 2026/27, of which EUR 226.80 is the Deutschland semester ticket. | University page lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
| Universitaet HamburgCost of a year in Germany | Hambourg | EUR 402no tuition | EUR 804 | Semester contribution for winter 2026/27 (EUR 352 plus a EUR 50 administration fee), including the transport pass. | University page lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
| Université de HeidelbergCost of a year in Germany | Baden-Wuerttemberg | EUR 1,500 tuitionplus semester contribution | EUR 3,000 + contribution | EUR 1,500 a semester tuition for students from outside the EU/EEA, plus the semester contribution (amount on the university’s fees page). Some exemptions apply. | University page lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
| Université technique de MunichCost of a year in Germany | Bavaria | EUR 2,000 to 6,000 tuitionplus semester contribution | EUR 4,000 to 12,000 + contribution | Non-EU tuition: bachelor’s EUR 2,000 or 3,000 a semester, master’s EUR 4,000 or 6,000. From winter 2027/28: EUR 2,300 or 3,400, and EUR 4,600 or 6,800. Plus a semester fee by campus. | University page lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
Last checked: 7 Nov 2026, on each university's own page (linked). A sample of well-known public universities, not a ranking of all of them: the rule of thumb is that public universities outside Baden-Wuerttemberg charge only a semester contribution, while TU Munich and the Baden-Wuerttemberg universities charge non-EU tuition. A whole first year in Germany, with living costs and the visa fee, starts at about EUR 9,900 (Germany guide, Tarifs par Exchange Rate API).
Que faire ensuite
- Find an English-taught programme in the DAAD database (see studying in English), or check what you need without IELTS.
- Budget the blocked account: the German student visa asks to see a year's living money up front.
- Work out your own year with the cost calculator, or compare Germany with the Netherlands.
- Look for a scholarship, including DAAD schemes, ouvert à votre nationalité.
Questions
Which German universities are cheapest for international students?
at most German public universities a student from outside the EU pays no tuition, only a semester contribution: EUR 361 a semester at TU Dresden, EUR 376.80 at FU Berlin and EUR 402 at Universitaet Hamburg for winter 2026/27, under EUR 850 a year. Baden-Wuerttemberg charges EUR 1,500 a semester, and TU Munich EUR 2,000 to 6,000. Living costs are the bigger bill: the visa asks you to show EUR 11,904 for a year.
Is university free in Germany for non-EU students?
At most public universities, yes, apart from the semester contribution of a few hundred euros. Baden-Wuerttemberg charges students from outside the EU EUR 1,500 a semester, and TU Munich charges its own tuition. Private universities charge full fees.
How much money do I need for a German student visa?
EUR 11,904 for one year, usually in a blocked account. Baden-Wuerttemberg charges non-EU students EUR 1,500 a semester and TU Munich charges non-EU students EUR 2,000 to 6,000 a semester.