United States
Canada
Australia
Netherlands
Ireland
Japan
Cyprus
Photo: Mira Kireeva on Unsplash
Cost of a year
What will a year really cost?
From the country guide: tuition, living costs and the visa fee, plus the money you must show. The part you lose if the visa is refused is marked.
In short: a first year in Germany costs about EUR 9,900 to 18,800: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee. The visa also asks you to show EUR 11,900 before it is decided.
Last checked: 24 September 2026, against the official sources linked below.
A year in Germany
| In EUR as published | In EUR | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one year | EUR 200 to 700 | EUR 200 to 700 Public university, international student |
| Living costs, twelve months | EUR 9,600 to 18,000 | EUR 9,600 to 18,000 |
| Visa or permit feeNot refunded if the visa is refused | EUR 75 | EUR 75 |
| First year, all in | EUR 9,880 to 18,780 | |
| Money you must show for the visa | EUR 11,904 | EUR 11,900 Held in your account before you apply; most of it then pays your living costs |
The full Germany guide, with every source →
Germany: what a year costs next to
Tuition, living costs and the visa fee side by side, in your currency.
Leaves out flights, deposits and insurance unless the guide includes them. Currency: Rates by Exchange Rate API, 8 November 2026.
Questions
How much does it cost to study in Germany for a year?
a first year in Germany costs about EUR 9,900 to 18,800: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee. The visa also asks you to show EUR 11,900 before it is decided.
How much money do I need to show for a student visa in Germany?
EUR 11,904 a year (about EUR 11,900), from the official source in the Germany guide.