Germany remains one of the only major European countries where most public universities charge no tuition for international students. Here's how the system actually works in 2026, what the exceptions are, and what you still need to budget for.
How tuition-free really works
Public universities in 15 of Germany's 16 federal states charge no tuition for bachelor's and most master's programmes, regardless of nationality. The exception is Baden-Württemberg, which charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester.
What you do pay everywhere is a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of roughly €150–€350. This covers the student union, administration, and — importantly — your regional public-transport pass.
What you still need to budget for
- Living costs of approximately €850–€1,200 per month, depending on city.
- Health insurance (€110–€130/month for students under 30 on public insurance).
- Blocked account requirement of €11,904 for the year (2026 figure) for non-EU visa applicants.
- Books, materials, and personal expenses.
How to find an English-taught programme
The DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) maintains an official, searchable database of English-taught programmes at all German universities. Filter by degree level and subject — there are over 2,000 such programmes.
Sources: Federal Ministry of Education and Research, DAAD, Deutsches Studierendenwerk. Always confirm current fees with each university before applying.