Written and reviewed by the EuroGulf Guide editor. Last checked: October 2026.
To get a German student visa you generally need an admission letter from a recognised German university, proof of the language skills your course requires, health insurance, and proof that you can cover living costs of at least EUR 992 per month (EUR 11,904 per year), as of October 2026. Most applicants apply online through the Federal Foreign Office’s Consular Services Portal and then attend an appointment at the German mission responsible for where they live. The standard national visa fee is EUR 75.
This guide walks through each requirement, the blocked account, a documents checklist, the timeline and the mistakes that most often delay applications. Rules can vary slightly between German embassies and consulates, so always read the page of the mission responsible for you.
I moved abroad with my family in 2025, so I know what it’s like to gather documents, wait for appointments and wonder whether you’ve missed something. The German student visa isn’t complicated once you see the order of the steps, and that order is what this guide tries to make clear.
Quick facts: German student visa (as of October 2026)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa type | National (D) visa for study purposes, followed by a residence permit in Germany (Section 16b Residence Act) |
| Where to apply | Consular Services Portal (online) or the German mission responsible for your place of residence |
| Financial proof for students | At least EUR 992 per month, usually EUR 11,904 for the first year |
| Financial proof to seek a university place | At least EUR 1,091 per month |
| Visa fee | EUR 75 for adults, EUR 37.50 for under-18s |
| Visa validity | Study visas are usually issued for up to one year; you then get a residence permit locally |
| Residence permit length | Usually two years at first issue, renewable |
| Work allowed | Up to 140 full days (or 280 half days) per year, or up to 20 hours a week during lecture periods; student assistant jobs do not count |
| APS certificate | Generally required for applicants with school or university qualifications from China, India or Vietnam |
Do you need a visa to study in Germany?
Most non-EU students need a national visa before travelling. There are exceptions. For example, the German Consulate General in Sydney explains that citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States can enter Germany and apply for their residence permit at the local foreigners authority without a visa in advance. They cannot work until the permit is issued. EU and EEA citizens do not need a student visa.
If you are unsure, use the Visa Navigator on the Consular Services Portal or ask the German mission responsible for you.
Requirement 1: Admission to a German university
According to the Consular Services Portal, you need a letter of admission to a course at a state or state-recognised university, or confirmation of acceptance at a preparatory college (Studienkolleg) or comparable institution. The study visa also covers required preparatory language courses and compulsory internships.
If you do not yet have admission, a separate visa to seek a university place exists. It requires a school-leaving certificate that qualifies you for higher education in Germany and higher financial proof of at least EUR 1,091 per month. With this visa you can stay for up to nine months to apply for a place.
Requirement 2: Language skills
You must show language skills sufficient for your programme, unless a preparatory language course is part of your admission. The portal notes that the university, a preparatory college or a recognised language certificate can confirm this. English-taught programmes will normally ask for an English test; German-taught programmes ask for German certificates.
Requirement 3: Proof of financial resources
This is the requirement that causes the most questions. As of October 2026, students must prove access to at least EUR 992 per month, which is EUR 11,904 for a full year. The figure is linked to the maximum BAfoeG student support rate, so it changes when that rate changes.
Accepted forms of proof include:
- A blocked account (Sperrkonto), the most common option
- A formal Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklaerung) from someone living in Germany, given at a German foreigners authority
- A scholarship from a recognised source that covers the required amount
- Some missions also accept other evidence, for example the Sydney consulate lists Australian bank statements for the last three months
If your programme charges tuition fees in addition to the semester contribution, you must also show you can pay them.
How the blocked account works
The Federal Foreign Office explains the rules:
- You choose your provider. Blocked accounts can be opened with a bank or similar provider, often online, and the Federal Foreign Office does not recommend any provider.
- You deposit the required amount, usually for one year, unless your planned stay is shorter.
- You can withdraw only a fixed amount each month (currently EUR 992 for students).
- You must name an account beneficiary, either the mission where you applied or the foreigners authority after arrival. The beneficiary cannot access your money.
- Banking fees are paid on top of the blocked amount.
German missions in France state that only the official opening confirmation, showing the total deposited and the monthly amount available, is accepted at the visa appointment. Open the account well before your appointment.
My advice: start the blocked account the same week you get your admission letter. The transfer and the bank confirmation can take longer than you expect, and that confirmation is what you’ll need at your appointment.
If your visa is refused, the refusal notice is enough to lift the block and recover your funds.
Will the amount change in 2027?
Possibly. On 15 October 2026, the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) reported the first parliamentary reading of a BAfoeG reform. It plans to raise the housing allowance from EUR 380 to EUR 440 from 1 April 2027 and the basic rate from EUR 475 to EUR 503 from the 2027-28 winter semester. Because the blocked account amount follows the BAfoeG maximum rate, the required amount may rise once the law is passed and takes effect. Check your mission’s website close to your appointment date.
Requirement 4: Health insurance
You need health insurance valid in Germany. Missions typically ask for travel or incoming insurance to cover you from your arrival until statutory (public) or private student insurance starts. The Sydney consulate, for example, asks for coverage of at least EUR 30,000 including repatriation. The Federal Foreign Office notes that pure Schengen travel insurance is usually not enough for long stays.
Requirement 5: APS certificate (some countries only)
The Akademische Pruefstelle (APS) is run by German missions with the DAAD in China, India and Vietnam. It verifies academic documents. Applicants whose school-leaving certificate or degree comes from these countries generally need an APS certificate before university admission and the visa. The German missions in India list exemptions, such as doctoral applicants and holders of German or EU public scholarships.
Step-by-step: how to apply
- Get admission. Apply to universities, often via the university directly or uni-assist, and wait for your admission letter.
- Arrange financial proof. Open and fund a blocked account, or secure a scholarship letter or Declaration of Commitment.
- Buy health insurance that meets your mission’s requirements.
- Apply online. Use the Consular Services Portal where it is available for your country of residence. The mission will tell you if documents are missing.
- Attend your appointment. Bring original documents, give your fingerprints and photo, and pay the fee. Some missions use external service providers who may charge a service fee.
- Wait for a decision. Student visas often need the approval of the foreigners authority in your German city. Processing times vary. The Sydney consulate quotes about four weeks, and German missions in China quote about three weeks, longer in individual cases.
- Travel and register. After arrival, register your address and apply for your residence permit at the local foreigners authority before your visa expires.
A practical tip from going through visa paperwork myself: keep one folder, paper and digital, with every original, copy and translation in the order your mission lists them. It makes the appointment calmer and shows you quickly if something is missing.
Documents checklist
Your mission’s list is final, but most ask for:
- Completed and signed application form (from the online portal or VIDEX)
- Valid passport, usually valid for several months beyond your planned stay, plus copies
- Recent biometric passport photo (35 x 45 mm)
- University admission letter, or Studienkolleg or language course acceptance
- Proof of language skills for your programme
- School-leaving and university certificates with transcripts
- APS certificate, if applicable
- Proof of finances: blocked account confirmation, scholarship award or Declaration of Commitment
- Proof of health insurance
- CV and motivation letter, if your mission requests them
- Visa fee of EUR 75
Documents not in German or English usually need a certified translation.
Costs at a glance
| Cost | Amount (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| National visa fee | EUR 75 (adults) |
| Blocked account deposit | EUR 11,904 for 12 months (your own money, released monthly) |
| Blocked account fees | Set by the provider |
| Health insurance | Depends on provider and type |
| Semester contribution and any tuition | Set by the university |
| APS fee (if applicable) | Set by the relevant APS office |
Some scholarship holders funded from public sources are exempt from the national visa fee, according to German missions in the United States.
Working while you study
Under Section 16b of the Residence Act, a student residence permit allows work up to 140 working days a year. Days with up to four hours of work count as half days, so this is often described as 140 full or 280 half days. Alternatively, work of up to 20 hours a week during lecture periods can be counted in a way that is more favourable to you. Jobs as a student assistant at a university (studentische Nebentaetigkeiten) do not count towards the limit.
After graduation
If you complete your degree in Germany, you can apply for a residence permit to look for qualified work (Section 20 Residence Act). According to the federal Make it in Germany portal, this gives you up to 18 months to find a job, and you can work part-time without restrictions while you search. Once you have a qualifying job offer, you can switch to a work-based residence permit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking the appointment before the blocked account is confirmed. Missions want the official confirmation with the amounts shown.
- Using the wrong amount. Students need EUR 992 per month. Applicants seeking a university place or an Opportunity Card need EUR 1,091 per month.
- Relying on short travel insurance. It often does not meet the requirements for a long stay.
- Missing translations or copies. Incomplete applications can mean a new appointment.
- Applying too late. Appointment waiting times can be long in some countries. German missions in China accept applications up to six months before travel.
The blocked account amount may change in 2027. If you notice something out of date, write to contact@eurogulfguide.com and I’ll review it and update this page.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need in my blocked account for Germany in 2026?
As of October 2026, EUR 11,904 for one year (EUR 992 per month) for students. The amount may change in 2027 if the planned BAfoeG increase takes effect.
Is a blocked account mandatory?
No. It is one way to prove funds. A scholarship or a formal Declaration of Commitment can also be accepted. The foreigners authority may still ask for a blocked account later, as the Sydney consulate notes.
How long does a German student visa take?
It varies by mission and season. Official examples range from about three to four weeks after a complete application, but appointment waiting times come on top.
Can I bring my family?
Family reunification is possible in some cases but has separate requirements. Ask the mission responsible for you.
Can I work while studying in Germany?
Yes, within limits: 140 full or 280 half days a year, or up to 20 hours a week during lecture periods, plus unlimited student assistant work.
Official sources
- Consular Services Portal: Studies and seeking a university place
- Federal Foreign Office: Opening and closing a blocked account
- German missions in France: proof of financing for study stays (German)
- German Consulate General Sydney: Student visa
- German missions in the USA: Visa fees
- Section 16b Residence Act (German law text)
- German missions in India: Studies and APS
- uni-assist: Akademische Pruefstelle (APS)
- Federal Foreign Office: Health insurance for national visas (German)
- BMFTR: First reading of the BAfoeG reform, 15 October 2026 (German)
- Make it in Germany: Visa for studying
Visa rules and amounts can change, and each German mission may ask for additional documents. Always check the website of the mission responsible for you before applying. Last checked October 2026.