Study in Germany for Indian students 2027: costs, APS certificate, blocked account and student visa

How much does it cost to study in Germany for Indian students?

The biggest sum is not tuition but proof that you can live there for a year:

Health insurance is compulsory from arrival; the missions publish no premium. DAAD's cost guide says students spend €876 a month on average, including €410 on rent and €100 on insurance, doctors and medicines (22nd Social Survey, 2023).

One rule catches people out: if your university charges tuition, the missions' National Visa FAQs say the first two semesters must be paid before the visa. In Baden-Württemberg that is €3,000 up front.

Is education free at public universities in Germany?

Mostly, yes. DAAD says there are "generally no fees for Bachelor's courses or most Master's courses at state higher education institutions". You still pay the semester contribution.

The main exception is Baden-Württemberg. Its science ministry has charged non-EU students €1,500 per semester since the winter semester 2017/18; doctoral and partner-exchange students are exempt. DAAD adds that fees for non-EU students "may also apply in Bavaria", so check each programme page. Private universities set their own fees.

Blocked account Germany: €11,904 now, and what may change in 2027

The studies checklist asks for a blocked account (Sperrkonto) "currently amounting to 11,904 EUR", from which no more than €992 a month can be withdrawn. Alternatives: a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor in Germany, or a German or EU stipend of at least €992 a month.

• An Indian "Affidavit" of support is not accepted instead.
• An education loan is "additional to the blocked account"; it does not replace it.
• The missions recommend no provider; you pick one and pay its fees (Federal Foreign Office).

Why 2027 might differ. The Federal Foreign Office says the amount "is based on the maximum rates for support received by German students", that is, BAföG. The 30th BAföG amendment bill (21/8405) would raise the basic student rate to €503 from the winter semester 2027/28 and the housing allowance from €380 to €440 from the summer semester 2027 (Bundestag, 8 October 2026). It had its first reading on 15 October 2026 and went to committee. Decided: €11,904 is the figure as of 16 October 2026. Not decided: whether the bill passes, in what form, and whether the missions will change the blocked-account amount. Check the checklist when you open your account.

APS certificate: who needs it, fee and process

APS India, part of the German Embassy's science section, checks that your Indian marksheets and degrees are genuine. If you finished school or studied in India, the missions say you "almost always" need it. Exempt: PhD or postdoc applicants, German or EU public scholarship holders, students heading for a non-German degree, and holders of foreign or international qualifications such as the IB.

The process, from APS India's June 2026 leaflet and FAQs:

1. Register online at aps-india.de and print and sign the form.
2. Pay ₹18,000 (online or bank transfer). It is non-refundable whatever the outcome.
3. If the dMAT applies to you, take it.
4. Courier copies (no originals) to APS India in New Delhi. There is no walk-in counter.
5. APS verifies with your board or university. The application page says this takes "at least two weeks", longer if your college is slow to reply.
6. You receive a digitally signed PDF certificate by email. Never rename or edit it.

dMAT: the new test for some MS in Germany applicants

Planning an MS in Germany? Read the dMAT page first. The Digital Master Test, run by g.a.s.t., is now a compulsory part of the APS file for Master's applicants whose previous degree is in an "affected field", for the summer semester 2027 intake and later.

• Who is caught: applicants who registered with APS and shipped documents on or after 29 June 2026. Bachelor's and PhD applicants are not affected.
• Fee: €150, paid to g.a.s.t. at registration.
• Dates: the first test was on 26 September 2026, with certificates from 12 October 2026. The next sessions are in mid-January and mid-March, aimed at the winter semester 2027/28.
• Centres: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kolkata, Mananthavady, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune.
• Not announced as of 16 October 2026: the updated list of affected fields and the registration start date.

A low score does not automatically mean refusal, but it is printed on your APS certificate.

Germany student visa: fee, documents and waiting time

For a stay of over 90 days you need a national (D) visa. The fee is €75, shown as ₹8,300 on the missions' page dated 1 October 2026, paid in rupees on the appointment day, plus VFS's service fee, and is not refunded on refusal.

The studies checklist asks for:

• a passport issued in the last 10 years
• Class 10 and 12 marksheets (Bachelor's) or degree and semester marksheets (Master's)
• the APS certificate and admission letter
• a language certificate
• a motivation letter (written by you) and a CV
• proof of funds, and of fees paid if any
• health insurance from your arrival date

Waiting time. None is published. The FAQs say processing "may take several months" and status questions are not answered in the first three months. An undated Mumbai consulate notice warns of a long waiting list for student appointments.

Since 3 June 2026, Indians no longer need an airport transit visa for German airports (German missions).

How to apply: from admission to visa

1. Shortlist programmes. uni-assist says deadlines are often 15 July for the winter semester and 15 January for the summer semester, earlier for many Master's courses.
2. Apply early. uni-assist advises at least eight weeks before the deadline; evaluation takes 4 to 6 weeks (deadlines page). Its fee is €75 for the first programme and €30 for each extra one.
3. Start APS (and the dMAT if required) at the same time.
4. Open the blocked account once admitted, and buy health insurance from your arrival date.
5. Apply on the Consular Services Portal, choose the mission for your state, upload documents, then book the VFS appointment.
6. After arrival, register your address and apply for a residence permit.

IELTS or German? Language proof for your course

Many German programmes are taught in English (study-in-germany.com). For the visa, the missions want proof in your course's language and say "generally the required level of knowledge is C1" for direct entry to a degree. Recognised: Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan, ÖSD or telc for German; IELTS or other ALTE-member tests for English. Duolingo, Pearson PTE and TOEFL Home Edition are not recognised in India, nor are medium-of-instruction letters.

Can you work in Germany as a student, and stay after graduating?

Section 16b of the Residence Act lets students work up to 140 full days a year. A day of up to four hours counts as half a day, so that is 280 half days. Student assistant jobs at the university do not count.

After you graduate, Section 20 gives a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for a job, provided you can support yourself.

Gujarat students: visa office, dMAT centre and state loans

• Visa: Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu come under the German Consulate General Mumbai, so pick Mumbai on the portal.
• dMAT: Ahmedabad is one of the ten listed test centres.
• APS: documents go by courier to New Delhi; no travel needed.
• State loans: Gujarat offers ₹15 lakh foreign-study loans at 4%: the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar loan for SC students (no income limit), the SEBC loan (family income below ₹10 lakh, 60% in Class 12) and GUEEDC's loan for unreserved students (income up to ₹6 lakh), via e-Samaj Kalyan or the GUEEDC portal. A loan is still additional to the blocked account. Details in our study abroad scholarships guide.

Where to go next

• IELTS exam guide
• Master of Science course guide
• Study abroad scholarships for Indian students 2027-28
• Other countries: UK student visa fees and Graduate Route and Australia student visa rules
• Study abroad colleges and counsellors on CareerBox
• CareerBox News