https://youtu.be/TNwjl4Z8qcg

 If you’re dreaming about studying in Germany, you’re probably wondering “How much is it actually going to cost?” 🤔We’ll break down all the essential expenses for applicants. From exam fees and visa costs to living expenses in euros and rupees, we’ve got you covered.

1. English Proficiency Tests (IELTS/TOEFL)

Most German universities (especially for English-taught programs) require proof of English proficiency. The two most common exams are IELTS and TOEFL iBT. Here’s what they cost:

• IELTS: The exam fee in India is INR 18,000 (about €200) (IELTS Exam Fee in India 2025 | IDP IELTS India). This applies to both IELTS Academic and General Training, whether paper-based or computer-based – the fee is the same.
• TOEFL iBT: The registration fee in India is ₹16,900 (roughly €187) (TOEFL iBT Test Fees). This is the standard fee to take the test at a center or at home.

(If you’re taking a German-taught program instead, you might need a German language exam like TestDaF or DSH – those cost around ₹12,000–15,000.) (How to Study in Germany for Indian Students Guide (2025/2026))

Tip: Budget for these exam fees early. Both IELTS and TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years, so plan your test date so your scores are ready when applications open.

2. APS Certificate – New Requirement for Indian Students

If you’re an Indian student, listen up! Starting in late 2022, Germany introduced the APS (Academic Evaluation Center) certificate as a mandatory step for student visa applications and university admissions (How to Study in Germany for Indian Students Guide (2025/2026)). Essentially, APS verifies your academic transcripts.

• APS Fee: The APS verification costs ₹18,000 (non-refundable), which is about €200. You’ll need to transfer this fee to the designated APS bank account and include the receipt in your APS application.

Why is APS important? Without it, Indian students cannot get a student visa for Germany now. It’s a new cost that previous intakes didn’t have to pay, so be sure to factor this in. (The APS certificate became mandatory from November 2022 (How to Study in Germany for Indian Students Guide (2025/2026)), so Winter 2025 is one of the first full intakes where everyone must have it.) It adds time and expense to your application process, so apply for APS well in advance!

3. University Application Fees (Uni-Assist and Direct Applications)

Next up, let’s talk about applying to universities. Germany has two main application routes:

• Via Uni-Assist: Uni-Assist is a centralized service that processes applications for many German universities. They charge a handling fee of €75 for your first university/course choice, and about €30 for each additional course in the same semester (Handling fees | uni-assist). In rupees, that’s roughly ₹6,750 for the first application and ₹2,700 for each extra. For example, applying to 3 programs via Uni-Assist would cost around €135 total (Handling fees | uni-assist). (Pro tip: Some universities will cover your Uni-Assist fee – your Uni-Assist portal will note if an application is free because the university pays for it (Handling fees | uni-assist).)
• Direct Applications: Many public universities allow you to apply directly through their own portals without any fee. Top schools like TUM, LMU, RWTH Aachen, etc., traditionally didn’t charge application fees for direct applicants (Top Universities in Germany With No Application Fees for 2025) (Top Universities in Germany With No Application Fees for 2025). So, if you apply directly, you often pay ₹0. However, there are exceptions – a few universities might charge a small administrative fee (around €50) or require a special document (for example, TUM asks some students to get a VPD document through Uni-Assist, which costs €75). Always check each university’s requirements.

In short: budget around €75-€105 (₹6k–₹9k) if you’ll use Uni-Assist for one or two applications, and possibly no fee for any direct applications. It’s one area where Germany is quite friendly on your wallet compared to universities in other countries.

4. Entrance Exam (TestAS – For Undergraduate Applicants)

What about entrance tests? For most Master’s applicants, there’s usually no general entrance exam (apart from language tests). But if you’re applying for undergraduate studies or certain programs, you might come across TestAS – an aptitude test for international students. It’s not required by all universities, but some use it to assess bachelor’s applicants. Also, Indian students who haven’t taken exams like JEE might take TestAS to strengthen their APS application.

• TestAS Fee: The cost can vary by country and test center. Typically, it’s around €80, but it can go up to €150 in some locations (TestAS Exam: Everything You Need to Know). (₹80 * 90 = ₹7,200; ₹150 * 90 = ₹13,500). In India, many sources cite €150 (~₹13,500) (Test for Academic Studies (TestAS Exam): Fees, Pattern – Shiksha) as the registration fee. In other regions it might be lower (€80). So, budget roughly ₹7k–₹13k if you plan to take TestAS.

Good news: If you’re a Master’s applicant, you can skip this – it’s mostly for undergrad. And even for undergrads, it’s only needed by certain universities or in specific cases (the German APS in some countries mandates TestAS for bachelor’s degree aspirants without other entrance exams (Test for Academic Studies: TestAS dates and registration) (Test for Academic Studies: TestAS dates and registration)). So check your requirements before paying for this exam.

5. Visa Application Fee

Once you have your admits, it’s time to tackle the visa process. For a German student national visa (long stay visa), the fee is €75 for adults (Visa Fees – Federal Foreign Office ). In India, this is paid in local currency – currently ₹6,800 as per the latest update in April 2023 (Change in Visa Fees – Schengen Visa and National Visa – Federal Foreign Office ) (Change in Visa Fees – Schengen Visa and National Visa – Federal Foreign Office ). This fee is usually paid at the visa application center (VFS) when you submit your documents.

Note: ₹6,800 covers the visa processing by the Embassy. There might be an additional VFS service charge (a small amount, roughly ₹1,000 or so) for the handling and logistics. Also, if you need your passport couriered back, that could be extra. But those are minor compared to other costs.

Importantly, this visa fee is non-refundable – so make sure you have all required documents (APS certificate, admission letter, blocked account, etc.) before you apply.

(FYI: As of 2025, the visa fee for a student hasn’t changed from €75 (How to Study in Germany for Indian Students Guide (2025/2026)). If you read older guides mentioning €60, note that it increased some time ago. Now it’s uniform for all national visas.)

6. Flights to Germany

Now, let’s talk about actually getting to Germany – booking your flight! ✈️ This cost can vary widely depending on when you book, which airline, and where in India you’re flying from. Here’s a ballpark:

• A one-way economy flight from India to Germany typically ranges from ₹30,000 to ₹60,000 (that’s roughly €330–€660). If you book early and catch student deals, you might find fares on the lower end of that range. For example, as of mid-2025 Air India was advertising one-way student fares from Delhi to Frankfurt for about ₹26,000 (Book Flights to Germany starting INR 26,034 in 2025 | Air India), and Mumbai to Frankfurt around ₹28,000 (Book Flights to Germany starting INR 26,034 in 2025 | Air India). Those are pretty good deals!
• On the higher end, if you’re flying peak season (say in August) or with more luggage allowance, it could be ₹50k or more. A round-trip is usually not needed for a student visa (one-way is fine), but if you do round-trip for convenience, double the cost (though sometimes round-trip can be only slightly more than one-way).

Pro Tip: Many airlines offer special student fares – these often include extra baggage (like 2 bags of 23 kg) which is super useful when moving abroad. Air India, Lufthansa, Emirates, etc., have student deals. Also, try to book at least 1-2 months in advance for better prices. For budgeting, we’ll consider ~₹40,000 (≈ €445) as a mid-range one-way ticket in our total cost calculation, knowing it can be a bit less or more. (India to Germany – Cheap Flights – Wego)

7. Blocked Account – Proof of Funds

Germany requires international students to prove they have enough money to cover living expenses. The most common way is by opening a Blocked Account (“Sperrkonto”) and depositing a year’s living costs in advance. You can’t freely withdraw all the money at once – it’s “blocked,” and once you arrive in Germany you get a monthly allowance out of it, ensuring you always have money to live on.

How much needs to be in the blocked account? This amount was recently increased due to rising living costs. For Winter 2025 applicants, you need to show €11,904 for one year (National Visa – Students’ increased living cost requirement – Federal Foreign Office ). This works out to €992 per month that you’re allowed to withdraw (National Visa – Students’ increased living cost requirement – Federal Foreign Office ). (Earlier intakes needed €10,332 or €11,208 – but since Sept 2024, it’s €11,904/year (National Visa – Students’ increased living cost requirement – Federal Foreign Office )). In Indian currency, €11,904 is roughly ₹10.7 lakh (1.07 million rupees).

So, yes, it’s a big chunk of money. Think of it as ~₹90,000 per month of expected living expense, which aligns with the German government’s estimate for student living costs. You’ll need to have this amount ready and transfer it into a special blocked account (with providers like Expatrio, Fintiba, or a German bank) before your visa appointment. The bank will give you a confirmation letter which you include in your visa application to prove your financial solvency.

Important: This blocked amount does not include any tuition fees. If your university charges tuition (more on that soon), you must show funds for tuition separately – i.e., on top of the €11,904 (National Visa – Tuition Fees and Blocked Account – Federal Foreign Office ) (National Visa – Tuition Fees and Blocked Account – Federal Foreign Office ). For instance, if you have to pay €1,500/sem tuition, you might need to show that payment or an extra €3,000 for the first year in your account in addition to the blocked account. The German consulate in Mumbai explicitly states that the blocked account cannot be used to cover tuition – you have to prove you can pay tuition as well (National Visa – Tuition Fees and Blocked Account – Federal Foreign Office ) (National Visa – Tuition Fees and Blocked Account – Federal Foreign Office ).

In summary: Blocked Account = €11,904 (~₹10.7 lakh) locked for living costs. Make sure you account for the bank’s service charges too (providers charge around €50-€150 for setting up a blocked account service).

8. Health Insurance (Student Insurance)

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany – you won’t be allowed to enroll at university without it, and you need at least a travel health insurance to get your visa approved. There are two phases to consider:

• Travel Health Insurance for Visa: Often, students get a 3-month travel health insurance (from companies like Reliance, Tata AIG, etc. or via packages from Expatrio/Fintiba) to cover the initial period in Germany until you enroll in a student health plan. This is relatively cheap (around €30-€60 for 3 months, ≈ ₹2,700-₹5,400). Many blocked account providers include it by default for visa purposes.
• Student Health Insurance (Public): Once you enroll, you’ll switch to a German public student health insurance (or a private one if you prefer). Public health insurance is highly recommended for students under 30. In 2025, the cost for student public insurance is around €130–€150 per month (Health Insurance for International Students in Germany). For example, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) – a popular insurer – costs about €132 per month for students (Cost of Health Insurance in Germany). That includes health and nursing care insurance. In rupees, that’s roughly ₹11,000–₹13,500 per month for insurance.

For students under 23 years old, it’s a few euros cheaper (because a small “no kids” surcharge in nursing care insurance is waived). So younger students might pay around €120-€130 (≈₹10,000-₹11,700) monthly (Costs of Health Insurance in Germany – Expatrio). Students above 30 pay much higher premiums (so try to start your program before age 30 to lock in student rates!).

Bottom line: All students should budget roughly €130/month for health insurance during the study period. Over a 2-year master’s, for example, that’s about €3,000 (₹2.7 lakh) in insurance costs. It’s not optional – but the good news is German public insurance is very comprehensive (doctor visits, basic dental, many medications, etc., are covered).

(Pro tip: Pay your semester’s insurance in one go if possible – ~€600 for 6 months – so you don’t worry monthly. Some universities ask for insurance confirmation at enrollment.)

9. Semester Contribution (Student Union & Transport)

Germany is famous for no tuition fee at public universities, but that doesn’t mean completely free – every student pays a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag). This is not tuition; it’s an administrative fee covering student services, student union, and often a public transport ticket for the semester.

• The semester contribution ranges from about €100 to €400 per semester depending on the university and city (Costs of education and living – DAAD). Each university sets its own amount. For example, smaller towns may be around €150, while Berlin universities are closer to €300-€350 because it includes an all-inclusive transit pass. The national average is usually ~€250/semester (₹22,500).

Some examples for context:

• Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Munich – around €147 per semester (this included a basic transit ticket) before WS24/25.
• Universität Hamburg – about €282 per semester as of 2024 (includes transit) (Semester contribution : UHH – Universität Hamburg).
• TU Berlin – roughly €307 per semester in 2024 (with transit).
• University of Heidelberg – ~€171 per semester (lower because transport ticket is separate).

You’ll pay the semester contribution at enrollment and then each semester before classes start. This fee also often covers things like student cafeteria subsidies, campus sports, and sometimes a small fee for certain services.

When planning finances, remember to set aside this amount every 6 months. For one year, assume ~€500 (₹45,000) for semester contributions in total (could be a bit less or more based on your uni). (Why study in Germany? – Hochschule Heilbronn)

10. Tuition Fees (Public Universities & Exceptions)

One huge advantage of studying in Germany is that most public universities charge no tuition fees for Bachelor’s and consecutive Master’s programs. However, there are important exceptions that have emerged, especially for non-EU students. Let’s break it down:

• No Tuition (most public universities): If you go to, say, TU Berlin, University of Cologne, or any public university outside certain states, you won’t pay tuition for regular programs. You just pay the semester contribution discussed above.
• Baden-Württemberg Tuition: Since Winter 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg (home to universities like Stuttgart, Karlsruhe KIT, Heidelberg, Freiburg, etc.) does charge tuition to non-EU students. The fee is €1,500 per semester (i.e., €3,000 per year) (Tuition Fees for International Students: Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg). This is a state policy. So if you attend, for example, University of Stuttgart or Heidelberg University as an Indian student, you’ll pay €1,500 each semester (in addition to the semester contribution). There are some exemptions (e.g., for PhD, exchange, or those who did schooling in Germany), but most degree-seeking non-EU students have to pay. €1,500 ≈ ₹135,000 per semester.
• New Tuition in Bavaria (TUM and others): Here’s a big update for Winter 2024/25 onward: The Technical University of Munich (TUM) has introduced tuition fees for new international students from non-EU countries (Studiengebühren für Studierende aus Nicht-EU-Ländern – TUM) (Studiengebühren für Studierende aus Nicht-EU-Ländern – TUM). Under a new Bavarian law (BayHIG), TUM will charge €2,000 or €3,000 per semester for Bachelor’s programs and €4,000 or €6,000 per semester for Master’s programs, depending on the program and subject (Studiengebühren für Studierende aus Nicht-EU-Ländern – TUM). They announced the specific fees by program in Nov 2023. For example, a B.Sc. in Engineering might be €3,000/sem, whereas an M.Sc. in Management might be €4,000/sem – it varies. This is a huge change, as TUM was free up to 2023. Other Bavarian universities might follow, but as of now TUM is the main one implementing these higher fees for non-EU students.
  To put that in rupees: €4,000 is ₹360,000 per semester. So a 2-year MSc at TUM could cost ₹14.4 lakh in tuition alone. 😮 (Remember, this is new – introduced to invest in teaching infrastructure. TUM plans some scholarships to offset costs (Studiengebühren für Studierende aus Nicht-EU-Ländern – TUM), but you should be prepared.)
• Private Universities: Note, our focus is on public unis. Private universities in Germany (like some business schools) always charged tuition, often €5,000+ per semester. But since most Indian students aim for public universities, just be aware private ones have their own fee structures.

In summary, check if your university has tuition fees for your status. Most public schools = no tuition, except Baden-Württemberg = €1,500/sem, and now TUM (and possibly other Bavarian unis) = higher fees. If you get an admit from a Baden-Württemberg university or TUM, be ready to show you can pay those fees. The German visa officers will require proof that you’ve paid or have funds for the first year’s tuition in addition to the blocked account (National Visa – Tuition Fees and Blocked Account – Federal Foreign Office ) (National Visa – Tuition Fees and Blocked Account – Federal Foreign Office ).

(Also, some master’s programs that are “non-consecutive” or in English (like certain specialized programs) might charge tuition even at other universities – always double-check the specific program page.)

11. Living Expenses in Germany (Monthly Costs)

Tuition or no tuition, you’ll need money to live in Germany. We touched on this with the blocked account, but let’s break down typical monthly living costs for a student, so you know where that €992/month figure comes from:

• Rent: This is your biggest expense. Student dorms or shared flats (WG) can range from ~€300 in smaller cities to €500+ in Munich or Frankfurt. Let’s say €350/month as a moderate average (₹31,500). Major cities could be higher, but many students find cheaper by sharing rooms or living slightly outside city centers.
• Food: If you cook most meals and occasionally eat at the university canteen (Mensa), expect around €150-€200 per month (₹13,500-₹18,000) on groceries and dining. Cooking at home is budget-friendly, and many Mensas offer meals for €2-€5 for students.
• Health Insurance: ~€130 as we noted (₹11,700).
• Transportation: Many semester contributions include a transit pass. If not, or if you need to top-up (like buying a student discounted monthly ticket), budget ~€30-€50 (₹2,700-₹4,500) per month. If you have the semester ticket included, then you effectively already paid this via the semester fee.
• Phone & Internet: A prepaid SIM plan might be ~€10-€20 (₹900-₹1,800) per month for calls + data. Home internet might be split with roommates, ~€10-€15 per person (₹900-₹1,350). Sometimes dorms include internet.
• Utilities: If your rent doesn’t include electricity/heat, add ~€50 (₹4,500) for those. (Many student rents are “warm” inclusive of utilities, but in private flats you split utilities).
• Miscellaneous: Books, leisure, clothing, etc. – maybe €50-€100 (₹4,500-₹9,000) depending on your lifestyle. As a student you can get by with frugal spending; plus, part-time job opportunities can help cover these personal expenses once you’re there.

Adding that up, a typical student might spend around €850 to €1,000 per month in total (Living Costs for a Student in Germany). Indeed, the official average used to be about €853 and got revised to €934 and now €992. Many students live on less than €992 and save a bit each month from their blocked account, but €992 gives a safety net for higher-cost cities or inflation.

So for one year, living costs ≈ €10,000 – €12,000 (₹9–11 lakh). This is the real cost that everyone has, whether or not you pay tuition.

Don’t forget initial expenses: When you first arrive, you may have one-time costs like a security deposit for your room (often 2-3 months’ rent, which you’ll get back later), buying winter clothing or bedding, setting up your room, registering your address (small city fee €10-€50), and getting your residence permit card (around €100) (Residence Permit for International Students in Germany) (German Student Visa, Permit, and Requirements (Updated for 2025)). These initial setup costs can easily be another €500-€800 (₹45k-₹72k) in the first month. Make sure to have some extra funds for these. (The blocked account covers monthly living, but not lump-sum deposits or purchases, since you can only withdraw ~€992 monthly. So bring some additional money for the start-up expenses or use a portion of your blocked money from the first couple months.)

12. Recent Changes & Updates for Winter 2025 Applicants

Let’s recap the new changes/policies that specifically affect Winter 2025 (and beyond) students:

• APS Certificate: As discussed, this is a new mandatory step for Indian (and some other countries’) students since late 2022 (How to Study in Germany for Indian Students Guide (2025/2026)). If you’re applying in 2025, you must get APS – which means extra ₹18k cost and some processing time. Plan for it; previous batches didn’t have to do this, but you do.
• Blocked Account Amount Increase: The required proof of finances went up from €10,332/year to €11,208 and now to €11,904/year (National Visa – Students’ increased living cost requirement – Federal Foreign Office ). This change took full effect from September 2024, so Winter 2025 applicants absolutely have to meet the higher €992/month threshold. Essentially, you need about ₹60k more than students did a couple years ago to show for your visa. This was due to an update in German regulations (BAföG) acknowledging higher student living costs (National Visa – Students’ increased living cost requirement – Federal Foreign Office ).
• Tuition Fees in Bavaria: The biggest headline in German higher ed this year was that Bavaria introduced tuition for non-EU students at some universities, ending a long tradition of free education. TUM is the first major university implementing it in Winter 2024/25 (Studiengebühren für Studierende aus Nicht-EU-Ländern – TUM). So if you’re aiming for TUM (a top choice for many), count in those fees. The policy may extend to other Bavarian universities in future, but as of 2025 TUM is the main one. Keep an eye on announcements from any admits you get in Bavaria.
• Visa Fee Slight Adjustment: As noted, in 2023 the visa fee was adjusted to ₹6,800 for student visas (Change in Visa Fees – Schengen Visa and National Visa – Federal Foreign Office ), but that’s a minor change (still ~€75). No new increase as of 2025, but always double-check the embassy info before your appointment.
• Residence Permit Fee: Not exactly new, but be aware when you arrive in Germany, converting your visa to a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) will cost about €110 (≈ ₹10,000) for the biometric permit card (Residence Permit for International Students in Germany). Extensions cost ~€100. Make sure to register and get your residence permit appointment early on.
• Covid/TRAVEL Updates: (By 2025, COVID-19 related travel restrictions have eased, so no extra costs like tests or quarantine. Just ensure you meet any vaccine requirements if they exist – currently, no such mandates specifically for students.)
• Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte): This is not directly for students, but Germany is rolling out new immigration pathways (like the Chancenkarte) (National Visa – Students’ increased living cost requirement – Federal Foreign Office ). It doesn’t affect student visas directly, but indicates Germany is trying to attract young talent. Perhaps more student-friendly policies or part-time work opportunities could emerge – stay tuned via official sources.

Alright! That covers the nitty-gritty of costs.

Conclusion – Total Cost Estimate & Final Tips

Now that we’ve itemized everything, what’s the total cost you should be ready for? Let’s add a hypothetical scenario for one student applying from India to a public university (no tuition) in Winter 2025:

• Exams (IELTS+TOEFL) – pick one: ~₹17,000
• APS certificate: ₹18,000
• Applications: say 3 via Uni-Assist = ~€135 = ₹12,000 (or less if some direct free)
• Visa fee: ₹6,800
• Flight (one-way): ~₹40,000
• Blocked account: €11,904 = ~₹10,70,000 (remember, you’ll use this for living expenses over the year)
• Travel Insurance: ₹5,000 (approx for 3 months)
• Health Insurance (1st year): ~€130×12 = €1,560 = ₹1,40,000
• Semester contributions: ~€300×2 = €600 = ₹54,000 per year (could be less depending on uni)
• Initial settling costs: ~₹50,000 (deposit, setup, residence permit fee, etc.)
• Living costs beyond blocked (if any extras): You might still use mostly the blocked account for living. Part-time jobs can supplement this once you arrive.

If we exclude the blocked account (since it’s your own money you’ll live on, not a fee you “lose”), the upfront cash outflow before or during arrival is roughly ₹1.5 – 2 lakh (for fees, ticket, initial costs) plus having ₹10+ lakh in a blocked account which you’ll gradually spend. And if you have tuition fees, add those on top (e.g., ₹3 lakh/year for BW, or much more for TUM). Every situation will differ, but these numbers give you a realistic picture.

Final Tips:

• Always check official sources (we’ve linked many in the description for you!). For example, DAAD and university websites are great for up-to-date cost info. We’ve used sources like the German missions in India, DAAD, Uni-Assist, Expatrio, etc., to ensure data is current and accurate for 2025.
• Keep an eye on exchange rates. We used €1 = ₹90 for estimates. The rupee rate can fluctuate, so a slight buffer is wise.
• Look out for scholarships or part-time jobs to ease the financial burden. Many students work part-time in Germany – earnings can be around €450-€800 per month which can cover a good chunk of living expenses. Just remember, you cannot rely on that for visa – you must show funds up front (like the blocked account). But once there, you can definitely work and earn in euros.
• Plan and save early. The biggest hurdle is showing finances for the visa. If you plan a year in advance, you can gather the required savings, or secure an education loan if needed (loans are acceptable for visa if the amount covers €11,904 + any tuition). Some banks will disburse directly into a blocked account for you.

Studying in Germany is an amazing investment in your future – the education is world-class and, as we saw, often cheaper than other countries when you factor in low tuition. But you have to be financially prepared to make the most of it.

Good luck with your applications, and bis bald (see you soon) in Germany! 👋