Studying your master's in Germany: Costs, funding and visa guide 2026
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Germany offers low or no tuition — but the full cost picture is more nuanced. This guide breaks down what you'll actually spend, how the blocked account works, and how to fund your master's in 2026.
If you're weighing up a master's in Germany, the pitch is simple: low or no tuition, strong universities, and a growing number of English-taught programmes. The harder part is working out exactly what you'll spend and how you'll fund it. Here's the full picture, with real numbers.
Tuition: Public vs private universities
At public universities, master's tuition is free for students of any nationality in almost every German state. You'll pay a semester contribution instead, roughly €100–400, according to DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, which typically covers student services, your student union, and often a transport ticket.
The exception is Baden-Württemberg, where non-EU/EEA students pay €1,500 per semester (around €3,000 a year) at public universities, on top of the standard contribution, confirmed on the same DAAD page. A small number of Bavarian universities may also charge non-EU/EEA fees at their own discretion.
Private universities are a different story: fees vary widely by institution and programme, and can run into the tens of thousands of euros a year, so always confirm the exact figure for your specific course before assuming Germany means a free degree.
Living costs: What to actually budget
DAAD's own data puts average student living costs at around €842 a month about €10,100 a year, covering rent, food, transport, health insurance, and phone or internet. This is a national average, and it varies a lot by city: expect Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg to run higher, and smaller university towns to cost noticeably less.
The blocked account: Germany's proof-of-funds requirement
To get a German student visa, most students need to open a blocked account (Sperrkonto), which releases a fixed amount each month rather than allowing full access to the funds at once. As of 2026, the requirement is €11,904 for the year, released at €992 a month, per the German Federal Foreign Office.
Note the gap between this figure and DAAD's average living-cost estimate (€10,100/year), the blocked account amount is a regulatory minimum set by immigration authorities, not a measured average, so treat €11,000–12,000 as your safe planning range rather than the bare minimum.
If you have a scholarship from DAAD, Erasmus+, or another recognised funder, a scholarship confirmation letter can often substitute for the blocked account, worth checking with your specific visa office.
The visa process for master's students
Apply for a national (Type D) study visa at your local German embassy or consulate, often via the digital Consular Services Portal.
Open your blocked account before your appointment, or prepare your scholarship confirmation letter.
Arrange health insurance, required for both your visa and university enrolment.
Register your address (Anmeldung) after arriving in Germany, within the required window.
Collect your biometric residence permit from your local Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) once you've registered.
Nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, and the US can enter visa-free and apply for their residence permit after arrival instead. Requirements can vary between consulates, so check with your specific German mission for exact steps.
A worked first-year budget
For a master's student outside Baden-Württemberg, a realistic first-year total looks roughly like:
Tuition: €0 at most public universities (semester contribution only, ~€200–700/year)
Living costs: €10,000–12,000, depending on your city
Blocked account requirement: €11,904 (this typically covers your living costs above)
Health insurance and visa costs: a few hundred euros
Setup costs: accommodation deposit, travel, initial furnishing
For most students, the blocked account figure, around €12,000 for the year is the realistic number to plan your funding around, since it needs to be available before your visa is granted.
After you graduate: Recouping the investment
Germany's low tuition is only part of the value equation, what happens after graduation matters too. Graduates of a recognised German university can apply for a residence permit of up to 18 months to search for qualifying work, under Section 20 of the German Residence Act, working any job to support themselves in the meantime. From there, a qualifying job offer typically opens the door to a longer-term work permit, such as the EU Blue Card.
Funding your German master's
Even with tuition largely out of the equation, the blocked account and first-year living costs represent real upfront money, often needed before you can even collect your visa. Prodigy Finance offers loans with no cosigner and no collateral, assessed on your future earning potential rather than your family's income or a guarantor, with a representative APR of 13.38%*. An approved loan can also help you demonstrate the funds Germany's blocked-account requirement asks for, and we send funds for tuition directly to your school where tuition applies.
The bottom line
A German master's can be genuinely affordable on tuition, but don't let that mask the real cost: budget €11,000–12,000 for your first year to satisfy the blocked account requirement, confirm whether your specific university or state charges non-EU fees, and start your visa paperwork with the blocked account as your first priority, since it typically takes the longest to arrange.
Thinking about funding your move to Germany? WhatsApp* us to check your eligibility with Prodigy Finance in a few minutes.
