Germany has become one of the leading study destinations for foreign learners due to the country’s cultural diversity, high quality of life, historical relevance, world-class institutions, excellent higher education system, and booming economy.
Germany makes “studying for free” realistic because most public universities charge no tuition fees, even for non-EU students, and you only pay a small semester contribution instead. When you combine this with fully funded scholarships like the DAAD Scholarship, development-focused awards such as the DAAD EPOS Scholarship, public-policy funding like the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship, or merit-based support such as the national Deutschlandstipendium, your tuition and living costs can effectively be covered. This is exactly what students like Maria Voronkova, Evi Mariana, Grace Achieng Ochieng, and Nawshin Tabassum have done: they study at German universities on scholarships that cover tuition, provide a monthly stipend, and often pay for flights, insurance, and language courses. If you’re interested, keep reading this article, as it will offer valuable insight into how you can study in Germany for free.
How to Study in Germany for Free with Scholarships: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Understand What “Free” Study in Germany Really Means
At most public universities in Germany, both EU and non-EU students pay no tuition fees; instead, you pay a semester contribution, usually around a few hundred euros, which often even includes a public transport ticket. Maria Voronkova, who studies at a public university in Germany, explains that international students generally only pay this semester fee, typically in the €300–€400 range, rather than full tuition. That is why, in Germany, the main financial challenge is not tuition, but living costs and visa requirements.
To get a student visa, you must normally prove you can cover about one year of living expenses, often via a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Since 2024/2025, the standard amount is calculated at around €992 per month, or about €11,904 for 12 months, although embassies can ask for slightly different amounts. Scholarships from organizations such as DAAD can partly or fully replace the blocked account requirement if they meet the official funding threshold, so always check with the German embassy or consulate handling your visa. Once you understand that tuition is usually zero and that scholarships can cover most or all of your living costs, it becomes clear why so many students realistically study in Germany “for free.”
Step 2: Map Out Your Scholarship Pathway
Your next move is to decide which funding route fits your profile. The most famous option is the family of DAAD Scholarships, which support master’s, PhD, research stays, and specialized programs. Many DAAD master’s scholarships provide around €934–€992 per month plus health insurance, travel allowance, and sometimes a preparatory German language course, while DAAD doctoral awards can go up to about €1,300 per month with research and travel funds. Gular Huseynova reports that her DAAD study scholarship in Germany pays around €1,000 per month plus health insurance, and Gayathri Gaganan shares that her DAAD doctoral scholarship provides €1,300 monthly plus research and travel allowances, allowing her to focus fully on her PhD research in Germany.
If your interests are development-related, the DAAD EPOS Scholarship offers fully funded master’s and PhD programs with tuition, a monthly stipend, flights, language courses, and research support. Evi Mariana used DAAD EPOS funding to complete an MBA at Leipzig University and a PhD at Justus Liebig University Giessen, both fully funded, including living allowance, German language courses, and research travel. Similarly, Samida Sher won the DAAD EPOS scholarship to study Photogrammetry and Geoinformatics in Germany; her award covers full tuition, her living expenses, and travel costs, while also building on her professional work in disaster management and GIS.
For future public-policy leaders, the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship is another fully funded route. Nawshin Tabassum chose Germany over a fully funded offer in the United States because the Helmut-Schmidt-Programme at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences provided full funding and strong preparation for social-protection work. Likewise, Hajra used the same scholarship to pursue a master’s at the University of Passau, with her stipend of roughly €992 per month covering tuition, living costs, health insurance, and travel. On top of these, the German government’s national merit award, the Deutschlandstipendium, pays €300 per month (half from private sponsors, half from the state). Maria Voronkova combined the tuition-free nature of her public university with the Deutschlandstipendium to cover a substantial part of her living costs while studying in Germany.
A practical way to start is by exploring the Global Scholarships’ scholarship database, then making a shortlist of programs where the tuition is already free and multiple scholarship options exist.
Step 3: Build the Academic and Professional Profile German Scholarships Expect
German scholarships are highly competitive and strongly merit-based, so your grades and academic track record matter a lot. Bharath Kumar, who received a DAAD KOSPIE scholarship to research additive manufacturing at TU Braunschweig, had a near-perfect GPA of 9.89/10 in his bachelor’s and over 9.2/10 in his master’s before applying. Nawshin Tabassum finished first in her class with a CGPA of 3.78/4.00 in Women and Gender Studies before winning the Helmut-Schmidt scholarship, and Grace Achieng Ochieng already held both a BSc and an MSc with strong research in plant breeding before starting her DAAD-funded PhD at the University of Bonn. Strong transcripts show that you can handle rigorous coursework and research in Germany.
Equally important is meaningful experience that connects to your chosen field. DAAD EPOS, in particular, expects at least two years of relevant professional work. Samida Sher worked as a GIS officer in the disaster management department of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat before applying, which made her an ideal fit for a development-oriented geoinformatics program. Evi Mariana built a career in corporate social responsibility, then linked that experience to her MBA in SME development and later to her PhD on sustainable value chains, all funded through DAAD. Grace reinforced her application by highlighting hands-on genomics research and mentoring relationships that prepared her for Bonn’s research-intensive environment. When you choose projects, internships, or jobs, think about how they will help you tell a coherent story that matches a specific German program or scholarship.
Step 4: Prepare for Language Requirements and Application Documents
Germany allows you to study for free in both English and German, but language requirements depend on the program. Many tuition-free master’s courses are fully English-taught, in which case you’ll normally need an English test such as IELTS or TOEFL unless your previous degree was taught in English. For German-taught programs, universities usually expect at least B1–B2 German at the time of application, with proof via exams such as TestDaF or DSH. A big advantage of scholarships like DAAD is that they often include a fully funded intensive German language course in Germany before your degree starts, bringing you to the level needed for academic work and everyday life.
Your written application materials are just as crucial. In her DAAD-funded PhD journey, Grace spent considerable time drafting a motivation letter that explained how further study in Germany would build on her previous research in drought-tolerant crops and how Bonn’s research environment matched her goals. Nawshin emphasized her first-in-class academic record and her commitment to gender-focused social protection policies, while Evi clearly connected her CSR work with her interest in SME development and sustainable food systems. Make sure your CV, transcripts, language certificates, recommendation letters, research proposal, and motivation letter all tell the same story: that your background naturally leads to this specific German program and that funding you will have real impact.
Step 5: Prove Your Finances Smartly and Combine Funding Sources
Even when tuition is free, the German visa process requires you to prove you can cover your living costs, typically equivalent to around €992 per month or €11,904 for one year in a blocked account. However, if you hold a fully funded scholarship such as a major DAAD Scholarship, the DAAD EPOS Scholarship, or the Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship, your scholarship letter can often serve as proof of financing, sometimes reducing or removing the blocked account requirement. Because rules differ slightly by embassy and visa type, always confirm how your specific scholarship interacts with the blocked account requirement at the consulate where you apply.
Many students also strategically combine funding sources. For example, a typical DAAD master’s stipend of around €934–€992 per month roughly matches official estimates of what a student needs for living expenses in Germany, while a Deutschlandstipendium of €300 per month can top up your budget if your main scholarship or personal savings are slightly below that level. Maria notes that students at German public universities are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester, which can further supplement scholarship funding, though finding English-only jobs can be challenging in some cities. When planning, create a realistic budget that includes rent, health insurance, food, transport, and semester contributions, and then see how scholarships, part-time work, and savings can cover each part.
Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in Germany
Several German universities provide tuition-free bachelor’s degree programs, which offer opportunities for international students to study for free in Germany. Some institutions that have free tuition for undergraduates are the University of Bonn and Goethe University Frankfurt.
Besides going to tuition-free universities, international students studying for a bachelor’s degree may apply for fully funded scholarships from external organizations, like the DAAD Scholarships.
Here are some of the students who were able to study in Germany during their bachelor’s studies for free!
Here is what Bachelor’s Scholarship Recipients in Germany Say:
“Tip: Email professors early. Germany requires a lot of documentation, and the visa process takes time.”
Harini
Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in Germany
Germany is committed to providing students access to quality education without feeling financially stressed. Thus, there are many universities, such as the Free University of Berlin and the University of Bonn, that offer tuition-free master’s programs. Enrolling in these programs means you only have to worry about semester and living fees.
Besides tuition-free institutions, there are various scholarship opportunities provided by schools and organizations to financially aid master’s students. These scholarships, which play an essential role in fostering an inclusive education environment, include the HZDR Summer Student Program, which covers costs for lectures, accommodation, transportation, and even daily living expenses. There are more similar offers, though, and you may contact your target institution for such information.
Here are some of the students who were able to study a master’s degree in Germany for free!
- Mutiu Adebowale OYERO from Nigeria earned the DAAD EPOS Scholarship at Leipzig University, covering tuition, a German language course, monthly stipend, research allowance, health and accident insurance, flights, and field-research funding to study an International MBA in Small Enterprise Promotion and Training.
- Afiya from Indonesia earned the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for the MSc in Soils and Global Change (IMSOGLO), a fully funded joint program at Ghent University, BOKU Vienna, and University of Goettingen that covers tuition, a monthly stipend, travel costs, and insurance.
- Ataur Rahman from Bangladesh earned the DAAD (EPOS) Scholarship at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, a fully funded award that covers tuition, a monthly stipend, health insurance, research and travel allowances, two subsidized international flights, and a German language course to study an MA in Sustainable Development Management.
Here is what Master’s Scholarship Recipients in Germany Say:
“This scholarship covers living expenses, health insurance, a two-month intensive German language course, and additional financial support for various academic needs.”
Nigar Mammadzada
“If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: the motivational letter is everything to show your motivation.”
Gular Huseynova
“German universities provide a wide range of English-taught programs, and international students can successfully complete their studies without prior knowledge of German.”
Aiana
“Studying at public universities is free for international students (except in some federal states).”
Maria Voronkova
Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in Germany
International students have the opportunity to study Ph.D. programs for free in Germany, as most institutions offer tuition-free doctoral programs. This allows students to focus on their research without financial concerns, which would, hopefully, encourage innovation and productivity.
Besides enrolling in tuition-free institutions, you may apply for scholarships like the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management Doctoral Tuition Waivers and DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships. Not only would these offers waive your tuition fees, but they may also cover your living and other study expenses.
Here are some of the students who were able to study a PhD degree in Germany for free!
- Evi Mariana from Indonesia earned the DAAD EPOS Scholarship at Leipzig University and Justus Liebig University Giessen, covering her tuition fees, monthly living allowance, round-trip flights, German language courses, and research-related travel and funding to complete an MBA in Small and Medium Enterprise Development and a PhD in Agricultural Economics, Bioeconomy, and Sustainable Food Systems.
- Gayathri Gaganan from India earned the DAAD Doctoral Scholarship at Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, receiving a €1,300 monthly stipend, a yearly €460 research grant, and travel support to pursue a PhD in Plant Biochemistry in Germany.
- Hilal from Turkey earned the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Industrial PhD Fellowship at University of Bonn, which provides a salary-style living allowance, mobility funding, and dedicated support for research, training, and networking to complete a joint PhD in Experimental Medicine with Amsterdam UMC.
- Mina Farajiamiri from Iran secured a funded Research Assistantship at RWTH Aachen University, offering a paid research position that covers her living expenses while she completes a PhD in Management, Business, and Economics (Wirtschaftswissenschaft).
Here is what PhD Scholarship Recipients in Germany Say:
“This scholarship pays me 1300 euros/month. I also receive an additional rent subsidy.”
Aratrika Ghosh
“Through consistent self-study, I managed to achieve a score that met the scholarship requirements.”
Evi Mariana
“I explored the University of Bonn website and evaluated supervisor profiles, focusing on programs that aligned with my research interests.”
Grace Achieng Ochieng
“For research-based or English-taught programs, students won’t face academic problems without knowing German.”
Mina Farajiamiri
FAQs: Studying in Germany as an International Student
Are there Opportunities for International Students to Study in Germany for Free?
Yes, there are opportunities for international students to study in Germany for free. Securing tuition-free university education in Germany can be achieved by attending public universities in specific areas. Some cities, such as Baden-Württemberg, require public universities to charge tuition fees to international students, while some cities, like Berlin, have public schools that maintain a tuition-free policy.
Additionally, Ph.D. students in Germany, regardless of area, are exempted from paying tuition fees. Thus, the country is an attractive option for those pursuing advanced research. Alternatively, students may apply for funding or financial aid like the DAAD scholarships. These scholarship offers may cover partial tuition fees to fees and living expenses.
How Much is the Annual Academic Cost in Germany?
The annual academic cost of studying in Germany depends on the region, the institution type, and the study level. Generally, public universities tuition fees are more affordable than private universities. Tuition fees at public universities typically range between €0 (free) and €3,500 per semester, while private universities may charge between €10,000 and €20,000 annually.
Additionally, living expenses should be considered, averaging a minimum of €850 per month or approximately €10,236 per year. Beyond tuition and living expenses, additional study-related expenses like study materials, semester fees, and health insurance, must be anticipated. These supplementary costs usually fall between €500 to €1000 annually.
Remarkable opportunities await international students who study for free in Germany. Several universities in the country offer tuition-free education or generous scholarships that allow students to receive quality training with minimal financial burden.
We hope this article has encouraged you to study in Germany for free! If you’re looking for ideas on programs to pursue, check out these Open Courses in the country. And for more articles about studying in this European powerhouse, head on over to the Study in Germany Page!
