The German student visa

1. Proof of funds in 2026

An admitted student commencing university studies must normally show €11,904 for a 12-month period in 2026. The corresponding standard monthly amount is €992. These figures were last verified on 21 August 2026 against Make it in Germany and the Federal Foreign Office Consular Services Portal.

The amount can change in a later year. Confirm it with the responsible German mission before transferring money, but use the current figure—not an undated estimate—when planning your 2026 application.

2. Do I need a student visa?

Nationality matters. EU and EEA citizens do not need a visa or residence permit to study. Most other nationals need the appropriate national visa before travelling, while a limited group may enter without a visa and apply for the study residence permit after arrival.

Use the Federal Foreign Office country list or Visa Navigator for your passport. Do not assume that visa-free tourist entry automatically allows every nationality to stay and study.

3. Student visa and prospective-student visa are different

The study visa under the study route is for someone admitted to a state-recognised university. It can also cover defined preparatory measures connected with study, including a Studienkolleg, depending on the admission basis and documents.

The visa for seeking a place in higher education is a separate route for someone who is not yet admitted. In 2026 its financial requirement is €1,091 per month, not €992. It may allow a stay of up to nine months, up to 20 hours of work per week and limited trial work under the federal rules.

4. Core requirements

An application normally combines a valid study basis with sufficient funds, appropriate insurance, identity documents and any language evidence required for the programme. The responsible mission’s checklist controls the exact file.

• Admission to a state-recognised higher education institution, or the evidence required for the particular preparatory or applicant route
• Proof of sufficient funds through an accepted method
• A valid passport and the required application or portal records
• Health-insurance evidence suitable for the visa stage
• Language proof where the programme or mission requires it
• Academic certificates and other mission-specific documents

5. How the blocked account works

A Sperrkonto is a special account used to prove that you can support yourself. For the standard 2026 student case, you deposit €11,904 before the application and obtain the provider confirmation required by the mission. After activation in Germany, the standard maximum monthly availability is €992 over 12 months.

Opening, setup or monthly provider fees are normally additional. They do not form part of the €11,904 required balance. Research provider conditions and confirm that the documentation will be accepted by the mission handling your application; the Federal Foreign Office does not recommend one commercial provider.

6. Alternatives to a blocked account

A blocked account is not mandatory in every case. Federal guidance also identifies a recognised scholarship and a Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) as possible ways to prove sufficient funds.

Whether a scholarship covers enough, or whether a Declaration of Commitment is accepted for your application, is decided by the responsible mission or authority. Other evidence should only be relied on after that office confirms it.

7. Health insurance at the visa and enrolment stages

You need suitable coverage for entry and the visa period, but university enrolment has its own insurance confirmation process. Travel or incoming cover used for arrival is not automatically the same as qualifying student health insurance after enrolment.

Before buying a policy, ask the university and insurer which electronic or written confirmation is required for matriculation. Private insurance choices can affect whether and how you may later return to statutory insurance.

8. How to apply

Many study-visa applications can be initiated through the Federal Foreign Office Consular Services Portal. The portal checks the application digitally, but an in-person step may still be required for original documents, biometrics and payment.

Appointment availability and processing times vary significantly by mission and country. Apply as early as the responsible mission permits and keep the university informed if arrival or enrolment may be delayed.

1. 1

   Confirm the correct route

   Use your admission status and nationality to identify the study or study-place-seeker route.

2. 2

   Open the responsible checklist

   Use the German mission responsible for your ordinary residence; do not substitute another mission’s checklist.

3. 3

   Prepare funds and insurance

   Obtain accepted proof of funds and the insurance evidence required for the visa stage.

4. 4

   Submit the application

   Use the Consular Services Portal where the route is available, or follow the mission’s paper/application-centre process.

5. 5

   Complete the in-person step

   Present required originals, provide biometrics and pay the applicable fee when instructed.

9. Documents and visa fee

The standard national-visa processing fee is normally €75 for an adult. Reductions or exemptions apply in defined cases, and the mission may collect the amount in local currency or through a specific payment method.

Use this checklist to prepare, then compare it line by line with the responsible mission’s current checklist.

• Valid passport and application or portal documents
• Biometric photograph in the required format
• University admission or the evidence required for the selected route
• Academic qualifications and transcripts
• Language evidence where applicable
• Accepted proof of funds
• Health-insurance evidence
• CV, motivation letter or other items where the mission requests them
• Visa fee and any mission-specific supporting documents

10. Working while studying

Under current federal guidance, third-country students may generally work up to 140 full days or 280 half-days per year. The guidance also provides an alternative framework of up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period.

Student auxiliary activities, such as defined academic work at a university, are treated separately under the federal guidance. Classification matters, so confirm uncertain jobs with the foreigners authority or university international office before exceeding the ordinary allowance.

11. After arrival: visa and residence permit

The entry visa and the study residence permit are different documents. After arrival, complete the local steps in time and apply for the residence permit before the visa expires. Federal guidance says study residence permits are usually initially issued for two years, but the local foreigners authority decides the actual validity.

Procedures and appointment systems vary by city. The normal sequence is accommodation, Anmeldung, enrolment and insurance confirmation, blocked-account activation or banking setup, then the residence-permit process.

1. 1

   Move into accommodation

   Obtain the documents needed for local address registration.

2. 2

   Complete Anmeldung

   Register the address under the municipality’s procedure.

3. 3

   Complete enrolment requirements

   Provide the university’s required insurance and academic documents.

4. 4

   Activate funding access

   Follow the blocked-account provider’s activation process or arrange the accepted alternative.

5. 5

   Apply for the residence permit

   Contact the responsible foreigners authority before the entry visa expires.

12. 2026 at a glance

These are separate rules and should not be combined into one threshold.