BAföG Reform 2027: Planned Allowance Increases

What is changing?

The draft would increase the Wohnkostenpauschale, the housing component for qualifying students who do not live with their parents, from €380 to €440 per month. The government's intended start is summer semester 2027.

The student basic-needs amount (Bedarfssatz) would rise from the currently referenced €475 to €503 from winter semester 2027/28. The Cabinet plan includes a further step to as much as €563 from summer semester 2029.

The draft also plans annual 1.5% increases to relevant allowances from the school year or winter semester 2028, adjustments to health and long-term-care insurance supplements, and corresponding changes for pupils and trainees where applicable.

Administrative changes are intended to make applications more consistent and digital nationwide. The government also proposes removing or simplifying certain requirements, including the performance certificate from the fifth subject semester and some age-limit exceptions.

These are elements of the Cabinet-approved government draft. Parliament can amend the text, dates or amounts before legislation is passed and officially published.

When does it take effect?

The Cabinet approved the reform draft on 12 August 2026. That is an important legislative step, but it is not the same as parliamentary approval, official publication or entry into force.

The draft plans the housing increase for summer semester 2027, the first basic-needs increase for winter semester 2027/28 and the later basic-needs step for summer semester 2029.

What happens next: the draft must complete the applicable Bundestag and Bundesrat legislative process. Only the final enacted and published law can establish the binding amounts and dates.

Who is affected?

• Students who qualify for BAföG and live away from their parents could be affected by the planned housing allowance.
• Qualifying students, pupils and trainees could be affected by the planned need-rate and allowance changes.
• International students are not automatically entitled to BAföG. Nationality, residence status and in some cases employment or family circumstances remain relevant.
• Current recipients should continue using their present Bescheid and report required changes; a draft reform does not itself alter an existing award.

Old rule vs new rule

What do you need to do?

1. Do not calculate a current BAföG application using the proposed 2027 amounts. Use the current official forms and figures.
2. If you already receive BAföG, continue following your current award notice and renewal deadline.
3. Build a student budget with current funding only; treat planned increases as uncertain until the final law is published.
4. Follow the official Federal Government and BAföG channels for parliamentary progress and implementation instructions.
5. When the law is final, check whether the authority applies changed rates automatically or asks for additional information.

Example

Official information and sources

The status and figures above were checked against the primary authorities below. Media reports are not used as the sole authority for rule changes.

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