Is university free in Germany for international students, and which states charge tuition?
Short answer
DAAD says there are generally no fees for Bachelor's courses or most Master's courses at state universities in Germany. DAAD names two states that can charge non-EU students: Baden-Württemberg (EUR 1,500 per semester) and Bavaria, where each university decides whether to charge and how much. Every student also pays a semester contribution of EUR 70 to 430.
On this page
Are state universities free?
Generally, yes. DAAD (the German Academic Exchange Service) says the state finances most higher education institutions in Germany, and there are generally no fees for Bachelor's courses or most Master's courses at state institutions.
Private universities are different. DAAD says they may demand more substantial fees for their degree programmes. It gives no figure, so we don't either. Ask the university for its fee list.
Sources for this part1
Which states charge international students?
DAAD's costs page names two states, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU citizens EUR 1,500 per semester for Bachelor's, Master's, Diplom and state examination degree programmes. These fees do not apply to doctoral students.
In Bavaria, DAAD says fees may apply to students from outside the EU/EEA. They can reach several thousand euros per semester, depending on the degree. The Bavarian universities themselves decide whether they charge and how much.
Sources for this part1
What is the semester contribution?
Even where tuition is free, you pay this. DAAD says the semester contribution varies between universities and comes to between EUR 70 and EUR 430. You pay it when you enroll and before every new semester.
It is not tuition. DAAD says it pays towards student services and the student government (AStA). At many universities it also includes a local public transport ticket (semester ticket), or you can buy a discounted one.
Sources for this part1
What about a Studienkolleg?
DAAD describes Studienkollegs as offering preparatory courses for university study. DAAD says public Studienkollegs are in general free of charge, except for the semester fee. Private Studienkollegs frequently charge fees.
The DAAD page gives no figure for private Studienkollegs.
Sources for this part2
How to check your own programme
DAAD's advice is to research this individually for your desired degree programme. Fees depend on the state, the university and the degree, so look up yours before you apply.
Sources for this part1
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Practise saying it out loudPeople also ask
Is university in Germany free for Nigerians and Ghanaians?
DAAD says there are generally no fees for Bachelor's courses or most Master's courses at state institutions, and its page does not say Nigerians or Ghanaians are treated differently. DAAD names Baden-Württemberg (EUR 1,500 per semester) and Bavaria (up to several thousand euros per semester, set by each university) as places that can charge non-EU/EEA students, and you still pay the semester contribution. 1
How much is tuition in Baden-Württemberg for non-EU students?
EUR 1,500 per semester for Bachelor's, Master's, Diplom and state examination programmes, according to DAAD. It does not apply to doctoral students. 1
Does Bavaria charge tuition to international students?
It can. DAAD says fees may apply to students from outside the EU/EEA, can reach several thousand euros per semester, and that each Bavarian university decides whether to charge and how much. 1
Do I pay anything at a public Studienkolleg?
DAAD says public Studienkollegs are in general free, except for the semester fee. Private ones frequently charge fees. 2
Sources
- 1Costs of education and livingOfficialDAAD · checked 29 Oct 2026
- 2Studienkollegs (preparatory courses) in GermanyOfficialDAAD · checked 29 Oct 2026
Official is the embassy or a German government page. Applicant reports are what applicants say happened at their appointment. Secondary is everything else we checked.
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