Student visa & permits in Germany
Student visa, residence permit, registration, fees, deadlines and document guidance for studying in Germany.
Read the complete Germany study abroad guide.
Visa & Immigration
EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals do not need a student visa or study residence permit. As a general rule, other nationals who will study in Germany for more than 90 days need the appropriate national visa before entry.
There are important nationality exceptions. Citizens of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States may obtain the required residence permit after entering Germany. The Federal Foreign Office also lists Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino for post-entry residence applications, subject to conditions including employment restrictions. Check your nationality on the Federal Foreign Office site before booking travel.
For a study visa or residence title, third-country students must prove they can finance their stay. A common route is a blocked account with at least EUR 11,904 for 2026, corresponding to EUR 992 per month. A recognised scholarship or a formal declaration of commitment can be used instead where accepted. The national visa fee is normally EUR 75, although exemptions can apply.
Use the checklist of the German mission responsible for your place of residence. Document formats, translations and appointment procedures are mission-specific, so do not rely on a generic checklist when preparing the final application.
Source: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/buergerservice/faq/02-arbeiten/606704
Residence Permit
After moving into accommodation, register the address (Anmeldung) with the local registration authority, normally within two weeks. Your landlord provides a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung confirming the move-in. Registration also triggers issuance of your German tax identification number and is commonly requested in later administrative processes.
Third-country students who need a residence permit must apply to the competent Ausländerbehörde before their visa or other lawful entry status expires. Typical documents include the passport, enrolment evidence, proof of health insurance, proof of finances and, where required locally, registration evidence. Procedures and appointment systems differ sharply by city, so follow the local authority’s instructions rather than assuming one nationwide workflow.
If a timely residence application has been filed and you need evidence of continuing lawful status while it is processed, ask the foreigners authority whether a Fiktionsbescheinigung is appropriate in your case.
Source: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/studying
Common questions
What should international students know about visa in Germany?
The 2026 funding benchmark is EUR 11,904; most third-country students need a visa before travel, with nationality-based exceptions.
What should international students know about residence in Germany?
Register your address after moving in, then complete the residence-permit process before your lawful entry status expires.