Costs of studying in Berlin

Blocked account, semester fee, residence permit fees, health insurance.

Proof of funding

• Blocked account (Sperrkonto): €11,904 for one year, of which at most €992 a month can be withdrawn. Open it before you apply for the visa.
• Alternatives: a declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from someone in Germany, or a scholarship that covers the amount.
• Providers: the Federal Foreign Office recommends none. We do not either – check the provider yourself before you transfer anything.
• The amount is set every year. Check the mission's page before you apply.

Fees

• No tuition at Berlin public universities such as FU, HU, TU and BHT, except for continuing-education programmes. Private universities do charge, sometimes a lot – and they often recruit through agencies.
• Semester fee: FU Berlin €376.80 (including the Deutschlandsemesterticket for public transport), BHT €376.30, every semester.
• Visa €75; Visametric service fee where it is involved; language exam, translations and apostille or legalisation on top.
• Residence permit at LEA Berlin: €100 for the electronic card, €93 to extend it.

Health insurance

Compulsory, for both the visa and enrolment. Statutory student insurance starts with enrolment; before that you need private cover. The statutory student rate of about €120 to €130 a month may be outdated for 2026 – ask the insurer.

Living in Berlin

The €992 a month is what the law considers a minimum, not a comfortable budget. Rent is the hard part. Plan for a temporary room first and do not pay a deposit for a flat you have not seen.