Costs of studying in Berlin

Blocked account, getting the money out of China, semester fee, health insurance.

Proof of funding

• Blocked account (Sperrkonto): €11,904 for one year, of which at most €992 a month can be withdrawn (Embassy Beijing study leaflet). 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 German Federal Foreign Office names no provider and recommends none. We do not either – check the provider yourself before you transfer anything.
• The amount is set every year by notice in the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger). Check the mission's page before you apply.

Getting the money out of China

Each Chinese resident has an annual foreign-exchange purchase quota of USD 50,000. One year of blocked account fits within it. Studying abroad is a permitted purpose; above the quota, banks ask for proof such as the admission letter and fee notice. Do not split purchases across relatives to get around the limit. Details: Chinese rules.

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 at €226.80), BHT €376.30. You pay this every semester.
• APS 2,500 RMB in most cases, visa €75; language exam, notarisation, apostille and translations on top.
• Residence permit at LEA Berlin: first permit €56 (renewal €49) as a sticker; €100 (renewal €93) for the electronic card.

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 is about €120 to €130 a month for students under 30. This figure may be outdated for 2026 – ask the insurer.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: finding a room in Berlin usually takes longer than new arrivals expect. Plan for a temporary room first and do not pay a deposit for a flat you have not seen.