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• Blocked account (Sperrkonto): €11,904 for one year, of which at most €992 a month can be withdrawn (amount set in the Federal Gazette).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

Getting the money to Germany

This is the hardest practical step from Iran. Read Money and sanctions first.

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.
• Visa €75; language exam, translations and legalisation (see Documents) on top.
• Residence permit at LEA Berlin: €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 €140–150 a month in 2026 (depends on the insurer's additional contribution); to be confirmed, 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 usually takes longer than new arrivals expect. Do not pay a deposit for a flat you have not seen.