Costs of studying in Berlin

Blocked account, semester fee, health insurance and the real cost of living.

Proof of funding

• Blocked account (Sperrkonto): €11,904 for the first year, of which at most €992 a month can be withdrawn (Embassy Hanoi, study visa; blocked account). 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 no provider, and neither do we. Check the provider yourself before you transfer anything.
• The amount is reset 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 charge, sometimes a lot – and they often recruit through agencies.
• Semester fee: FU Berlin €376.80 (including the Deutschlandsemesterticket at €226.80), BHT €376.30. You pay it every semester.
• APS 150 or 250 USD, TestAS, visa €75; language exam 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 other cover (see Study). 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 This figure may be outdated for 2026 – ask the insurer.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 treats as 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 never pay a deposit for a flat you have not seen.