- Most public universities in Germany still charge no tuition fees, including for non-EU students.
- Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester; TUM in Bavaria charges €2,000 to €6,000 per semester.
- Everyone pays a semester contribution, often around €70 to €430, which often includes a public transport ticket.
- Free tuition is not free living: plan €11,904 a year for the blocked account.
Yes, you can still study at a public university in Germany without paying tuition fees, even as an Indian student. But "free" now comes with exceptions, and a few of them involve some of the best known universities. Here is the current picture for 2026/27.
Tuition by state
| Where | Non-EU tuition (public universities) |
|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg (Heidelberg, KIT, Stuttgart, Freiburg, Tübingen, Mannheim) | €1,500 per semester for bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes |
| Bavaria: Technical University of Munich (TUM) | Bachelor's €2,000 or €3,000, master's €4,000 or €6,000 per semester (new students from winter 2024/25) |
| Bavaria: other universities | Bavarian law allows fees for non-EU students, and more universities are planning them. Check each university. |
| The other 14 states, including Berlin, NRW, Hesse, Saxony and Hamburg | Usually no tuition fee for bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes |
Sources: Heidelberg University and TUM. TUM has also announced higher fees for students who start in winter 2027/28. Some universities in all states charge for special programmes, such as non-consecutive or executive master's degrees, so always read the fee page of the programme itself.
What you pay even when tuition is free
- Semester contribution. Every student pays this, often around €70 to €430 per semester. It funds student services and often includes a public transport ticket.
- Blocked account. For the student visa you show €11,904 for the first year (€992 a month) in a blocked account (study.eu). The amount can change, so check before you apply.
- Health insurance, rent and food. See my full cost breakdown.
- Before you arrive: APS certificate, uni-assist fees and the visa fee. See how to apply from India.
How to find tuition-free programmes
- Search the official databases. Use DAAD International Programmes for English taught degrees and Hochschulkompass for every programme in Germany.
- Filter by public universities. Public universities and universities of applied sciences (Hochschulen) are where tuition is usually free.
- Open the fee page of each programme. Check tuition, the semester contribution and any fee for non-EU students.
- Look beyond the famous names. Many excellent universities in Berlin, NRW, Saxony, Hesse and Lower Saxony charge no tuition and have strong links to employers.
Think about the job, not only the fee
Studying is often the first step to working in Germany. Choose a programme and city with employers in your field, start learning German early, and look for Werkstudent jobs from your first year. My guide on jobs after a master's in Germany explains what happens after graduation. Planning to study and not sure where to start? Message me.
STUDENT to @swapnil_in_germany on Instagram.Sources
I moved to Germany for my master's, collected more than 1,000 rejections, and then got multiple job offers within six months. I work in digital marketing in Germany and help international professionals get hired in Europe. Read my story.