Costs of studying in Berlin

Blocked account, semester fee, health insurance and what the first year really costs.

Proof of funding

• Blocked account (Sperrkonto): €11,904 for one year, of which at most €992 a month can be withdrawn (rate in force since 1 September 2024). Open it before you apply for the visa.
• Alternatives: a declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from someone in Germany, or a scholarship of at least €1,000 a month, which replaces the blocked account.
• Providers: the German Federal Foreign Office names no provider, recommends none and takes no liability if one fails. We do not recommend one either – check the provider yourself before you transfer anything.
• Possible change: the required amount is tied to the German student-support (BAföG) maximum rate. A draft amendment from August 2026 could raise it from summer semester 2027. Check the Embassy 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 recruit through agents.
• 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, 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, and you need it for both the visa and your enrolment. 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 This figure may be outdated for 2026 – ask the insurer. The student rate ends at age 30, after which you pay considerably more.

Living in Berlin

The €992 a month the blocked account releases is what the law considers a minimum, not a comfortable budget. Rent is the hard part: Berlin has a tight housing market and finding a room usually takes longer than new arrivals expect. Plan for a temporary room first and do not sign anything you have not seen.