Students from outside the EU and EEA who come to Germany to study soon ask whether they have to pay tuition. There is no single figure, because the duty to pay depends on state law and is put into effect by each university. This guide shows how the rules are structured and where to find the amount that applies to you.
Short answer: Whether tuition applies to you depends on state law and on your nationality. The university you want to attend states the amount per semester on its own website. This guide does not list figures for individual states, because amounts must be checked per state and per university. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- Whether and how much tuition is charged to students from non-EU countries depends on the law of the individual federal state (Bundesland) and on the university’s fee rules. There is therefore no uniform federal amount. The starting point is Article 70 (1) of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz): the states have the right to legislate insofar as the Basic Law does not give the federation powers. Which provision governs the fee in your state is set out in the state’s higher education act or fee act and in the university’s fee regulations. This guide does not list state figures because they are not individually verified here.
- The university implements the rule and publishes the current amount per semester on its website.
- Most universities also charge a semester contribution in addition to any tuition, and they state its amount too.
- Exemptions, for example for certain exchange programmes or for scholarship holders, must be asked about at the university.
- For planning, multiply the amount by the number of semesters and check whether the standard period of study of your programme fits the calculation.
Why is there no uniform amount?
Higher education law is the responsibility of the federal states. Each state decides whether it charges tuition for certain groups and in what amount. Universities put these requirements into their own fee regulations, so the figures can differ from one university to the next. A single national figure would therefore be misleading.
Whether a tuition duty applies also depends on your nationality and on the legal status of your stay. What counts is your passport and your status, not simply the address where you live. Check both points before you calculate the amount.
Which sources give binding information?
The binding figure is the one published by the university for the programme you apply to. The University of Tübingen publishes a page on tuition fees for international students in English. The metadata of that page show a date of 24 July 2024, so compare the figure with the current version before you plan.
| Check | Where to find it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition per semester | Fee page of the university | Main cost if it applies |
| Semester contribution | Enrolment page or fee overview | Usually charged in addition |
| Exemptions | Notices from the university and the international office | Can remove the tuition duty |
| Date of the information | Date on the page or version note | Fees change under state law |
How do you calculate the costs realistically?
A reliable plan needs three figures: the tuition per semester, the semester contribution, and the number of semesters until graduation. The calculation works best in a table that you update every semester, so that you notice changes early.
Assumption for a worked example: The tuition is 1,000 euros per semester, the semester contribution is 300 euros, and your bachelor takes six semesters. Then the tuition comes to 6,000 euros and the contribution to 1,800 euros, together 7,800 euros. The figures are invented for illustration and do not replace the figures of your university.
Who can avoid or reduce the fees?
Exemptions differ between states and universities. Some universities name exemptions for exchange programmes, scholarships or particular residence groups. Do not rely on an assumption. Ask for the exemption in writing before you accept the place.
What happens when you change programme?
If you change programme or move to another university, check the tuition question again. The new university decides under its own fee regulation and its admission. An admission to your first programme does not carry over automatically, so ask for a written answer before you switch.
The same applies to an interruption or a semester abroad. Ask the university about your status before you decide, so that you do not plan a semester twice or miss a payment deadline that catches you out later.
Which documents help with the fee notice?
Keep all letters from the university, in particular admission notices, fee notices and confirmations of any exemption. You need them for payment, and possibly for applications to the Foreigners Office or to the student financial aid office if you have to present documents there.
- Admission or enrolment notice showing the date and the programme.
- Fee notice or payment request with the deadline and the amount.
- Proof of an exemption, for example confirmation of a scholarship or an exchange status.
- Bank statement or payment record showing that the fee was paid on time.
Store a digital copy of every letter. If an amount changes, you then have a reliable record for asking the university.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay tuition if I come from an EU country?
The tuition duty for non-EU students concerns students from states outside the EU and EEA. Whether and how students from EU or EEA states are treated is governed by state law. Check the figure published by your university, because this group can be treated differently in individual cases.
Does the tuition apply to every programme?
Not necessarily. Some rules distinguish by the type of study. Which rule applies to your programme is set out in the fee regulation of the university. If in doubt, ask the student services.
Can a scholarship cover the tuition?
A scholarship can make financing easier, but it does not automatically cover the tuition. Check whether the scholarship expressly includes tuition. The guide on scholarships for international students in Germany gives you an overview of the funding landscape.
When do I have to pay the fee?
That depends on the fee regulation of the university. The payment deadline is stated in the notice or in the information from the university. Plan the payment early, so that your start of studies is not delayed.
What if I cannot find the information on the website?
Write to the international office or the student services of the university. Give your programme, the planned start of studies and your nationality, and ask for a written answer on the fee per semester and on possible exemptions. A written answer is the most reliable basis for your planning.
Is it worth comparing universities?
Yes, if you are choosing between study locations. Compare the same items at each university: fee per semester, semester contribution, exemptions and the date of the information. Comparing headlines alone often leads to wrong conclusions, because rules and dates differ.
What to do now
- Identify the university and the programme you intend to apply for.
- Find the current tuition per semester and the semester contribution on the university website.
- Check possible exemptions and get them confirmed in writing.
- Calculate the total cost for the standard period of study using your own assumptions.
Related guides
- Studying in Germany as an international student: the overview
- Studienkolleg: admission, costs and process for foreign applicants
- Scholarships for international students in Germany: an overview
- Applying to a university from abroad: process, fees and deadlines
- Health Insurance for International Students in Germany
Sources: University of Tübingen: Tuition fees for international students (page metadata dated 24 July 2024), Article 70 Basic Law, gesetze-im-internet.de (accessed November 2026, in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
