Studying in Germany from India means planning three things early: a German study visa, proof of funds in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) and health insurance that German authorities accept. This guide explains each step for Indian applicants and shows the figures with their dates and sources.
Short answer: Indian applicants must show a blocked account of 11,904 euros for the first study year, which is 992 euros per month. They also need an admission letter, proof of language skills that is not older than one year and, unless an exception applies, an APS certificate. Travel health insurance covers the first 90 days. Figures: German Missions in India, student checklist (last updated September 2024).
The most important points
- A blocked account (Sperrkonto) of 11,904 euros covers the first study year. You can withdraw 992 euros per month once you are in Germany.
- The India checklist of the German mission (last updated September 2024) lists an APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) as a requirement, with exceptions.
- Travel health insurance must cover the first 90 days from your intended date of entry.
- After enrolment, German statutory or private health insurance replaces the travel cover. Statutory student insurance is the usual route for students under 30.
- Plan early. The checklist gives six to eight weeks for processing, because the application is forwarded to the competent Aliens’ Authorities in Germany.
Which documents do Indian applicants need?
The German mission in India publishes a checklist for national study visas. The checklist version used here was last updated in September 2024. Confirm the current list before you book, because requirements can change.
| Document | What the checklist says |
|---|---|
| Passport | Issued within the last 10 years, with at least two empty pages |
| APS certificate | Required unless an exception applies |
| Admission letter | From a German university, a Studienkolleg or a language course |
| Proof of funds | Blocked account, sponsor commitment letter or scholarship |
| Language proof | Not older than one year at the time of application |
| Travel health insurance | Covers the first 90 days from your date of entry |
| Photos | Three identical, current biometric passport photos |
Source: German mission in India, checklist for students, last updated September 2024.
How much money do you need in your blocked account?
The blocked account must hold the sum for the first year of study, and the bank releases no more than a fixed monthly amount. The German Missions in India state both figures in their student checklist, last updated September 2024. Confirm them before you book, because figures can change.
| Item | Amount | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked account for the first study year | 11,904 euros | German Missions in India, checklist (last updated September 2024) |
| Monthly amount you can withdraw | 992 euros | German Missions in India, checklist (last updated September 2024) |
| Release rule | Withdrawals capped at the monthly amount | German Missions in India, checklist (last updated September 2024) |
Example (assumption): You start a bachelor programme in October 2026. The blocked account holds 11,904 euros, which equals 12 months at 992 euros. The bank releases 992 euros per month, so the account is empty after one year. The amounts are the figures from the checklist, not an estimate of your real living costs.
Do Indian students need an APS certificate?
Yes, unless one of the exceptions applies. APS stands for Akademische Prüfstelle, which checks school and university certificates from some countries. The India checklist lists the exceptions, among them a German or EU public scholarship, a PhD or post-doc study, and a non-German degree obtained in Germany. Ask your university or the German mission whether an exception applies to you, and start the procedure as early as you can.
How does health insurance work from India?
Health insurance has two stages. First, you need travel health insurance for the first 90 days from your date of entry. The German Missions in India require this cover for the first 90 days from your intended date of entry. Second, once you enrol at a German university, you need German health insurance. Students from non-EU countries can keep home coverage only where Germany has a social insurance agreement with the home country. Otherwise, German insurance applies.
The DAAD explains that international students who are under 30 usually pay a reduced student rate. The rules for students aged 30 and over are different, so check them early. Exemption from statutory insurance is possible only in specific cases. The request must be filed within three months, and once granted it cannot be withdrawn (section 8 of the Fifth Book of the Social Code, SGB V).
What does statutory student insurance cost in 2026?
Statutory student insurance is calculated on a fixed base. For students who do not live with their parents, the base is 855 euros per month. The contribution rate for students is 10.22 percent, which is seven tenths of the general rate of 14.6 percent. The additional contribution of each insurer comes on top. The table uses the average additional contribution of 2.9 percent as an assumption, because your actual insurer sets its own rate.
| Component (per month) | Amount | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance without additional contribution | 87.38 euros | 855 x 10.22 percent |
| Average additional contribution (assumption) | 24.80 euros | 855 x 2.9 percent |
| Health insurance total | 112.18 euros | 87.38 + 24.80 |
| Nursing care, childless from age 23 | 35.91 euros | 855 x 4.2 percent |
| Total, childless from age 23 | 148.09 euros | 112.18 + 35.91 |
| Nursing care without childless surcharge | 30.78 euros | 855 x 3.6 percent (total 142.96 euros) |
Sources: GKV-Spitzenverband, Rechengrößen 2026 (Stand 1.1.2026) and Bundesgesundheitsministerium, Kinderlosenzuschlag (Stand 2026). The childless surcharge applies from the month after the 23rd birthday.
Statutory or private insurance: what to compare
Statutory insurance uses contributions based on income. Private insurance uses individual rates, depending on age, health and tariff. The DAAD notes that private plans can be cheaper for students over 30, but are often more expensive. It also states that once you choose private insurance, you cannot switch to statutory insurance during your studies. Compare both options before you enrol, and do not rely on a single price quote.
Can a scholarship or sponsor replace the blocked account?
Yes, the India checklist names three options: a blocked account, a sponsor commitment letter or a scholarship. Each option needs its own documents. The sponsor must live in Germany, so check the wording of the letter with the mission. The checklist asks for proof of a German or EU scholarship or stipend. Keep the originals and certified copies ready.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a blocked account from India?
Several providers offer blocked accounts that you can open before you travel. Ask each provider which documents it needs and whether it accepts applicants from India. Check the release rule and the account fees in writing before you sign.
How long does the visa process take?
The India checklist gives six to eight weeks, because the application is forwarded to the competent Aliens’ Authorities in Germany. Submit your documents early and confirm the current timing with the German mission that is responsible for you.
Do I need travel insurance after I enrol?
The visa requires travel cover for the first 90 days. After enrolment, German statutory or private insurance takes over. Confirm the start date of your German cover so that no gap appears between the two.
Does my language certificate need to be recent?
Yes. The India checklist requires a language certificate that is not older than one year at the time of your application. Check the exact test and level that your university expects.
Next steps
- Confirm your admission letter from the German university or Studienkolleg.
- Check whether an APS certificate is required in your case and start the procedure.
- Open the blocked account and keep the confirmation.
- Book travel health insurance that covers the first 90 days.
- Book the visa appointment and prepare the documents from the checklist.
Related guides
- Health Insurance for International Students in Germany
- Public or Private Health Insurance for International Students
- Health Insurance Enrolment: Proof, Procedure and Exemption
- Student Health Insurance Germany 2026: Rates and Example
- PKV für internationale Studenten in Deutschland (in German)
For a personal check of your situation, you can book advice with Academycon: how we work.
Sources: German mission in India, checklist for students (September 2024); DAAD, health insurance for students; GKV-Spitzenverband, Rechengrößen 2026.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
