Studying in Germany from Syria means getting three things right early: a German student visa, proof of funds in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) and health insurance that the visa office accepts. Syrian applicants currently file through the German mission in Beirut. According to its information sheet for students, dated January 2026, you choose Lebanon as your country of residence in the online portal, and the visa office Beirut II in Rabieh handles the case.
Short answer: Syrian students must show a blocked account of 11,904 euros for one year, which is 992 euros per month. The German mission in Beirut lists this figure in its sheet dated January 2026. You also need a language certificate, travel health insurance with at least 30,000 euros cover for the Schengen area and, after enrolment, statutory or private health insurance.
The most important points
- The blocked account for a student visa covers 11,904 euros for the first year, and you can withdraw 992 euros per month.
- If you apply for a study place before admission (Studienbewerbung), the Beirut sheet asks for 1,091 euros per month to be available.
- A language certificate is required. The sheet accepts Goethe-Institut, telc, ÖSD, TestDaF, ECL and DSH, and IELTS or TOEFL for English.
- Travel health insurance must cover at least 30,000 euros and apply across the Schengen area.
- Applications are online only, through digital.diplo.de/studium, and processing can take up to eight weeks.
How much money do you need in a blocked account?
The Beirut sheet describes the proof of funds for a student visa as a security deposit of 11,904 euros, of which 992 euros per month can be paid out. For study applicants before admission, the sheet asks for 1,091 euros per month. The sheet does not state a yearly sum for that case, so the table shows only the figures printed in it. You can read more about how to organise student finances in general.
| Situation | Amount in the Beirut sheet | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa, blocked account for one year | 11,904 euros, payable at 992 euros per month | Beirut sheet, January 2026 |
| Study application before admission | 1,091 euros per month available | Beirut sheet, January 2026 |
| Visa fee | 75 euros, paid in cash in US dollars at the appointment | Beirut sheet, January 2026 |
Assumption: You start a one-year course and withdraw 992 euros each month. Then 12 times 992 gives 11,904 euros, the sum the account must hold. Each mission sets its own figures, so check the current sheet before you open the account.
Which health insurance does the visa require?
For the visa, the Beirut sheet asks for incoming travel health insurance with a minimum cover of 30,000 euros, valid in all Schengen states. You only need to show it when asked. If you apply before admission, you must prove private health insurance for the entire validity period of the visa. After enrolment, German health insurance takes over. Most enrolled students under 30 join statutory student health insurance (KVdS), as described in our guide to health insurance for international students.
The 2026 figures below come from the GKV-Spitzenverband fact sheet for calculation figures, valid from 1 January 2026.
| Item, 2026 (per month) | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment base for students (based on BAföG) | 855.00 euros | Students not living with their parents |
| Health insurance contribution without the additional rate | 87.38 euros | Plus the rate of your fund |
| Average additional rate of 2.9 percent (assumption) | 24.80 euros | Your fund’s rate can differ |
| Long-term care contribution for students under 23 or with a child | 30.78 euros | Students without a child pay more from age 23 |
Assumption: Your fund charges the average additional rate of 2.9 percent, and you are under 23. Then the total is 87.38 + 24.80 + 30.78 = 142.96 euros per month. This is a calculation, not a quote from any insurer. Compulsory membership in statutory student insurance ends with the semester in which you turn 30.
Which language and admission documents do you need?
- A German language certificate at the level your admission letter requires. The sheet names Goethe-Institut, telc, ÖSD, TestDaF, ECL and DSH.
- An admission letter from a German university or language course, which your application refers to.
- Certified translations for documents that are not in German or English, made by a sworn translator (vereidigter Dolmetscher).
- Uploaded files of at most 1 MB each, as the portal requires.
- The Beirut sheet does not mention the APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle). Ask your university whether it applies to you before you apply.
If your school certificate is not recognised directly for admission, the university may send you to a Studienkolleg, which is a preparatory college. The Beirut sheet does not describe this route, so ask the international office of your university.
How does the application work step by step?
Student visa applications from Syria go online through digital.diplo.de/studium. Select the correct application category, because the sheet warns that wrongly uploaded applications are deleted. Processing can take up to eight weeks, and the mission does not answer status requests. Work backwards from your planned start date, so that the visa arrives in time for your first semester.
What changes after your 30th birthday?
At 30 the requirements change. For a study application, the Beirut sheet asks for proof of private health insurance for one year once you reach 30. For statutory student insurance, membership ends with the semester in which you turn 30. Plan your health insurance well before that date, and ask the mission or your insurer which proof they need.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to go to Beirut to apply from Syria?
According to the Beirut sheet, applicants whose usual residence is in Syria select Lebanon as their country of residence in the online portal. The application is then handled by the visa office in Beirut II. Check the portal for the current route before you plan your trip.
Is the blocked account amount the same for every country?
No. Each mission sets its own figures. The Beirut sheet and the Jakarta sheet both list 992 euros per month, but the documents and procedures differ, so use the sheet of the mission that handles your application.
How long must the blocked account cover?
The Beirut sheet gives the yearly sum of 11,904 euros for the first study year. It also mentions a maximum visa duration of nine months. Ask the mission how long the account has to be funded in your case.
Do I need German health insurance before I arrive?
For the visa, travel insurance is enough at first. After enrolment you need German health insurance. Compulsory membership in statutory student insurance generally applies to enrolled students under 30 who are not insured in another way.
What happens if my application is incomplete?
The Beirut sheet warns that wrongly uploaded applications are deleted. Keep originals and certified translations ready, and check every file before you upload it. Do not send status requests while processing is running.
What to do next
- Check the current Beirut sheet and the portal for the correct application category.
- Open your blocked account or arrange another proof of funds, and keep the bank statement.
- Book travel health insurance that meets the 30,000 euros minimum and covers the Schengen area.
- Prepare your language certificate and translations before you upload anything.
Related guides
- Health Insurance for International Students in Germany
- Public or Private Health Insurance for International Students
- German Health Insurance Terms for Newcomers
- Health Insurance for Students Over 30 in Germany
- Studying in Germany from India: Visa, Blocked Account, Insurance
Sources: German Mission Beirut, information sheet for students from Syria (status January 2026); GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on calculation figures (status 1 January 2026); Social Code Book V, § 5 (membership in statutory health insurance).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
