Studying in Germany from Tunisia depends on three things lining up: a national study visa, proof of funds for your first year and health insurance that matches the rules of the German Embassy in Tunis. This guide sets out each step, with the figures and the date of the Embassy page.
Short answer: Applicants from Tunisia must show 11,904 euros for the first study year, which is 992 euros per month, according to the German Embassy in Tunis (page dated 7 October 2025). A blocked account in Germany or a sponsor’s commitment from a person living in Germany is accepted. If you arrive before enrolment, you need private health insurance for 90 days from your date of entry. You apply in person at TLScontact.
The most important points
- The Embassy in Tunis asks for 992 euros per month, or 11,904 euros for the first study year. The page is dated 7 October 2025, so confirm the figure before you open an account.
- Accepted proof: a blocked account in Germany or a sponsor’s commitment from a person living in Germany.
- If you arrive before enrolment, you need private health insurance for 90 days from your date of entry.
- German-taught courses need DSH or TestDaF. English-taught courses need IELTS or TOEFL, or another accepted test.
- You submit the application in person at TLScontact, with originals and one legible copy of each document, both with German translations.
How much money must you prove?
The Tunis study page gives both the monthly and the annual amount. Because the page is dated October 2025, check it again before you commit money.
| Item | Amount | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly amount | 992 euros | German Embassy Tunis, study page, dated 7 October 2025 |
| First study year | 11,904 euros | Same page |
| Accepted proof | Blocked account in Germany, or sponsor’s commitment from a person living in Germany | Same page |
The page does not say when you must open the account, so ask the Embassy in Tunis before you pay anything.
How long must your health insurance cover you before enrolment?
If you arrive before enrolment, the Embassy asks for private health insurance for 90 days from your date of entry. The page does not state a minimum sum insured. Statutory student insurance is only possible after you are enrolled in Germany. The costs of statutory cover are shown below, so you can plan the switch.
| Situation | Monthly contribution, 2026 | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Under 23 or with a child | 142.96 euros | Assumption: average additional contribution of 2.9 percent and a student who does not live with parents (base 855 euros). Source: GKV-Spitzenverband, figures for 2026. |
| From age 23, without a child | 148.09 euros | Adds the childless nursing care surcharge (4.2 percent in total instead of 3.6 percent). |
For a broader comparison of cover options for students from outside the EU, read our guide on studying outside the EU.
Which language certificate counts?
For German-taught courses, the Embassy names the DSH and the TestDaF. For English-taught courses, it names IELTS, TOEFL and other tests. The page gives no minimum scores. For exceptions, it refers to an external page of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). The page does not mention an APS certificate, so ask your university whether one applies to you.
How do you apply for a study visa in Tunis?
A study visa from Tunisia is a national visa under section 16b of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz). The steps are these:
- Fill in the Videx application form and sign it.
- Prepare the full set: a passport valid for at least six months, a copy of passport page 2, three biometric photos, a motivation letter, your unconditional admission letter, your language certificate, a certified school-leaving certificate, certified university transcripts if you have them, and proof of finances.
- Bring originals and one legible copy of each document, both with German translations. Do not staple or clip the pages.
- Attend TLScontact in person. The page states that the application must be made personally.
- Expect follow-up requests. The list is not exhaustive, and the Embassy can ask for further documents.
Frequently asked questions
Can my family in Tunisia sign the sponsor’s commitment?
Not from Tunisia. The Embassy accepts a sponsor’s commitment only from a person living in Germany. A blocked account must also be held in Germany. Ask the Embassy if your situation is different.
What if I arrive after enrolment?
The 90-day private cover applies when you arrive before enrolment. The page does not describe a separate rule for later arrivals, so confirm with the Embassy which cover it expects in your case.
Can I apply for an English-taught programme with IELTS?
Yes. The Embassy names IELTS and TOEFL for English-taught courses. The page gives no minimum score, so check the requirement in your admission letter and with your university.
Do I need certified school certificates?
Yes. The page asks for a certified school-leaving certificate and, where applicable, certified university transcripts. Each certificate needs a German translation along with the original and a legible copy.
What changes after you arrive?
After enrolment, German statutory student insurance can start, and your private cover can end. Whether a Tunisian home insurance is recognised depends on a social security agreement between Germany and Tunisia. Ask the Deutsche Verbindungsstelle Krankenversicherung Ausland (DVKA) before you rely on it. Our guide on health insurance for international students in Germany explains the switch in more detail.
Related guides
- Public or Private Health Insurance for International Students
- Student Health Insurance in Germany 2026: Key Figures
- Studying Outside the EU: Health Insurance Rules
- Study in Germany from Morocco
- Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared
Your next steps
- Confirm the Tunis figures for the first year and decide between a blocked account and a sponsor’s commitment.
- If you arrive before enrolment, arrange private health insurance that is valid for 90 days from your entry date.
- Prepare the Videx form, the certified documents and their German translations.
- Book TLScontact and attend the appointment in person.
Sources: German Embassy Tunis, study page (dated 7 October 2025); Social Code Book V, section 5 (gesetze-im-internet.de); GKV-Spitzenverband, Rechengrößen 2026 (1 January 2026); Residence Act, section 16b (gesetze-im-internet.de).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
