Short answer: In 2026, the maximum BAföG (Federal Training Assistance Act, Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz) rate for students up to 24 who live away from home is 855 euros a month, and 992 euros for 25 to 29-year-olds living away from home (status January 2026, current law). This is a ceiling, not a payment you are guaranteed. Income, assets and family circumstances reduce the actual amount. Figures come from the Deutsches Studierendenwerk.
BAföG in 2026 consists of a need amount, made up of a basic allowance, a housing allowance and insurance supplements. Income and assets above the exemptions are then deducted. This guide shows the building blocks, the maximum rates and three worked examples. The examples use stated assumptions and do not replace a calculation by the funding office.
The most important points
- The need amount consists of a basic allowance of 475 euros plus a housing allowance, depending on whether you live away from home or with your parents.
- The 2026 maximum rates range from 671 to 1,088 euros a month, depending on age and living arrangement.
- Half of the funding is an interest-free loan and the other half is a grant.
- Income and assets reduce the funding, and the exemptions differ by situation.
- The 2027 reform is so far only a draft bill. Until it takes effect, the 2026 rates apply.
How is the BAföG need amount built up?
The need amount is the sum of the components the law provides for students. The table shows the amounts in force since August 2024, which remained unchanged for 2026 (status January 2026, Deutsches Studierendenwerk).
| Component | Amount per month | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Basic allowance | 475 euros | All students |
| Housing allowance, living away from home | 380 euros | Students who do not live with their parents |
| Housing allowance, living with parents | 59 euros | Students who live with their parents |
| Health and long-term care insurance supplement, ages 25 to 29 | 102 euros and 35 euros | Students aged 25 to 29 who are not covered as family members |
| Supplements from age 30 | up to 185 euros and 48 euros | Students aged 30 and over with their own insurance |
The health and care insurance supplements depend on actual contributions, so they are best read as upper limits. Students up to 24 who are insured as family members receive no supplement.
What are the maximum rates for 2026?
The table below adds the building blocks to the maximum rates. The totals match the figures of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk.
| Group | Living arrangement | Maximum rate per month | Calculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 24 years | Away from home | 855 euros | 475 + 380 |
| 25 to 29 years | Away from home | 992 euros | 475 + 380 + 102 + 35 |
| 25 to 29 years | With parents | 671 euros | 475 + 59 + 102 + 35 |
| From 30 years | Away from home | up to 1,088 euros | 475 + 380 + 185 + 48 |
| From 30 years | With parents | up to 767 euros | 475 + 59 + 185 + 48 |
The maximum rate is a ceiling. It shows what the need amount can be at most, not what you actually receive, because the office deducts income and assets first.
Three worked examples with assumptions
The examples are deliberately simplified. They assume no income is counted and leave out supplements such as the childcare supplement. They show how the numbers interact, not your entitlement.
Example 1. Assumption: you are 22, live away from home and receive the maximum of 855 euros. Over twelve months that makes 10,260 euros (12 × 855). Of this, 5,130 euros is a loan and 5,130 euros is a grant.
Example 2. Assumption: you are 27, live with your parents and receive the maximum of 671 euros. Over twelve months that makes 8,052 euros (12 × 671). Of this, 4,026 euros is a loan and 4,026 euros is a grant.
Example 3. Assumption: you are 31, live away from home and receive the maximum of 1,088 euros because both supplements are fully used. Over twelve months that makes 13,056 euros (12 × 1,088). Of this, 6,528 euros is a loan and 6,528 euros is a grant.
Repayment has its own ceiling. According to bafög.de, the repayment cap is 10,010 euros for loans with a first funding start from 1 September 2019. Older loans are capped at 10,000 euros. In Example 3, the loan share stays below this limit.
How do income and assets matter?
According to the Deutsches Studierendenwerk, income up to the mini-job limit of 603 euros gross a month does not reduce funding. bafög.de also names a monthly exemption of 389 euros from 2026, after deducting a flat income-related expense allowance and a social allowance.
For students who are not treated as independent of their parents, the parents’ income also plays a role. According to bafög.de, the following parental exemptions apply under current law:
| Family situation of the parents | Parental exemption per month |
|---|---|
| Married and living together | 2,540 euros |
| Single parent | 1,690 euros |
| Stepparent | 850 euros |
| Each further person entitled to maintenance | 770 euros |
Assets are also taken into account. The asset exemption is 15,000 euros up to age 29 and 45,000 euros from age 30, according to bafög.de (status July 2024). The FAQ of the Studierendenwerk from January 2026 confirms these amounts.
What does the 2027 reform change?
The government draft of the 30th amendment to the BAföG law, printed matter 21/8405, provides for higher rates. The housing allowance for living away from home would rise from 380 to 440 euros, and the basic allowance from 475 to 503 euros from the 2027/28 winter semester. This is still a draft, and the outcome of the legislative process is open. Until a law is enacted, the 2026 rates apply. Ask the funding office which rates apply to your funding period.
Frequently asked questions
Will I always receive the maximum rate?
No. The maximum rate is a ceiling. Income, assets and your parents’ situation can reduce the actual funding considerably. Only your notice shows the amount that applies to you.
What does the childcare supplement pay?
For each child under 14, there is 160 euros a month (status January 2026). The supplement is a grant that does not have to be repaid. If two BAföG-eligible parents have a child, it is paid only once.
Can I calculate my entitlement myself with these figures?
You can follow the basic logic. For the exact amount, however, you need the notice from the office, because parental income, exemptions and supplements interact in your individual case. The examples above show what to check.
What is the maximum repayment?
Half of the funding is an interest-free loan. For loans with a first funding start from 1 September 2019, repayment is capped at 10,010 euros. Full loans are not subject to this cap, and bafög.de explains the details.
Next steps
- Determine your living arrangement and your age at the start of the funding period.
- Find the matching row in the maximum rate table and note the amount.
- Ask the office to confirm the calculation with income, assets and supplements in writing.
- If a reform is enacted, check which rates apply to your funding period.
Related guides
- BAföG 2026: Eligibility, Amount and Repayment Explained
- BAföG Rates 2026/27: Figures, Allowances and Limits
- Student Support Rate (BAföG) 2026: Amounts and Example
- Student loan comparison, criteria and rates 2026
- How Much Money Do Students Need Per Month?
- Scholarships for students: Types, providers, requirements
Sources: Bedarfssätze BAföG bis 2026, Deutsches Studierendenwerk (in German, status January 2026); FAQ on BAföG, Deutsches Studierendenwerk (in German, status January 2026); Printed matter 21/8405, draft 30th amendment, German Bundestag (in German, status October 2026); Exemptions, bafög.de (in German, status December 2025).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
