In short
BAföG repayment applies only to the loan part: half of your BAföG is an interest-free loan. You have to repay at most €10,010 of it, in instalments of at least €130 a month. Repayment usually begins five years after the end of the maximum funding period. If you earn little, you can apply for exemption. Partial write-off hardly plays a role for new cases any more.
| Key fact | Value | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Loan share of funding | 50 percent; the other half is a grant | BAföG, bafög.de and DSW FAQ, status January 2026 |
| Repayment cap | €10,010 for funding starting from 1 September 2019 | bafög.de, page status 15 July 2024 |
| Minimum instalment | €130 a month | Section 18(3) BAföG, version 16 April 2026 |
| Repayment period | 20 years | Section 18(3) BAföG, version 16 April 2026 |
| Exemption threshold | €1,690 of creditable income a month, plus supplements | Section 18a(1) BAföG, version 16 April 2026 |
How much BAföG repayment do I owe?
You have to repay at most half of your funding, and at most €10,010. For loans with funding starting before 1 September 2019, the ceiling was €10,000. If your funding exceeds that amount, the remainder stays with you.
When does repayment begin?
The first instalment is generally due five years after the end of the maximum funding period. If only loans under section 17(3) BAföG were paid, this period is shortened to three years. What counts is the end of the maximum funding period, that is, the period set for your training. Until repayment begins, you pay nothing, even if you are already working.
What is the instalment, and how long does repayment take?
Repayment is made in equal monthly instalments of at least €130. The period is 20 years. The following calculation example shows how long the minimum instalment takes if the maximum amount of €10,010 has to be repaid.
- Repayment amount: €10,010, that is, the ceiling for funding from 1 September 2019.
- Minimum monthly instalment: €130.
- Number of instalments: €10,010 divided by €130 gives 77 instalments.
- Duration: 77 months, that is, 6 years and 5 months.
Those who pay more finish sooner. The total stays the same, because there is no interest as long as you pay on time.
Many funding amounts are below the maximum. The second example therefore assumes a loan of €3,000, that is, the loan share of funding totalling €6,000:
- Loan: €3,000 (50 percent of €6,000).
- Minimum monthly instalment: €130.
- Calculation: €3,000 divided by €130 gives about 23.1. So 23 full instalments of €130 each and a final instalment of €10, a total of 24 months.
The minimum instalment is a lower limit. Whoever can pay more shortens the term. The exact amount of your instalment and the start of repayment are set out in the notice from the BAföG office, not in this example.
When can I be exempted from repayment?
You can apply to be exempted if your creditable income does not exceed the limit of €1,690 a month. The limit increases by €850 for a spouse or registered partner and by €770 for each child, but is reduced by their income. According to the statutory text, the exemption generally applies for one year from the month of application and for two years on first approval. Retroactive exemption is possible for at most four months. You must provide the evidence yourself.
Is there still a partial write-off?
For most current cases, no longer. The partial write-off under section 18b(2) BAföG required that the final examination was passed by 31 December 2012. The earlier subsection 1 has been dropped. For academies, the statutory text provides a write-off of 20 percent, regardless of when the examination was passed. Whether this applies in your case is for the BAföG office to determine.
What happens if I pay late?
The loans are in principle interest-free. If you exceed a payment date by more than 45 days, 6 percent interest per year is charged on the outstanding amount. If you fall behind with repayment, contact the office early rather than letting instalments lapse.
How should I proceed?
- Have the BAföG office confirm the total amount of your loan and the start of repayment in writing.
- Set up a payment plan of at least €130 a month and a standing order.
- Check your income every year, so that you can apply for exemption in time.
- Submit the exemption application with all evidence of income, spouse and children.
- Report changes in your circumstances immediately, because the notices are then recalculated.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to repay all of my BAföG?
No. Half is a grant, and the loan is capped at €10,010.
When does repayment begin?
Generally five years after the end of the maximum funding period. For pure full loans under section 17(3) BAföG, the period is shortened to three years.
Is there a partial write-off for me?
Generally not for final examinations passed after 2012. If in doubt, ask the office about your individual case.
How does my partner affect the exemption?
The limit increases by €850 for a spouse or registered partner, but the increase is reduced by their income.
Related articles
- BAföG 2026: entitlement, amount and repayment explained (in German)
- Applying for BAföG: application, deadlines and documents (in German)
- Leaving university: checklist for the time after graduation (in German)
- Financing studies over 30 (in German)
Sources and verification
- Section 18 BAföG (repayment, period, exemption), lxgesetze.de, retrieved 20 October 2026, version last amended 16 April 2026. Quotations not checked word for word.
- Section 18a BAföG (income limit and exemption), lxgesetze.de, retrieved 20 October 2026, version of 16 April 2026.
- Section 18b BAföG (partial write-off), lxgesetze.de and buzer.de.
- Repayment guidance and the repayment ceiling of €10,010, bafög.de, page status 15 July 2024.
- DSW FAQ on BAföG, status January 2026, German Student Services Organisation (Deutsches Studierendenwerk).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
Editorial team: Academycon
If you want to review your repayment in the wider context, the next step is the online check from Academycon.
Last updated: October 2026. This article provides general information and does not replace individual advice.
