Free tuition in Germany is real for many students, but the word “free” needs a closer look. Most public universities charge no tuition for Bachelor’s and consecutive Master’s programmes. Some groups still pay, and every student pays a semester fee (Semesterbeitrag). This guide explains which rules apply, which federal state is the best-documented exception and what to check before you apply.
Short answer: Most state universities in Germany charge no tuition for Bachelor’s and consecutive Master’s programmes. Baden-Württemberg is the best-documented exception: since winter semester 2017/18, students from outside the EU and EEA pay 1,500 euros per semester, with exemptions for some groups. Every student also pays a semester fee. Last updated: October 2026 (sources: Bundestag research service, 2019; Baden-Württemberg ministry, undated page).
The most important points
- According to a 2019 overview by the research service of the German Bundestag, state universities generally charge no tuition for Bachelor’s and consecutive Master’s programmes.
- Further-education Master’s programmes (weiterbildende Master) are generally chargeable.
- Baden-Württemberg charges students from outside the EU and EEA 1,500 euros per semester, starting with winter semester 2017/18.
- The 2019 overview names no other federal state with such fees. Check your university’s current fee rules, because that overview is older.
- The semester fee is not tuition, but you still pay it, and it differs between universities.
- Living costs are the real budget item. Free tuition does not cover rent, food, insurance or books.
Which states charge fees, and for whom?
The better question is often which students pay, not which states do. Fees depend on your nationality, the type of programme and, in one documented case, your federal state. The table summarises what we could verify and when.
| Case | Fee situation | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor or consecutive Master at a state university (German or EU student) | Generally no tuition | Bundestag research service, 13 March 2019 (WD 8-3000-031/19) |
| Non-EU student in Baden-Württemberg | 1,500 euros per semester since winter semester 2017/18 | Baden-Württemberg ministry of science, page without date |
| Non-EU student in other federal states | No further state-level fee found in the sources we checked | Bundestag overview 2019, not re-verified for 2026 |
| Further-education Master’s programme | Generally chargeable | Bundestag research service, 2019 (footnote) |
Be aware that the Bundestag overview also compares fees in other EU countries. Those figures are from 2019 and currency rates from that date, so use them only as background and not as current prices.
If you already hold a degree and plan a second degree (Zweitstudium), the rules can differ again. The sources we checked do not cover second degrees in detail, so ask the university before you enrol and before you sign any contract.
What does the Baden-Württemberg fee mean in practice?
The 1,500-euro fee in Baden-Württemberg is the best-documented example, and it is easy to calculate. The ministry states the amount plainly and says the rule applies from winter semester 2017/18. The page also mentions that there are “a number of exemptions provided for certain students”, but it does not list them. The full rules sit in the state’s higher education fee law (Landeshochschulgebührengesetz, LHGebG), which is published in German only.
Assumption: you enrol in Baden-Württemberg for a six-semester Bachelor programme, you are not exempt, and the fee stays at 1,500 euros. The total tuition would then be 9,000 euros (1,500 euros mal 6 semesters). Semester fees and living costs come on top of that.
What is the semester fee, and is it tuition?
No, the semester fee (Semesterbeitrag) is not tuition. Almost every student at a German university pays it, including students from Germany. It covers administrative services, and at many universities it also includes a public transport ticket. The amount differs from university to university, so compare the figures before you choose a programme. Our overview of semester fees for 30 cities shows the differences in a compact format: Semester Fees by University: Data for 30 Cities.
Which costs remain even if tuition is free?
For most students, the real budget items are rent, food, transport, books and health insurance. Health insurance is compulsory for many students in Germany, and the rules depend on your age, your status and your income. Our guide on student health insurance explains the basics: Student Health Insurance Germany 2026: Rates and Example.
Choosing a city also changes your costs. Our city comparison shows how university locations differ: Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared. For German-speaking readers, the guide on student loans offers an overview of financing options (in German): Studienkredite im Vergleich.
Tuition is only one line in your budget. Plan for the full academic year, including the semester fee, insurance, transport and the cost of the first month, which is often the highest, because deposits and furniture come due at the start.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay tuition as an EU citizen?
In most cases, no, for Bachelor’s and consecutive Master’s programmes at state universities, according to the 2019 Bundestag overview. Check your specific programme, because further-education Master’s programmes are often chargeable and some universities set their own rules.
Is Baden-Württemberg the only state that charges fees?
The sources we checked name Baden-Württemberg as the documented exception for non-EU students. Because the overview dates from 2019, confirm the current rules with the university or the state ministry before you plan your budget.
Are there exemptions for non-EU students in Baden-Württemberg?
Yes, the ministry mentions a number of exemptions for certain students, without listing them on its page. Ask your university for the current exemption rules and check the state fee law for the details.
Can a scholarship help with fees?
Scholarships can help with living costs and sometimes with other expenses, but the rules differ by provider. Our overview of scholarships explains the main types and what they usually require: Scholarships for students: Types, providers, requirements.
What you should do now
- Check whether your programme is a first degree, a consecutive Master’s or a further-education Master’s.
- Ask the international office of your university in writing which fees apply to you.
- If you are a non-EU student in Baden-Württemberg, budget 1,500 euros per semester and ask about exemptions.
- Add the semester fee and living costs to your budget, not only the tuition.
- Compare health insurance options early, because the rules and deadlines take time.
Related guides
- Semester Fees by University: Data for 30 Cities
- Student Health Insurance Germany 2026: Rates and Example
- Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared
- Scholarships for students: Types, providers, requirements
- Studienkredite im Vergleich (in German)
Sources: Deutscher Bundestag, Wissenschaftliche Dienste, Sachstand WD 8 – 3000 – 031/19 on tuition fees in the EU (13 March 2019) and Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg, tuition fees for international students (undated page).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
