The German education loan (Bildungskredit) is a federal loan for students in an advanced phase of their studies. You apply to the Federal Office of Administration (BVA), and after approval you sign the loan agreement with KfW. You choose €100, €200 or €300 a month, and the total comes to between €1,000 and €7,200. The effective interest rate is 4.09% per year and variable. Repayment starts four years after the first payout and amounts to €120 a month.
Quick answer
The German education loan (Bildungskredit) is a federal loan for the advanced phase of studies. You apply to the Federal Office of Administration and sign the agreement with KfW. You choose €100, €200 or €300 a month, up to €7,200 in total. The effective interest rate is 4.09%, and repayment starts four years after the first payout.
Key facts at a glance
- The loan runs for a maximum of 24 months per training phase, and a one-off payment of up to €3,600 is possible.
- Interest accrues from the payout and is deferred until repayment starts.
- There is no income or asset check, and there is no legal right to the loan.
- Early repayment is possible at no extra cost.
| Key fact | Value | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly rate | €100, €200 or €300 | BVA figures, page status 2024, confirm with the BVA |
| Total amount | €1,000 to €7,200 | BVA figures, page status 2024 |
| Interest | 4.09% effective per year, variable | valid from 1 October 2026 |
| Repayment | €120 a month, starts four years after the first payout | BVA figures, page status 2024 |
BVA or KfW, who does what?
Both bodies belong to the same programme, but they have different tasks. The Federal Office of Administration accepts your application, checks it and decides on approval. After that, KfW is your contract partner. That is why you will find the loan under both names.
| Task | Responsible | Primary source |
|---|---|---|
| Application, review and approval | Federal Office of Administration | BVA, what the education loan offers (in German) |
| Loan agreement and payout | KfW | BVA, what the education loan offers (in German) |
| Interest and interest adjustment | Federal Office of Administration | BVA, interest on the education loan (in German) |
When comparing federal student loans, KfW publishes its own interest figures. You can find the current rates for the KfW student loan under KfW, questions and answers on the student loan (in German).
Who can apply for the German education loan?
You can get the loan if you are of legal age, study full time and are in an advanced phase. This includes the final phase of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, a state examination or diploma, and a semester abroad or an internship. You also need a domestic current account and a university that is eligible for BAföG.
How much money do you get and for how long?
Before you apply, choose a monthly rate of €100, €200 or €300. Once you have applied, the amount cannot be changed. The payout runs for a maximum of 24 months, so the total amount is between €1,000 and €7,200.
| Monthly rate | Term | Total amount |
|---|---|---|
| €100 | 10 months | €1,000 |
| €200 | 18 months | €3,600 |
| €300 | 12 months | €3,600 |
| €300 | 24 months | €7,200 |
The table only multiplies the monthly rate by the term. A one-off payment of up to €3,600 is a separate option, which you ask about at the BVA.
What interest applies and what does it cost?
The interest rate is 4.09% effective per year (as of 1 October 2026). It is variable and is reset for six months on 1 April and 1 October. Before that it was 3.53% effective. Interest accrues from the payout. It is deferred until repayment begins and is added to the amount you repay.
Example, simplified without compound interest: €3,600 times 4.09% equals €147.24 in interest per year. This amount grows with each payout. It is not due separately but is settled with the repayment.
Applying to the Federal Office of Administration, next steps
- Check the requirements. You need full-time study in an advanced phase, your age and a domestic current account.
- Set your monthly rate and term, because the rate is fixed once you apply.
- Register in the BVA portal and submit the online application well before the funding period begins.
- Send the documents requested, such as your identity card with confirmation of registration and your certificate of enrolment.
- Wait for the decision. After approval, sign the loan agreement with KfW and return it by the deadline.
Education loan, BAföG or KfW student loan, the differences
| Feature | German education loan | BAföG | KfW student loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payout | €100, €200 or €300 a month | up to €992 a month (maximum rate for students under 30 with their own accommodation) | €100 to €650 a month |
| Interest | 4.09% effective, variable | half grant, half interest-free loan | 6.38% effective, variable (from 1 October 2026) |
| Income check | none | yes, depending on the case | none |
| Age limit | ask the BVA | start before age 45 | 18 to 44 years |
| Repayment | €120 a month, starts four years after the first payout | €130 a month, up to €10,010 in loans, starts five years after the maximum funding period ends | grace period of 18 to 23 months, repayment over up to 25 years |
Status of the figures: 20 October 2026. The sources are listed at the end of this guide.
If you are entitled to BAföG, check that first. The loan portion of BAföG is interest-free, whereas the education loan does carry interest. The education loan can run alongside BAföG and suits a limited gap in the final phase of your studies.
Is the German education loan worth it?
Example: Lea, 24, is doing a master’s degree and receives the BAföG maximum of €992. She also chooses a €300 education loan for 12 months. That gives her €1,292 per month. She has to repay the €3,600 from the education loan, plus interest.
Because the loan is granted without an income check, it is also an option for students who do not receive BAföG. In that case it is one of several building blocks alongside a scholarship and a part-time job.
Repayment, what to expect
Repayment starts four years after the first payout. The monthly rate is €120. Without interest, €3,600 would be repaid in 30 instalments and €7,200 in 60 instalments. Because interest is added, it takes longer. If you can pay earlier, you can repay at any time at no extra cost. If you need more time, you can apply to the BVA for deferral.
Frequently asked questions
Is the education loan from the BVA or from KfW?
Both. The Federal Office of Administration approves the loan, and you then sign the loan agreement with KfW. The BVA is responsible for questions about the application, and the KfW website helps with questions about interest.
Can I combine the education loan with BAföG?
Yes. The loan is granted without an income and asset check and does not replace BAföG. Check your BAföG entitlement first.
Can I repay the education loan early?
Yes, at any time and at no extra cost. This reduces the interest burden, because interest accrues from the payout.
When should I apply?
Plan your application with a lead time. Processing takes several weeks, and the payout only starts after approval and once the signed agreement is in place.
Related reading
- Student loans compared, criteria, interest rates and alternatives (in German)
- BAföG 2026, eligibility, amount and repayment (in German)
- Studying at 30 and over, opportunities, funding and daily life (in German)
Sources
- Federal Office of Administration, education loan, what it offers (in German, page status 2024, interest figures 2026)
- Federal Office of Administration, interest on the education loan (in German)
- KfW, questions and answers on the student loan (in German, status 1 October 2026)
- German Student Services Organisation, FAQ on BAföG (January 2026, in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
Want to see where you stand? You can find the Academycon online check on our website.
