Study abroad in Kenya: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not apply there, so you need private travel health insurance with repatriation cover. According to the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt), a visa is no longer required, but all travellers need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA). The DAAD lists a monthly scholarship rate of 825 euros for students in Kenya as a guideline.
Study abroad in Kenya at a glance
| Point | Information (status October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | The EHIC does not apply. Since early October 2026, a Kenyan travel health insurance policy must be taken out | European Commission, Federal Foreign Office |
| Visa | No visa required, but an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before travel. The office gives no rule for study | Federal Foreign Office |
| Tuition fees | No verified amount. They depend on the exchange agreement of your home university | Host university |
| Living costs | 825 euros per month as a DAAD guideline rate (list without date) | DAAD, scholarship rates |
| Study grant abroad (Auslands-BAföG) | Possible. Responsible office according to the DSW assignment: Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg | Deutsches Studierendenwerk (DSW), leaflet January 2026 |
All information is general and not individual advice. The official pages linked here are authoritative.
How is health insurance arranged in Kenya?
European Health Insurance Card and social security agreement
Kenya is not part of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland. The EHIC therefore does not apply there. According to the European Commission, the card covers the EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. We have not found a social security agreement with Kenya that covers health insurance, so we name none.
Outside the area covered by the card, you must arrange treatment in Kenya yourself. Ask your health insurer in writing before you leave which services it covers abroad. The guide on health insurance during a study abroad semester explains the basics: Health insurance during a study abroad semester (in German).
Since early October 2026, Kenya requires a paid Kenyan travel health insurance policy, according to the Federal Foreign Office. Other providers are not accepted. The office does not state the amount.
For direct entry from Germany, no vaccinations are compulsory. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required only for entry from a yellow fever area, from the age of 12 months. Vaccination against hepatitis A and poliomyelitis is recommended, as are up-to-date standard vaccinations, especially against measles.
Private travel health insurance and repatriation
The Federal Foreign Office advises ensuring adequate travel health insurance cover and taking out medical evacuation insurance in addition. Check whether the policy covers repatriation and treatment that can wait until your return. Background is in our guide travel health insurance for Erasmus, the USA and work and travel (in German). Privately insured students will find the basics in our guide PKV for students in non-EU countries (in German).
Do you need a visa for Kenya?
According to the Federal Foreign Office, no visa has been required since the introduction of the eTA. All travellers need an electronic travel authorisation. You apply online at the earliest three months and at the latest 72 hours before departure. The eTA does not guarantee entry, as the decision lies with the border officers. Optionally, an East African tourist visa can be applied for, costing 100 US dollars.
The office accepts a passport, a provisional passport and a children’s passport. An identity card is not accepted. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your stay, and a return or onward ticket is required.
Whether and which visa you need for study in Kenya is decided by the authorities of the country. We do not repeat a rule of our own, because we have not found an official statement that covers study. The travel and security advice of the Federal Foreign Office for Kenya (in German) lists the entry rules for German citizens. For longer stays, the office notes that a work permit is generally required, including for internships.
Keep these documents ready for entry:
- Passport or provisional passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of your stay
- Approved eTA, applied for online at the latest 72 hours before departure
- Proof of the Kenyan travel health insurance
- Return or onward ticket
According to the Federal Foreign Office, there is a partial travel warning for Kenya (page status 25 October 2026). Travel is advised against in the counties Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Lamu in the east of Kenya, except Lamu Island and Manda Island. Travel to the counties Baringo, West Pokot and Turkana in the North Rift region and to the north of the county Tana River, including the A3 highway, is strongly advised against. Non-essential travel to Lamu Island and Manda Island is advised against. Particular caution applies to the extended North Rift region and the border area with Ethiopia. The risk of terrorist attacks by the Somali group Al-Shabaab is increased, especially in the eastern counties. Robberies and carjacking occur in Nairobi and Mombasa.
What does a study abroad semester in Kenya cost?
Tuition fees
Which fees your host university charges depends on the exchange agreement with your home university. We do not name a general amount, because we have no official figure that we could verify. Ask both your home university and the host university before you accept a place.
Living costs
The DAAD scholarship rates list a monthly rate of 825 euros for students in Kenya. This is a guideline, not a budget. The list carries no date. We have not found a verified figure for accommodation and food on site, so ask your host university for its budget for exchange students.
Funding: Erasmus+ and Auslands-BAföG
The Erasmus+ programme guide of the European Commission lists Kenya among the partner countries of region 9 (Sub-Saharan Africa). These countries take part in certain measures only under specific criteria. Whether your exchange runs under Erasmus+ and what funding you receive is decided by your university. More in our guide Erasmus and planning a study abroad semester (in German).
Study grant abroad (Auslands-BAföG) is possible for part of a degree abroad. For Kenya, the Deutsches Studierendenwerk (DSW) assigns the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg, Office for Training Support, according to its leaflet of January 2026. Outside the EU, the BAföG foreign supplement regulation allows a supplement if purchasing power abroad is lower. The Federal Foreign Office sets the percentage, and the regulation names no euro amount. Details are in our guide Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German).
Worked example: For a stay of five months at the DAAD guideline of 825 euros a month, living costs come to 4,125 euros. The eTA fee and the Kenyan travel health insurance premium are not stated by the office and are therefore not priced here. Flights, tuition fees of the host university and the semester fee of your home university are not included either. The total is a guide, not a promise.
How to prepare before you leave
- Ask your health insurer in writing which services apply in Kenya before you sign the learning agreement.
- Take out the required Kenyan travel health insurance. The Federal Foreign Office says other providers are not accepted.
- Apply for the eTA online at the earliest three months and at the latest 72 hours before departure.
- Check that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the end of your stay, and book a return or onward ticket.
- Ask your host university whether you need a permit for study. The Federal Foreign Office gives no rule for study.
- Check vaccinations with your doctor: hepatitis A, poliomyelitis and standard vaccinations, especially against measles.
- If you want Auslands-BAföG, apply to the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg about six months before departure.
- Read the travel and security advice of the Federal Foreign Office shortly before you leave and watch for changes.
Frequently asked questions
Does my European Health Insurance Card work in Kenya?
No. According to the European Commission, the card applies in the EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. For Kenya you need the required Kenyan travel health insurance and cover for repatriation.
Do I need a visa for Kenya?
According to the Federal Foreign Office, not since the eTA was introduced. You must apply for the eTA online. For study, the office gives no rule.
Do I have to pay tuition fees in Kenya?
That depends on the exchange agreement of your home university. We do not name an amount, because we have no verified figure. Ask your university before you accept the place.
What does living cost in Kenya?
The DAAD scholarship rates list 825 euros a month for students in Kenya as a guideline. It is not a budget, and the list carries no date. Ask your host university for its figures for exchange students.
Is there a travel warning for Kenya?
Yes, a partial travel warning applies. It covers the east of the country, the North Rift region and Lamu. According to the Federal Foreign Office, no warning covers the whole country.
Who is responsible for Auslands-BAföG for Kenya?
According to the DSW assignment, the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg, Office for Training Support. The leaflet is dated January 2026.
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office, Kenya: travel and security advice (page status 25 October 2026)
- European Commission, FAQ on the European Health Insurance Card (no date)
- DAAD, scholarship rates for students and graduates (no date)
- European Commission, Erasmus+ Programme Guide Part A, eligible countries (no date)
- Deutsches Studierendenwerk, leaflet Auslands-BAföG (status January 2026)
- BAföG foreign supplement regulation, gesetze-im-internet.de (no date)
Sources retrieved on 25 October 2026, unless stated otherwise.
Related articles
- Health insurance during a study abroad semester (in German)
- Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German)
- Study abroad in Ghana (in German)
- Study abroad in Egypt (in German)
- All countries for your study abroad semester (in German)
You can find the online check at check.academycon.de.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
