If you want to study in Germany from Kenya, you need to plan three things early: a German national visa for study, proof that your living costs are covered, and health insurance that the embassy accepts. This guide goes through each step with the figures published by the German Embassy in Nairobi, and it explains which rules apply once you are enrolled.
Short answer: Kenyan applicants need a German national visa for study. The Embassy in Nairobi asks for a blocked account of 11,904 euros for the first year, which equals 992 euros per month, proof of health insurance valid for three months from your date of entry, and a visa fee of 75 euros. Figures checked in October 2026 against the Nairobi page, dated 19 July 2024.
The most important points
- You need a national visa if your stay in Germany is longer than 90 days, for example for a bachelor or master programme.
- The Nairobi embassy lists a blocked account of 11,904 euros for the first year of your stay, which is 992 euros per month.
- Your health insurance must be valid for three months from your date of entry. The page does not name a minimum premium.
- The visa fee is 75 euros, payable in Kenyan shillings. The page gives no shilling equivalent.
- Processing usually takes one to two months, so start as soon as you hold your admission document.
- Once you are enrolled at a German university, you generally need German student health insurance under § 5 SGB V.
Do you need a national visa to study from Kenya?
Yes, if your programme lasts longer than 90 days. A visitor visa does not cover study. The Nairobi mission lists the documents you bring: a passport with one copy of the data page, one completed and signed application form, two current biometric photos on a white background, and your admission document. Depending on your case, that document is an unconditional or conditional admission letter, a Studienkolleg notice, a language course registration, or an application confirmation or uni-assist notice. Applicants residing in Kenya must also show a valid Kenyan residence permit.
You also need original degree and transcript documents, a gapless CV and a motivation letter, both in German or English. For language proof, the embassy usually expects B2 level. For Kenya it accepts Goethe-Institut, ÖSD, IELTS or TOEFL certificates, unless your university has already tested your skills. The legal basis for the study visa is § 16b of the Residence Act (AufenthG).
How much money must you show, and what does it mean per month?
The blocked account (Sperrkonto) is the most common way to prove your finances. You can withdraw only a fixed monthly amount, which the embassy sets at 992 euros. The Nairobi page gives the full figure for the first year of your stay as 11,904 euros. Alternatively, the page lists a sponsor’s formal obligation letter or a scholarship confirmation as proof of financing.
| Item | Amount | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked account, first year | 11,904 euros | German Embassy Nairobi, page dated 19 July 2024 |
| Blocked account, per month | 992 euros | Same page |
| Visa fee | 75 euros, payable in Kenyan shillings | Same page |
| Health insurance proof | Valid three months from entry, no minimum premium stated | Same page |
| Typical processing time | One to two months, no fixed timeline | Same page |
Calculation example. Assumption: you study for twelve months. Then 992 euros multiplied by 12 gives 11,904 euros, the full sum the embassy expects you to show for the first year. For a six-month exchange, the same logic gives 5,952 euros (Assumption: six months at 992 euros). Ask the embassy when the account must be funded, because the page does not say.
Which health insurance do you need before and after you travel?
For the visa you need proof of health insurance that is valid for three months from your date of entry. The Nairobi page does not state a premium or a minimum level of coverage, so ask your insurer to confirm in writing that the document matches the embassy’s wording. Keep that confirmation with your application documents.
After enrolment, the rules change. Students at a German university generally must hold German health insurance under § 5 SGB V. Most students join the statutory student scheme. Private cover can apply where the statutory scheme does not, and the right choice depends on your situation. You can compare both routes in our guide to public or private health insurance for international students.
For 2026, the statutory student contribution is calculated from a basic figure of 855 euros per month. The table shows the averages published by the GKV-Spitzenverband with the status of 1 January 2026. Your own fund may charge a different additional contribution, so check its rate before you enrol.
| Component, statutory student insurance 2026 | Monthly amount | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Basic contribution: 855 euros x 10.22 percent | 87.38 euros | GKV-Spitzenverband fact sheet, status 1 January 2026 |
| Average additional contribution: 855 euros x 2.9 percent | 24.80 euros | Same fact sheet, calculated |
| Health insurance total, average | 112.18 euros | Calculated from the two lines above |
| Nursing care, childless students aged 23 or older: 855 euros x 4.2 percent | 35.91 euros | Same fact sheet, status 1 January 2026 |
Calculation example. Assumption: you are 24, have no children and your fund charges the average additional contribution. Your monthly total is then 112.18 euros plus 35.91 euros for nursing care, which makes 148.09 euros per month. For current rates, see our key figures for student health insurance in 2026.
What should you do once you arrive in Germany?
Keep your enrolment certificate, your insurance card and your residence documents together. Your university’s international office and the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) will tell you which registration steps apply in your city. Many students also compare the cost of living and semester fees before they choose a university. Our overview of thirty German university cities compared is a useful starting point.
Step by step: how to apply from Kenya
- Confirm your admission document: an unconditional or conditional admission letter, a Studienkolleg notice, a language course registration, or an application confirmation.
- Choose your proof of finances: a blocked account of 11,904 euros for the first year, a sponsor’s formal obligation letter, or a scholarship confirmation.
- Get health insurance that is valid for three months from your date of entry and keep the written confirmation.
- Complete the online form, prepare two biometric photos and bring originals of your degree and transcripts.
- Pay the 75 euro fee in Kenyan shillings and book your appointment through the portal named by the embassy (TLScontact for Kenya), then attend in person.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply without an admission letter yet?
The Nairobi page accepts several admission types, including a place reservation, an application confirmation, a uni-assist final notification or a Studienkolleg test invitation. Which one fits depends on where you are in the application process. Ask the embassy which document is enough for your case before you book an appointment.
Do I have to deposit 11,904 euros at once?
A blocked account works differently from a normal savings account. You can withdraw only a fixed monthly amount from it, which the Nairobi page sets at 992 euros. The page describes the 11,904 euros for the first year as the equivalent of that monthly sum, so the account must hold the full amount for the year you show.
Is the visa fee 75 euros, and how do I pay it?
The Nairobi page states a fee of 75 euros, payable in Kenyan shillings. It does not give the shilling equivalent, so check the current rate with the embassy or your payment provider before you pay.
How long will the visa take?
The embassy gives a typical processing time of one to two months. It does not give a fixed timeline, so plan with a buffer, especially if your semester starts in the autumn or spring and you need to arrive on time.
What to do next
- Compare your proof of finances against the 11,904 euro first-year figure and calculate the exact amount for your programme length.
- Ask your insurer for written confirmation that your policy meets the three-month requirement.
- Start the online application as soon as your admission is confirmed, because processing takes one to two months.
Related guides
- Health Insurance for International Students in Germany
- Student Health Insurance in Germany 2026: Key Figures
- Health insurance for students: glossary from A to Z
Sources: German Embassy Nairobi, Visa for higher education studies (page dated 19 July 2024); § 5 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de (current text); § 16b AufenthG, gesetze-im-internet.de (current text); GKV-Spitzenverband, Faktenblatt Rechengrößen Beitragsrecht 2026 (status 1 January 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
