If you want to study in Germany from Vietnam, the paperwork matters as much as the money. Check early whether your university asks for an APS certificate, prove your blocked account for the full period, and buy travel health insurance that matches the visa rules. This guide walks through each point with the figures that are documented and their sources.
Short answer: a German student visa from Vietnam requires proof of funds for your first year. The general German reference figure for a blocked account is 992 euros per month, or 11,904 euros for a year. Travel health insurance is also required, but the German Embassy in Hanoi sets the exact terms, which are not documented in the sources used here. The cited university page names an APS office in Hanoi, so ask your university whether an APS certificate applies to you.
Key points at a glance
- APS: the cited university page names an APS office in Hanoi. Whether you need an APS certificate depends on your qualification and on your university.
- Blocked account: 992 euros per month, or 11,904 euros for one year (general German reference figure, status 2025/26).
- Travel insurance: the German Embassy in Hanoi sets the requirements, which are not documented in the sources used here, so ask the mission before you buy a policy.
- Statutory student insurance (KVdS) costs 142.96 euros per month for 2026 on an assumed base of 855 euros, excluding the childless surcharge.
- Visa appointments and processing times depend on the mission, so book early and check its current booking system.
- Language proof depends on your programme and your university, so check which tests it accepts.
Do you need an APS certificate from Vietnam?
The APS (Academic Qualifications Verification Office) checks whether foreign school and university certificates are genuine. The cited university page states: “Applicants with educational qualifications from a country covered by the APS must present an APS certificate.” It names an APS office in Hanoi, which points to Vietnam being a covered country. Confirm this with your university, because the answer can depend on your school and your degree.
How much money do you need for the blocked account?
The blocked account (Sperrkonto) shows that your living costs are covered for your first year. The general German reference figure is 992 euros per month, or 11,904 euros for twelve months (status 2025/26). The website of the German Embassy in Hanoi shows no amount, so confirm it with the mission before you open the account.
| Option | Amount | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked account, per month | 992 euros | Account in your name |
| Blocked account, per year | 11,904 euros | Calculation: 12 × 992 euros |
| Scholarship confirmation | Covers the period required | Ask the German Embassy in Hanoi whether it accepts it |
Annahme: you enrol for one academic year starting in October, so you need 11,904 euros. Opening a German account takes time, so plan it before your visa appointment. Our guide to Health insurance for international students in Germany covers the health insurance side of the same application.
Which travel health insurance does the visa office expect?
The German Embassy in Hanoi sets the requirements for travel health insurance, and its current checklist is not documented in the sources used here. Ask the mission in writing which cover it expects, including the validity period, the minimum cover and any minimum term, before you buy a policy. A policy designed for a short trip may not meet the requirements of a full study year.
What does statutory insurance cost after enrolment?
After enrolment, most students join the statutory student insurance (KVdS) under section 5 SGB V. The calculation uses an assumed income base of 855 euros per month. The figures below are based on the GKV-Spitzenverband fact sheet for 2026, with an assumed average additional contribution of 2.9 percent.
| Component | Monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Health insurance base (10.22 percent of 855 euros) | 87.38 euros |
| Average additional contribution (assumed 2.9 percent) | 24.80 euros |
| Care insurance (3.6 percent of 855 euros) | 30.78 euros |
| Total without childless surcharge | 142.96 euros |
If the childless surcharge applies to you, the total is 148.09 euros per month. Statutory cover does not begin before you take up residence and enrol. If you already have other coverage that meets the legal requirements, you can apply for an exemption under section 8 SGB V within three months of the start of compulsory membership.
What is the visa timeline?
Visa timing depends on the German Embassy in Hanoi, and its appointment rules and processing times are not documented in the sources used here. Plan with a buffer: book the appointment as soon as the booking system opens, and allow several weeks for processing. The table uses an arrival on 1 October as an assumption.
| Step | Timing (Annahme: arrival 1 October) | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Visa appointment | As soon as it is available | Booking system of the mission |
| Proof of funds | Ready before the interview | General rule |
| Travel insurance | Bought before the application | To be confirmed with the mission |
Which language proof do you need?
Language proof depends on your programme and on your university. For English-taught programmes, many universities ask for TOEFL or IELTS. For German-taught programmes, they usually ask for German at B1 level or higher. Some missions also accept proof that your school or university taught in English, so ask the German Embassy in Hanoi and your university which documents they accept.
Frequently asked questions
What if my university does not ask for an APS certificate?
Then you may not need one for that application. Ask in writing and keep the answer with your application documents.
Can a scholarship replace the blocked account?
A scholarship confirmation can be an alternative to the blocked account, but acceptance depends on the mission. Check with the German Embassy in Hanoi that it covers the full amount and period that the visa office expects.
Do I still need statutory insurance if I have private cover from Vietnam?
Exemptions are possible only under section 8 SGB V, and only with proof of other coverage that meets the legal requirements. The application must be filed within three months of the start of compulsory membership. Ask your insurer before you rely on the policy.
Which German mission handles my application?
Check the website of the German mission that handles your application, and confirm which office is responsible for your region before you book an appointment.
Your next steps
- Ask your university in writing whether it requires an APS certificate for your Vietnamese certificates.
- Open the blocked account or obtain a scholarship confirmation, and calculate the amount for the period required.
- Buy travel insurance that meets the written requirements of the German Embassy in Hanoi.
- Plan your statutory enrolment, or the exemption application, before you travel.
Related articles
- Health insurance for international students in Germany
- Student health insurance in Germany 2026: key figures
- Health insurance enrolment: proof, procedure and exemption
- German health insurance terms for newcomers
Sources: Saarland University, information on the APS certificate; German Embassy Hanoi, website (checked for this update, no amounts found); GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on contribution figures (status 1 January 2026); Gesetze im Internet, section 5 SGB V.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
