The short answer on studying at 45
Studying at 45 is not ruled out, but financing becomes tighter. BAföG is only possible if the training begins before your 45th birthday. The KfW student loan ends at age 44. Student health insurance no longer applies, and voluntary statutory or private health insurance costs at least around €278 per month in 2026.
Until when can I get BAföG?
Under § 10 para. 3 sentence 1 BAföG, no training assistance is granted if trainees have completed their 45th year of life at the start of the training section. The training must therefore begin before your 45th birthday. Exceptions for reasons that prevent you from beginning in time are governed by sentence 2, which the government draft for the 30th BAföG Amendment Act intends to delete.
From the age of 30, your parents’ income is no longer taken into account. Funding then no longer depends on your parental home.
| Feature | Value 2026 | Status | Official status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age limit for the start | Before the 45th birthday | Applicable law | Official | bafög.de, DSW FAQ |
| Maximum rate living away from home from age 30 | €1,088 per month | 1 August 2024 | Official | DSW requirement rates |
| Maximum rate living with parents from age 30 | €767 per month | 1 August 2024 | Official | DSW requirement rates |
| Asset allowance from age 30 | €45,000 | Status July 2024 | Official | bafög.de |
| Loan share | 50 percent of the funding | Applicable law | Official | bafög.de |
| Repayment cap | €10,010 | 1 September 2019 | Official | bafög.de |
The maximum rate is the upper limit of the funding. Half is a grant, and the other half is an interest-free loan. For students aged 30 and over, supplements for health and long-term care insurance apply (up to €185 and €48, 2026).
What does the 2027 BAföG draft change?
The draft bill of the 30th BAföG Amendment Act is still in the legislative process and has not been passed. The age limit of 45 remains in the draft. The draft provides for higher housing allowances from 1 April 2027 and a higher basic requirement from the winter semester 2027/28. These values are draft figures and only apply once the act has been promulgated.
Is health insurance possible at 45?
Yes. Student health insurance (KVdS) no longer applies. You are either voluntarily insured in statutory health insurance or privately insured.
Calculation for voluntary statutory insurance (childless, 2026)
- Minimum assessment: €3,955.00 (reference figure) divided by 3 equals €1,318.33.
- Health insurance with the reduced rate of 14.0% and additional contribution of 2.9%: €1,318.33 times 16.9% equals €222.80.
- Long-term care insurance with childless surcharge: €1,318.33 times 4.2% equals €55.37.
- Total: €222.80 plus €55.37 equals €278.17 per month.
With a child and without the childless surcharge, long-term care insurance comes to €47.46 instead of €55.37. The total is then €270.26.
Which loan is possible at 45?
The KfW student loan is intended for people up to a maximum of 44 years old on the reference date of 1 April or 1 October before the start of financing. The details come from the information sheet of November 2023.
For the age limit of the federal education loan (Bildungskredit), ask the Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt) before you apply.
Here is what to do now
- Check whether your course starts before your 45th birthday.
- Submit the BAföG application with all proof of income and assets.
- Clarify your insurance before enrolment, because exemption and admission to statutory or private insurance follow their own deadlines.
- Compare the loan and BAföG by looking at interest and repayments.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still start a first degree at 45?
That is possible if the university admits you. BAföG funding depends on the age limit, which requires the training to begin before your 45th birthday.
Is there a KfW student loan at 45?
According to the 2023 information sheet, no, because the age limit is 44.
What does health insurance cost at 45?
Around €278 per month in voluntary statutory insurance for childless insured persons (2026, minimum assessment). Private insurance depends on the tariff and the health check.
Does family insurance apply at 45?
No. Children are only covered by family insurance up to age 25 if they are in training.
Sources
- § 10 BAföG (age limit), bafög.de, status December 2025 for allowances.
- Studierendenwerke, BAföG FAQ, status January 2026.
- KfW, information sheet on the student loan, status November 2023.
- GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on calculation parameters 2026, status 1 January 2026.
- Draft bill for the 30th BAföG Amendment Act, Bundestag printed paper 21/8405 (draft bill).
Related reading
- Financing studies over 30: BAföG, scholarship, loan and side job (in German)
- Studying at 30 and over: opportunities, financing and everyday life (in German)
- BAföG 2026: entitlement, amount and repayment explained (in German)
- Health insurance as a student over 30: obligation, costs and options (in German)
Information, not individual advice.
Editorial team: Academycon · Last updated: October 2026
For a first assessment of your situation, use the Academycon online check.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
