Study in Germany
Quick answer: At most German state universities there is no tuition fee, or only a very low one, so students mainly cover a semester contribution and their living costs. The main exceptions are Baden-Württemberg, where students from outside the EU owe €1,500 a semester, and TUM in Bavaria. For the visa you will usually need a blocked account (Sperrkonto), so plan your budget well ahead; our study-abroad budget guide helps with that.
Tuition fees by federal state
- Baden-Württemberg: non-EU students on bachelor’s and consecutive master’s programmes pay €1,500 for each semester.
- Bavaria (TUM): depending on the programme, TUM charges €2,000–3,000 per semester at bachelor’s level and €4,000–6,000 at master’s level. Bavaria’s other state universities charge no tuition.
- The other 14 states: state universities do not charge non-EU students tuition.
These rules depend on political decisions and can change, so confirm the current position on the official website of your university and its state.
The semester contribution
Every student pays a contribution each semester towards the student union, student services and, in many cases, a public transport pass. Depending on the state and university, it ranges from roughly €70 to €430. Where a city or regional travel ticket is included, your day-to-day costs drop noticeably. Some examples for winter 2026/27:
| University / state | Payment | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Universität Münster | €369.50 semester contribution | Winter semester 2026/27 |
| Freie Universität Berlin | €376.80 semester contribution | Winter semester 2026/27 |
| Universität Hamburg | €402 semester contribution | Winter semester 2026/27 |
| Baden-Württemberg (all state universities) | €1,500 tuition for non-EU students, on top of the contribution | Every semester |
Source: uni-muenster.de, fu-berlin.de, uni-hamburg.de, daad.de — checked 11/2026.
For any other university, look up its contribution on its own official site.
Routes to admission
An Azerbaijani attestat does not always give direct entry to a bachelor’s degree: sometimes 1–2 years of university study or a Studienkolleg is required first. For a master’s, the core documents are a bachelor’s diploma, a German or English language certificate and a motivation letter. A tuition-free master’s is realistic at most state universities, though the semester contribution still applies (more in our guide to free master’s degrees abroad). If you prefer state-funded study, read about the State Programme 2026/27.
Applying in six steps
- Find a programme. Search English-taught master’s degrees in the DAAD programme database.
- Read the requirements. Each programme page sets out the diploma, transcript, language certificate and deadline it expects.
- Submit the application. Where the university uses uni-assist, apply through that portal: €75 for the first programme in a semester and €30 for each further one (uni-assist.de). Otherwise use the university’s own portal.
- Receive the admission letter (Zulassung).
- Open a blocked account. DAAD says that from 1 January 2025 you must prove €992 per month, i.e. 12 × €992 = €11,904 for the year. Check the 2026/27 figure on the German embassy’s official website.
- Apply for the student visa, preparing documents to the requirements of the German Embassy in Baku.
Frequently asked questions
Is studying in Germany free?
Most state universities charge no tuition, but you still pay the semester contribution and your living costs.
Do I have to speak German?
Not on English-taught programmes, although German makes everyday life and job hunting easier.
Is a master’s degree really tuition-free?
At most state universities, yes, apart from the semester contribution (€369.50–402 at the sample universities for 2026/27) and living costs; non-EU students in Baden-Württemberg add €1,500 per semester.
What does uni-assist charge?
€75 for the first programme and €30 for every additional one in the same semester (uni-assist.de, 11/2026).
Where do I submit my application?
Through uni-assist if the programme requires it; if not, directly on the university’s own application portal.
Plan it with us
EDDE Global can help you compare German state universities by state fees and semester costs and prepare your uni-assist and visa paperwork. Book a free consultation.