Tuition-free in Germany: what's actually free, and what still costs
The headline is true — but it applies to specific universities, not the whole country. Here's exactly what you pay, and where the one big exception lives.
6 min · updated 2026-08-10 · figures indicative, official sources win
The headline rule
German public universities charge no tuition for bachelor's and most master's programs — for EU and non-EU students alike. It's one of the few remaining deals like it in the developed world, and it's the reason Germany shows up on every 'study abroad on a budget' list.
What you do pay is the Semesterbeitrag (semester contribution): roughly €150–400 per semester, set by each university. It covers student-services fees and, at most universities, a Semesterticket — a public-transport pass for the whole semester, which alone can be worth the fee in a city like Berlin or Munich.
The one big exception: Baden-Württemberg
Since 2017, the state of Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500/semester tuition at its public universities — that's Heidelberg, Tübingen, Stuttgart, Freiburg, Karlsruhe, and others. A separate €650 second-degree fee applies to anyone (EU or not) doing a second bachelor's or master's after already holding one.
No other state currently charges general non-EU tuition at public universities (a few states tried and repealed it over the past decade) — but state policy has moved before and can move again. Check the specific university's fee page, not a general rule, before committing.
Public vs private — the real cost split
UniChapter's board lists both public and private institutions, and this matters: private universities — many of them offering the fastest-to-apply English-taught master's — charge real tuition, commonly €8,000–20,000/year. 'Tuition-free' is a public-university feature, not a country-wide guarantee.
If budget is your top constraint, filter for public universities first (outside Baden-Württemberg) and treat private-university listings as the trade-off they are: often easier admission and faster starts, in exchange for tuition that rivals other study destinations.
What 'tuition-free' doesn't cover
No tuition doesn't mean no cost of living. Visa officers still require proof of funds — the blocked account, about €11,904/year (mid-2026 figure). Health insurance runs €120–140/month for students under 30. Housing is the biggest real-world variable, from ~€250 dorm rooms to €1,000+ studios in Munich.
- Blocked account details — see the dedicated guide.
- Health insurance rates and rules — see the dedicated guide.
- Housing costs and where to actually find a room — see the dedicated guide.
Common questions
Is it really free forever, or could that change?
Public-university tuition policy is set at the state level and has shifted before (several states added, then dropped, non-EU fees over the past ~15 years). Baden-Württemberg's fee has held since 2017. Treat 'tuition-free' as current, verified policy — not a permanent guarantee — and re-check before you enroll.
Do EU and non-EU students pay the same semester contribution?
Yes — the Semesterbeitrag applies equally regardless of citizenship. Baden-Württemberg's extra tuition fee is the only place the two groups pay differently.
Are English-taught master's programs usually public or private?
Both exist in real numbers. Public English-taught master's tend to be more selective and slower to admit; private ones often admit faster and market harder to international students, at real tuition cost. Check each program page on the board — the tuition figure is always listed.
Ready to pick your program?
The board shows every English-taught degree you can still start — sorted by deadline, linked to official sources.