Germany,
tuition‑free, demanding.
Public universities in Germany charge no tuition, even for international students. What Germany asks instead is discipline — an APS certification, a fully funded Blocked Account, and a willingness to learn the language. The investment is your time, not just your money.
Four ways to get to Germany.
Pick the pathway that matches your goal. Each links to the detailed process, costs, and what we handle for you.
Six steps to your National Visa.
The German process is short on steps and long on verification. The APS certification alone can take three to twelve weeks. Plan backwards from your university intake — Winter (October) or Summer (April) — and start nine months out.
Clear your IELTS exam.
Take the IELTS Academic exam. Aim for an overall band of 6.5 or higher. Note carefully: the PTE exam is not accepted by German universities or consular authorities — IELTS or TOEFL only.
Apply for your APS Certificate.
Register on the APS India portal (Academic Evaluation Centre at the German Embassy). Pay the validation fee and courier your physical Indian academic transcripts to New Delhi for source authentication. Issuance takes roughly three to twelve weeks — this is the longest single step in the process.
Apply to German universities and secure your Zulassung.
Once your physical APS certificate is in hand, apply to target public universities directly or via the Uni-Assist portal. Secure your formal Letter of Admission (Zulassungsbescheid). We shortlist programs that match your APS-validated profile.
Open and fund a German Blocked Account.
Open a Sperrkonto online via an approved vendor — Expatrio, Fintiba, or Coracle are the established choices. Transfer the mandatory one-year living-expense reserve of €11,904 upfront to secure your official Blocking Confirmation. The account releases roughly €992 to you each month after you arrive.
Secure approved health coverage.
For enrolment, German public insurance (TK, Barmer, AOK) is combined with a targeted incoming travel health policy for the initial entry visa phase. The visa officer will check both certificates.
Book your slot and submit via VFS Global.
Schedule a National Student Visa interview slot at your regional VFS Global centre. Present your printed visa application, passport, APS certificate, admission letter, Blocked Account confirmation, and health insurance. Decisions typically arrive in six to twelve weeks.
47 public & private universities in Germany.
Tuition-free public universities and specialist private institutions across Germany. Search by name, or ask us for a shortlist matched to your course and German-language level.
No institutions match “” — ask us, we likely still work with your target school.
Don’t see your target institution? Ask us — our network extends beyond this list.
What it actually costs.
Because public university education in Germany is free, your capital requirement centres entirely on personal survival. The €11,904 Blocked Account is the bulk of your outlay.
| Expense | Cost in EUR | Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic exam fee | ~€180 | ₹17,000 |
| APS India document verification (mandatory) | €200 | ₹18,000 |
| Uni-Assist processing (base + each additional university) | €75 + €30 | ₹6,800 + ₹2,700 |
| Blocked Account setup and administrative fee | ~€49 – 89 | ₹4,400 – 8,000 |
| German National Student Visa fee | €75 | ₹6,800 |
| Tuition at public universities | €0 | ₹0 — free |
| Mandatory Blocked Account capital deposit | €11,904 | ≈ ₹10.7 lakhs |
| First-year total liquid capital required | ≈ EUR 12,500 | ≈ ₹11.3 lakhs |
Public universities charge a minor semester contribution of €150 – €400 covering public transit passes and campus services. Private universities are not free.
Affordable, yes. Easy, no.
- German is your real friend. Even English-taught programs reward A2 or B1 German for daily life, part-time work, and post-study employment. Start early — Goethe-Institut A1 takes roughly two months of focused study.
- APS is the bottleneck. If your transcripts are flagged, the process can stretch by months. We pre-screen documents before couriering to New Delhi.
- The Blocked Account is genuinely blocked. You cannot withdraw the full €11,904 at once — only €992 per month after arrival. Plan your initial cash separately.
- Part-time work is generous. Students can work 140 full days or 280 half-days per year — among the most flexible in Europe.
- The Job Seeker Visa exists. After graduation, you receive an 18-month residence permit to find work matching your qualification. Germany wants you to stay.