"Zero tuition in Germany" is in every study-abroad pitch. It is mostly true, but not the full picture.
Most public universities in Germany do not charge tuition for bachelor's and master's programmes, and this applies to international students too, not just EU citizens.
What you still pay
- Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester, so "zero tuition" is not universal.
- Every semester you pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), usually a few hundred euros, which covers administration and often a public transport pass.
- For the student visa, you show living costs in a blocked account, currently €11,904 for the year.
So the real saving is on tuition, not on the full cost of studying. That still makes Germany one of the more affordable serious study destinations, as long as you plan your budget with real numbers, not headlines.
Source: Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science – Tuition fees for international students
Published 16 October 2026. Rules can change; we confirm current requirements during counselling.