Total Cost of a Master's in Germany for Indian Students (2026-2027, in ₹)

How much does a Master's in Germany cost for Indian students?

At a tuition-free public university in an average German city, a two-year Master's costs about ₹24 to 25 lakh in total, mostly living costs. In Baden-Württemberg, add about ₹6.4 lakh of tuition. At TUM in Munich, with its tuition and Munich rents, it is about ₹50 to 59 lakh. Your city and programme change the total more than anything else.

How we got these numbers:

• Living costs use the monthly totals on our cost of living page: about €910 a month in an average university city and €1,250 in Munich (median WG room rent plus about €400 for food, health insurance and other costs).
• Tuition is €1,500 a semester for non-EU students in Baden-Württemberg, and €4,000 or €6,000 a semester for most Master's programmes at TUM. TUM's rates rise to €4,600 or €6,800 from Winter Semester 2027/28 for new students.
• Semester contributions are usually €150 to €400 a semester, often including a transport ticket. Your university publishes its exact amount.
• uni-assist charges €75 for the first programme and €30 for each extra one in a semester; 6 programmes cost €225. Some universities do not use uni-assist.

Germany university fees for Indian students in rupees

Most public universities charge no tuition, only a semester contribution, usually €150 to €400 a semester (about ₹16,000 to ₹42,000). The exceptions: Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 a semester (about ₹1,59,000), and TUM charges most non-EU Master's students €4,000 or €6,000 a semester (about ₹4,24,000 or ₹6,36,000).

Baden-Württemberg's ministry lists exemptions, for example for non-EU students with a parent who lived in Germany for at least 3 of the 6 years before their studies. Check its page if one could apply to you.

How much money is required to study in Germany?

For the visa, you must show about €11,904 for the first year, usually in a blocked account, which is about ₹12,63,000. That money is not an extra cost: it is paid back to you at €992 a month for living. On top, budget for tuition if your university charges it, your second year of living costs, and the one-time costs before you fly.

Plan your cash flow like this:

1. Before applying: IELTS, uni-assist fees and APS (see the table below).
2. Before the visa: the blocked account deposit of €11,904 plus the provider's fees, and any first-semester tuition.
3. On arrival: the rent deposit (up to three months' cold rent), the first semester contribution, setup costs.
4. Second year: another year of living costs, from savings, family support, a loan or part-time work.

Read our blocked account guide and education loan guide.

Are public universities in Germany tuition-free?

Most are, for international students too: you pay only a semester contribution. But not all. Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 a semester at its public universities, and TUM in Bavaria charges most non-EU Master's students €4,000 or €6,000 a semester. Always check the fee on your programme's own page.

Our best universities guide explains TUM's tuition in more detail.

How much do APS, the visa and uni-assist cost?

From India, APS costs ₹18,000, the national visa fee is ₹8,300 (€75) for applicants over 18, and uni-assist charges €75 for the first programme and €30 for each extra one in a semester. IELTS costs ₹19,000. If APS asks you to take the dMAT, add €150. These one-time costs come to roughly ₹70,000 before flights.

See our guides to APS, uni-assist and the student visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 20 lakh enough for a Master's in Germany?

Usually not for the full two years. At a tuition-free university in an average city, our estimate is about ₹24 to 25 lakh. With part-time work during your studies, the amount you need from savings or a loan can be lower.

Can part-time work pay for my studies?

It can cover part of your living costs. At the 2026 minimum wage of €13.90 an hour, 20 hours a week earns about €1,200 a month before deductions. Do not plan your first months around a job.

Is the blocked account a fee?

No. The €11,904 is your own money, paid back to you at €992 a month. Only the provider's fees are a cost.

Sources

• European Central Bank: Euro reference rate for INR (27 October 2026)
• Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts: Tuition fees for international students
• TUM: Tuition fees for students from non-EU countries
• German Missions in India: Student checklist and blocked account amount
• German Missions in India: National visa fee
• uni-assist: Handling fees
• APS India (APS fee and dMAT)
• IDP IELTS India: Test fees
• Living costs: our cost of living guide, from WG-Gesucht and Moses Mendelssohn Institut data for Winter Semester 2026/27