Scholarships for International Students in Germany

Scholarships for International Students in Germany: Complete Guide

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Last Updated: August 2026

Quick Answer

Yes, international students can get scholarships in Germany, but most scholarships cover living costs, not tuition — because public universities usually charge little to no tuition fees. The real financial barrier is the cost of living, which is €11,904 per year (€992/month) for the German student visa blocked account. Scholarships from DAAD, political foundations, and the EU are widely available but competitive. DAAD is the largest provider, supporting 132,903 students and researchers in 2025 with a total budget of approximately €742 million.

Germany Scholarships at a Glance

Detail Information
Main funding bodies DAAD, Erasmus+, political foundations, university-specific awards
Blocked account requirement €11,904/year (€992/month) for student visa
DAAD scholars supported 132,903 in 2025
DAAD Master’s stipend €992/month
DAAD PhD stipend €1,400/month from February 2026
KAS Master’s stipend Up to €992/month
KAS PhD stipend Up to €1,400/month
English requirement No universal IELTS; depends on scholarship/programme/university

Why Germany Is Different: Free Tuition, Real Living Costs

Most German public universities charge little to no tuition fees for international students — a fundamental difference from the USA, UK, or Australia. But “free” study does not mean study is free. The German government requires international students to prove they can cover their living expenses, typically through a blocked account (Sperrkonto), before a student visa is issued.

Key facts for 2026:

  • Blocked account requirement: €11,904 per year (€992/month). This is the statutory amount set by the German Federal Foreign Office and applies to 2026.
  • This requirement means the central financial challenge for most international students is covering living costs, not tuition.
  • DAAD, the world’s largest scholarship organisation for international academic exchange, supported 132,903 students, graduates, researchers, and university staff in 2025, with a total budget of approximately €742 million.

Understanding this reality is crucial: scholarship applications for Germany must demonstrate how you will fund your living costs, not just your education.

Types of Scholarships for International Students in Germany

Scholarships in Germany come from three main sources:

Scholarship Type Who Funds It Key Characteristics
Government-Funded German Government (via DAAD), EU (Erasmus+) Largest and most comprehensive; typically cover living costs, health insurance, and sometimes travel.
University-Funded Individual German universities Less common than in the US/UK, but some universities offer merit-based stipends or tuition waivers.
Private / Organization-Funded Political foundations, religious organisations, corporate foundations Often tied to specific values, nationalities, or fields. Many provide generous monthly stipends.

Scholarships by Study Level

Undergraduate Scholarships

DAAD offers several undergraduate scholarship programmes, including study scholarships for international students from all fields. These typically require a strong academic record and may include a living stipend. Political foundations also fund undergraduates, though they often expect evidence of social or political engagement. Many undergraduate scholarships are tied to specific partner universities or exchange programmes.

Master’s Scholarships

This is where the most visible funding is concentrated. DAAD’s Study Scholarships for Foreign Graduates support master’s students across all disciplines. Political foundations like the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) offer generous stipends (currently up to €992/month for Master’s students). Erasmus+ also funds master’s study periods in Germany. The Expatrio Scholarship is a more accessible, video-submission-based award for admitted students.

PhD Scholarships

PhD funding in Germany is robust. DAAD offers doctoral research grants at €1,400/month from February 2026. Structured PhD programmes at German research institutes (Max Planck, Helmholtz, Leibniz, etc.) typically provide fully-funded positions. Political foundations also increase funding for doctoral candidates — KAS, for example, provides up to €1,400/month for PhD students for up to three years.

Top Scholarship Programmes for International Students

These programmes represent the most significant sources of funding. Always check the official website for up-to-date deadlines and eligibility criteria.

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)

The world’s largest scholarship organisation for international academic exchange. In 2025, it supported 132,903 students and researchers with a budget of approximately €742 million. Typical benefits include a monthly living stipend, health insurance, travel allowance, and sometimes a preparatory language course. Search the DAAD database at daad.de.

Erasmus+

The EU’s flagship programme supports study, training, and internships across Europe, including Germany. For international students outside the EU, Erasmus+ primarily funds exchange periods at German partner universities rather than full degrees. Scholarships are administered by your home university’s international office.

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS Foundation)

A political foundation awarding scholarships to international students with strong academic merit and social commitment. Master’s students receive up to €992/month, PhD students up to €1,400/month. German proficiency (B2 or higher) is often required. See kas.de.

Expatrio Scholarship

A smaller, accessible award for admitted international students in Germany, based on a short video submission. Prizes range up to a total of €15,000 across multiple winners. Worth including in a diversified funding strategy.

How to Apply for German Scholarships — Step by Step

  1. Start with the DAAD database. Use daad.de to search by country, study level, and field. It is the most comprehensive source.
  2. Check political foundation requirements early. Foundations like KAS, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, and Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung often require social/political involvement and German language skills (B2/C1).
  3. Prepare documents. Academic transcripts, CV, study plan/research proposal, letters of recommendation, and proof of language proficiency.
  4. Note the German language requirement. Many foundation-funded scholarships require B2+ German, even if your course is in English.
  5. Apply for university admission simultaneously. Many scholarships require a confirmed university place before funding is granted.
  6. Plan for the blocked account. If your scholarship doesn’t fully cover the €992/month requirement, you’ll need to open a blocked account for the difference.

Common Mistakes That Undermine German Scholarship Applications

  • Believing “tuition-free” means “cost-free.” The blocked account requires €11,904/year. Plan for living costs.
  • Starting scholarship research too late. DAAD and foundation deadlines often fall 12–18 months before your intended start date.
  • Ignoring German language requirements. Many foundation scholarships require B2 German even for English-taught courses.
  • Applying only to the biggest programmes. Smaller foundations and the Expatrio Scholarship can be more accessible.
  • Submitting a generic study plan. German scholarship committees expect a clear, specific argument for why you chose that university and programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a scholarship without speaking German?
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Yes, especially for English-taught master’s and PhD programmes. DAAD offers many English-medium scholarships. Political foundations, however, frequently require German language skills (B2/C1). Check each scholarship individually.
Can I get a scholarship in Germany without IELTS?
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Possibly. DAAD does not impose a universal IELTS requirement. You generally must prove proficiency in the language of instruction of your programme. The exact certificate, score, and accepted alternatives depend on the specific scholarship and the university’s admission requirements. Some universities accept Medium of Instruction certificates or alternative tests.
What is a blocked account (Sperrkonto)?
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A blocked account is a special bank account required for the German student visa. You deposit €11,904 for 2026, and can withdraw only €992 per month. Some scholarships that cover living costs can substitute for or reduce this requirement.
How competitive are DAAD scholarships?
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Very. DAAD receives tens of thousands of applications annually for its funded places. However, competition varies significantly across the 86+ programmes. Research your specific field’s odds and apply to multiple sources.
Do I need to pay back a scholarship?
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No. Legitimate scholarships in Germany are grants, not loans. No repayment is required. Be wary of any “scholarship” that asks for repayment or an application fee.
When should I start applying for German scholarships?
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Begin at least 12 months before your intended start date. Many DAAD and foundation deadlines fall in the autumn for programmes beginning the following October. Early preparation for language tests and recommendation letters is essential.

Official Resources

Disclaimer: Figures on blocked account requirements, DAAD budget and scholar numbers, and stipend amounts are sourced from official German government and DAAD publications as of August 2026. These figures change annually. Always confirm current amounts and requirements directly on official websites (daad.de, Make it in Germany, kas.de) before applying.


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