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How to Study in Germany for Free? Know All the Details

Do you know that you can study in Germany for free? Yes, the education in Germany is mostly free. Several German universities offer quality education at zero or low cost. Thus, this blog will talk about how to study in Germany for free being an International student.

Study in Germany for Free 2025-26| Gradding.com

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Top Universities to Study in Germany for Free

Germany is home to some of the world’s top universities and many of them are completely tuition-free. These universities offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees that are taught in English. However, you can use our university finder in Germany tool to find a suitable college or institute as per your needs and preferences. Now given below is the list of free universities in Germany to study in 2025-26.

Also Read: Masters in Germany for Indian Students

University of Cologne

The University of Cologne belongs to the top 200 universities in the world and the top 100 universities in Europe. It has a wide range of subjects including Business management, engineering and technology, humanities and law.

Eligibility Requirements for the University

  • English Proficiency Exams: IELTS- 7.0 (minimum), TOEFL, 95 (minimum), PTE 76 (minimum)
  • Documents Required: School leaving certificate, Transcript of Records and Letter of Motivation

Ludwig Maximillians University Munich (LMU)

Ludwig Maximilian University Munich is one of the public universities in Germany for students to study. It has outstanding research with several courses for both UG and PG students.

Eligibility Requirements for the University

  • English Proficiency Exams: IELTS, 6.5-7.0 (minimum), TOEFL, 72-95 (minimum)
  • German Language Proficiency: DSH, (level 2), TestDaF (level 4), Goethe Certificate (C2 in German)
  • Documents Required: CV, Copy of Passport, Completed application form and Financial documents

Goethe University Frankfurt

One of the free universities in Germany is Goethe University Frankfurt. With an acceptance rate of around 77%, this university is selective for admissions of international students.

Eligibility Requirements for the University

  • English Language Proficiency: IELTS, (above 5.5), TOEFL, (above 87), or other bachelor’s thesis in English.
  • Documents Required: CV, Transcript of Records, Motivation of Letter, Identity document copy

RWTH Aachen University

Study in Germany for free at RWTH Aachen University. This university is extremely competitive to get into and has an acceptance rate of 10% only. However, in the academic year of 2023, the university enrolled a total of 8,363 students.

Eligibility Requirements for the University

  • English Language Proficiency: IELTS, (above 5.5), TOEFL, (90 minimum)
  • German Language Requirements: C-1 level in German
  • Documents Required: Health insurance, Financial documents, Visa

University of Munster

University of Munster is one of the tuition free universities in Germany. It ranks at 367th position in QS World University Rankings 2025. However, students are not required to pay the tuition fees, only the “semester fee” for student-related services.

Eligibility Requirements for the University

  • English Proficiency Exams: IELTS, (6.0 minimum), TOEFL, (83 minimum)
  • German Language Requirements: DSH-3 certificate, Goethe certificate C2 (minimum total score of 82%), TestDaF- Level 5 in all skill areas
  • Documents Required: Academic records, Passport, CV, Financial support, Health Insurance

Suggested Read: Nurse Salary in Germany

Ruhr University Bochum

Study in Germany for free at the Ruhr University Bochum. It is ranked 389 in the Best global universities. However, there are no tuition fees to pay, but each student must pay a contribution fee of €350 per semester.

Eligibility Requirements for the University

  • English Proficiency Exams: IELTS, 6.0 (minimum), TOEFL iBT, 79 (minimum)
  • German Language Requirements: TestDaF, DSH, ZOP
  • Documents Required: Academic Transcripts, Resume, Letters of Recommendation, and Personal Statement

University of Duisburg-Essen

You can have free study in Germany at the University of Duisburg-Essen. It is ranked 306 in Best Global Universities. There are no tuition fees for this university for international students.

Eligibility Requirements for the University

  • English Proficiency Exams: IELTS, (6.0 minimum), TOEFL iBT, (80 minimum)
  • German Language Proficiency: B1 level letter
  • Documents Required: Passport photograph, Application form, Letter of acceptance, Proof of health insurance

Universitat Hamburg

To obtain Germany free education, get enrolled on the Universitat Hamburg. However, the acceptance rate of the university is 24% thus it is quite difficult and competitive for students.

Eligibility Requirements for the University

  • English Proficiency Exams: IELTS, (5.0-6.5 minimum), TOEFL iBT, (78-90 minimum)
  • German Language Requirements: TestDaF Level 3, TELC language certificate C1 and C2
  • Documents Required: School leaving certificate, Copy of passport, Letter of Recommendations, Financial documents

FAU Erlangen- Nurnberg

Study in Germany for free at the FAU Erlangen- Nurnberg University. It is one of the top public universities in Germany, ranked at 224 in QS World University Rankings 2025.

Eligibility Requirements for the University

  • English Proficiency Exams: IELTS, 5.0 (minimum), TOEFL iBT, (85 minimum)
  • German Language Requirements: DSH Level 2, TestDaF Level 4
  • Documents Required: Valid passport, Approved application, Proof of financial resources, Health insurance, Letter of Motivation

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

To get afree education in Germany, the Technical University of Munich is one of the best options for international students. However, the acceptance rate of the university is 8% so it is very competitive for students.

Eligibility Requirements for the University

  • English Proficiency Exams: IELTS, (6.5 minimum), TOEFL iBT (88 minimum), PTE, (65 minimum)
  • German Language Requirements: TestDaF, Level 4 in all sections, DSH and DSD Level B2
  • Documents Required: Letters of Recommendations, Letter of Motivation, Academic Background

Overall, these are the universities to study in Germany for freebeing an international student. The next section will talk about the admission and visa process to study in German free universities.

Study in Public Universities in Germany

Admission & Visa Process to Study in German Free Universities

If you are willing to study in Germany then you must know the following steps for getting enrolled in German free universities. However, it is also important to know the process earlier to avoid any type of mistake. Thus, look at the below-given steps for getting free education in Germany 2025-26.

Step 1: Research and shortlist the course and university you want to study in Germany. However, use our course finder for Germany tool to find a suitable course.

Step 2: Once you have selected the college and course, you will need to meet some specific requirements to get free study in Germany. However, the requirements vary from university to university.

Step 3: Gather all the documents you will need for the university and program so that you don’t miss out on anything.

Step 4: Apply online directly on the site of the university. Pay the processing fee and submit your application.

Step 5: To get free education in Germany, apply for a Germany Student Visa. Also, verify all your documents before applying for a visa.

Step 6: Now you are all set to fly to Germany.

These are the steps for having education free in Germany an international students.

Must Read: German Language Certifications

CEFR German Language Levels

Conclusion

To conclude, we discussed the universities to study in Germany for free, along with the admission and visa process. However, this blog has helped students to understand the eligibility requirements for the top 10 universities. Thus, if you are a student who is willing to study abroad in Germany then you have landed on the right page! Connect with our study abroad consultants at Gradding.com and convert your dreams into reality.

FAQs

1. Is Education Free in Germany?

Yes, there is free study in Germany. Students have to pay only for living expenses, which is relatively affordable in Germany. This is the reason why students get attracted from all over the world at a fraction of the cost.

2. Is IELTS Required for Germany?

Yes, the IELTS exam is necessary to take for applying for a German student visa. The required IELTS score for Germany is between 6.5 and 7.0

3. How Can I Apply to German Universities?

You can apply directly to the free universities in Germany at the international office. However, you can use the website that is run by the German Academic Exchange Services, although not all the universities use this.

4. How Much Does It Cost to Live In Germany as a Student?

The cost of living in Germany for international students ranges from INR 88,000 to INR 1.3L per month. This includes expenses like rent, food, transportation, and other living costs.

5. Can I Work While Studying in Germany?

Yes, you can work while studying in Germany. However, for the EU nationals, the limit is 20 hours per week during the summer semester.

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