Apply for a Residence Permit for Study Purposes
You want to study in Germany? The authority must grant you a residence permit if you meet the requirements.
At a glance
How do you get a residence permit for studying?
You want to complete a full-time degree at a state or state-recognised university in Germany? Then a residence permit is granted to you. The authority must grant it to you.
The residence permit also covers preparatory study measures. These include preparatory language courses if your university admission depends on them, and attendance at a Studienkolleg (a preparatory college for university entry). A residence permit may not be granted for an intensive language course in a foreign language such as English, even if the degree programme is offered only in that language.
The residence permit is generally granted and renewed for two years at a time. With this permit, you are allowed to work a total of 140 full working days per calendar year. Self-employed work as a secondary activity is also permitted.
You need at least €992.00 per month to cover your living costs — that is €11,904.00 per year (figure for 2026).
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You have an enrollment or a conditional admission to a full-time degree programme at a state or state-recognised university in Germany.
Additional requirements
- You must have at least €992.00 available per month (€11,904.00 per year, 2026 figure).
- You need adequate health insurance in Germany (statutory or comparable private insurance). A foreign health insurance policy is generally not sufficient.
- You must be registered in Berlin and have a current email address.
How to apply
Submit the online application for a residence permit for language and study purposes (at the earliest 4 months before your current residence title expires)
Pay the processing fee by credit card or PayPal before submitting
Save the application confirmation as a PDF — it certifies that your current residence title continues to remain valid
Wait for the review by the Landesamt für Einwanderung (State Immigration Office) and submit any additional documents if required
Attend your assigned in-person appointment with all original documents
Done! The authority must grant you the residence permit if you meet all the requirements
First-time issuance as a label (sticker)
- Renewal as a sticker49.00 EUR
- First issuance as an electronic residence title100.00 EUR
- Renewal as an electronic residence title93.00 EUR
- Turkish nationals up to 24 years of age (initial application and renewal)22.80 EUR
- Turkish nationals aged 24 and over (first application and renewal)37.00 EUR
- Digital passport photo at the self-service terminal6.00 EUR
Good to know
Your residence permit contains an ancillary provision. It expires automatically if you end your studies without obtaining a university degree. Therefore, plan in good time how to continue after your studies.
Die Aufenthaltserlaubnis ist mit der folgenden Nebenbestimmung zu erteilen: „AE erlischt mit der Beendigung des Studiums an einer staatlich anerkannten Hochschule ohne Hochschulabschluss".
VAB A.16b, S. 145-156
In exceptional cases, you may keep your residence permit even if you take a leave of absence from the university. This applies, for example, in cases of pregnancy or prolonged illness. The authority decides on a case-by-case basis.
In Ausnahmefällen kann zur Vermeidung einer besonderen Härte (z.B. bei Schwangerschaft oder längerer Erkrankung) auch im Falle der Beurlaubung von der Hochschule eine vorübergehende Fortsetzung des Aufenthalts mit Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 16b erlaubt werden
VAB A.16b, S. 145-156
Language courses, preparatory colleges, and internships before the studies do not count as subject semesters. This is important for calculating your permitted study duration. Only the actual semesters at the university are counted.
Bei der Berechnung der Fachsemesterzahl bleiben Zeiten der Studienvorbereitung (z.B. Sprachkurse, Studienkollegs, Praktika) außer Betracht.
VAB A.16b, S. 145-156
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Apply for a Residence Permit for Study Purposes
If your application is approved, you will receive an appointment. A residence permit as a sticker can be issued on site at the appointment. If issued as an electronic residence title (eAT), it takes 4 to 6 weeks until it can be collected.