Reviewed on March 3, 2026
Apply for a residence permit for studies
As a foreign student, you can study legally in Germany and even work alongside your studies.
At a glance
How do you get a residence permit for your studies in Germany?
Are you studying at a German university or do you want to study at one? Then, as a foreign student, you have a right to a residence permit. The authority must grant it to you. The requirement is enrolment or a conditional admission to a degree programme. You also have to have your main residence in Berlin. And you need at least 992.00 euros per month to secure your livelihood – that is 11,904.00 euros per year (as of 2026). You also need German statutory or equivalent private health insurance. A foreign health insurance is generally not enough.
The residence permit is normally valid for two years. After that, you can extend it. With the permit, you may work a total of 140 full working days per calendar year. As a sideline, you may also be self-employed.
The purpose of residence "studies" also includes preparatory measures for studies. This includes a preparatory language course if the university requires it as a condition for admission. It also includes attending a Studienkolleg (preparatory college) or a comparable institution. Important: For a pure intensive language course to learn a foreign language – for example English – you may not apply for a residence permit. This also applies if your desired degree programme is only offered in this foreign language.
This is how the procedure works: First submit the online application "Residence permit for language and study purposes". You can submit the application at the earliest 4 months before your current residence title expires. Upload your documents in PDF, JPG, JPEG or PNG format. The total file size may not exceed 100 MB. A single file may be a maximum of 7 MB. Before submitting, you have to pay the processing fee. This is possible by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or PayPal. At the end you''ll receive a PDF confirmation. This certifies that your current residence title remains valid beyond the previous expiry date. Caution: this does not apply if you hold a Schengen visa (C visa). Be sure to save the confirmation and, if possible, print it out. The State Office for Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung) will then review your application and contact you as soon as possible. If needed, the Landesamt für Einwanderung will request further documents. If your application is approved, you''ll get an in-person appointment.
Note: Citizens of certain countries under § 41 Aufenthaltsverordnung who entered the country less than 91 days ago and are applying for a residence permit for the first time may begin their studies or preparatory measures already during the ongoing procedure. However, gainful employment is not yet permitted during this time. Note: Does your spouse or your child live with you in Berlin and also need a residence permit? Then don''t submit a separate application for them. Enter your family members directly in your online application. The Landesamt für Einwanderung will then contact you about their residence permits.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You can apply for the residence permit if you have a study place at a German university — either an enrolment or a conditional admission to a degree programme.
Additional requirements
- You need sufficient money to support yourself: at least 992 euros per month (11,904 euros per year, as of 2026). You also have to be insured for health in Germany — either through statutory insurance or an equivalent private health insurance. A foreign health insurance is generally not enough.
- You must have your main residence in Berlin. A secondary residence is not enough.
- You need a current email address so the State Office for Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung) can reach you. Check your spam folder regularly as well.
- If you submit the application online, you must consent to electronic payment. You can pay by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or PayPal.
How to apply
Application for a residence permit for language and study purposes — only available online, at the earliest 4 months before your current residence title expires; be sure to save the PDF document you receive as confirmation and, if possible, also print it out.
Colour copies of the data pages of your passport (with photo and personal data)
Proof of health insurance in Germany: for statutory health insurance, the electronic health card (copy of front and back) or a current confirmation from the health insurer; for private health insurance, a certificate from the insurer about the scope and cost of the insurance under § 257 (2a) SGB V (please tell your insurer that you need the certificate for a residence title for studies).
Proof of your main residence in Berlin: registration confirmation (Meldebestätigung) or rental contract together with the landlord's move-in confirmation (Einzugsbestätigung)
Enrolment certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) or admission to studies
Initial issuance of the residence permit as a sticker
- Extension of the residence permit as a sticker49,00 EUR
- Initial issuance of the residence permit as an electronic residence title (eAT)100,00 EUR
- Extension of the residence permit as an electronic residence title (eAT)93,00 EUR
- Turkish nationals up to age 24 – initial issuance or extension27,60 EUR
- Turkish nationals aged 24 and over – initial issuance or extension46,00 EUR
- Creation of a digital passport photo at the on-site self-service terminal (additional)6,00 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 studies
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.
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