🎓 Education in Germany

Kita · Schools · Universities · Degree recognition · Scholarships · Student visa

✓ Source: KMK & DAAD ✓ Anabin database verified Last checked: June 2026
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🧒 Kita (nursery) & schools

Kita — Kindertagesstätte (ages 1–6)

  • Who can apply — children from 1 year old
  • Cost — income-based fee; free in Berlin and some states
  • Apply early — waitlists can be 12–18 months in big cities
  • Kita-Gutschein — Berlin: apply at Jugendamt before age 1
  • Kitafinder — official search tool in Berlin: kitafinder.berlin.de
  • Hours — typically 7am–5pm; some offer extended care

School system overview

Grundschule
Primary school, ages 6–10
4 years in most states (6 in Berlin/Brandenburg)
Gymnasium
Academic track to Abitur
Ages 10–18/19, leads to university
Realschule
Middle track, ages 10–16
Leads to vocational training
Hauptschule
Practical track, ages 10–15
Leads to apprenticeship (Ausbildung)

🌍 International schools

For immigrant children needing English-language education or IB curriculum.

Berlin International School

→ Visit

European School

→ Visit

Willkommensklasse

Special integration classes for newly arrived children who don't yet speak German. Offered at most public schools. Contact local Schulamt (school authority).

🏛️ University application

Germany has 420+ universities. Most public university degrees are tuition-free (only a semester fee of €100–400).

Application process

  • Check if your degree is recognised (Anabin database)
  • Apply via uni-assist if required by the university
  • Submit by July 15 for winter semester (Oct start)
  • Submit by Jan 15 for summer semester (Apr start)
  • Prove German language (B2/C1 — DSH or TestDaF) or English (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • Pay uni-assist processing fee (~€75 first application)

Studienkolleg

If your school leaving certificate is not directly recognised, you may need to complete a 1-year preparatory course (Studienkolleg) before entering university.

  • Apply via the university's Studienkolleg
  • Entrance exam: Feststellungsprüfung
  • Language requirement: usually B2 German

uni-assist

Central application portal for international students applying to German universities.

→ uni-assist.de

DAAD

German Academic Exchange Service — find programmes, scholarships, and application guides.

→ daad.de

Hochschulkompass

Official database of all accredited German universities and degree programmes.

→ hochschulkompass.de

Anabin database

Check if your foreign school certificate or degree is recognised in Germany.

→ anabin.kmk.org

📋 Degree recognition (Anerkennung)

Without recognition, your foreign degree may not be accepted by employers or authorities in Germany. Start this process early — it can take 3–6 months.

Two types of recognition

Academic recognition

For continuing studies. Applied for at the university you want to attend. Assessed by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB).

Professional recognition

For regulated professions (doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers). Applied for at the relevant professional authority (Kammer) in your state.

Timeline

  • Week 1–2 — Gather documents, get certified translations
  • Week 3 — Submit application to relevant authority
  • Month 1–3 — Authority review period (by law max 4 months)
  • Month 3–4 — Decision: full/partial recognition or denial
  • If partial — may need to complete additional courses or exams

Anabin database

Check recognition status of your specific degree and country.

→ anabin.kmk.org

BQ Portal

Recognition portal for foreign vocational and professional qualifications.

→ bq-portal.de

Make it in Germany

Official recognition guide from the German government.

→ make-it-in-germany.com

IQ Netzwerk

Free advice on recognition. 16 regional offices across Germany.

→ netzwerk-iq.de

💰 Scholarships & funding

DAAD Scholarships

Germany's main scholarship provider. Hundreds of programmes for international students at all levels.

→ daad.de/stipendien

Deutschlandstipendium

€300/month for top students. Apply through your university. Half funded by private sponsors.

→ deutschlandstipendium.de

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

€934/month for outstanding students. Strong focus on political science, law, economics.

→ kas.de

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

€934/month. Focus on ecology, democracy, feminism. Green party affiliated.

→ boell.de

Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung

For progressive students with social commitment. €934/month.

→ rosalux.de

BAföG (student finance)

Need-based student finance loan (partially non-repayable) for students living in Germany. EU citizens and some non-EU eligible.

→ bafög.de

🛂 Student visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zum Studium)

EU/EEA citizens do not need a visa. Non-EU students must apply for a student visa before arriving or a student residence permit after arrival.

Required documents

  • Valid passport (at least 6 months validity beyond course end)
  • University admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid)
  • Proof of financial means (€934/month × months of study — blocked account or scholarship)
  • Health insurance confirmation (valid in Germany)
  • Proof of German or English language level
  • Biometric passport photos
  • Completed visa application form
  • Application fee (€75)

Fintiba / Deutsche Bank blocked account

You need to show you can support yourself. Most students use a blocked account (Sperrkonto) which releases monthly payments.

Fintiba

→ fintiba.com

Expatrio

→ expatrio.com

After arrival

  • Register (Anmeldung) within 2 weeks
  • Enrol at university and get student ID
  • Apply for student Aufenthaltserlaubnis at Ausländerbehörde
  • Open German bank account
  • Get German health insurance (TK, AOK etc.)

BAMF — Student residence permit

Official guide to the student Aufenthaltserlaubnis (§16b AufenthG).

→ bamf.de
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