From September 2024 onwards, all international students from non-European Union countries applying for a German student visa will have to prove to German authorities that can access €992 per month to support themselves – €11,904 a year.
Alma Miftari, Head of Research and Communication for Studying-in-Germany, the country’s largest information portal for international students, told Brussels Signal: “This move can help prevent financial hardships and ensure students can focus on their education without undue stress about their finances.”
The financial requirement for international students has seen periodic increases. The German authorities had increased the monthly amount during the winter semester of 2022/2023 from €861 to €934.
Unless they can show proof of income in another way, international students must make a single transfer of €11,904 into a blocked Bank account.
Throughout the year, students can withdraw a maximum of €992 per month from this account for their expenses, unless they deposit more than the required amount.
According to the Deutscher Akademischer Austaushchdients (DAAD) association of German institutions of higher education and their student bodies, on average a German student has expenses of €842 per month including rent, travel, food, clothing and learning materials.
Germany’s higher education system welcomed 458,201 international students during the 2022/2023 academic year, with the majority coming from India and China.
The new financial requirement has drawn some criticism.
“The new financial threshold likely will make it more challenging for students from non-EU countries to study in Germany. Some students may find it hard to meet the increased financial requirements, potentially leading to a decrease in applications from these countries” said Miftari.
Still, she acknowledged that the measure would better prepare those who can afford it to deal with the cost of living in Germany.
