---
title: "Germany Student permit requirements 2026: 2-year stay"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/student-16b/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Germany · Student

# Germany Student permit

**First stay:** 2 yrs

Residence permit for university studies (section 16b AufenthG)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Savings needed:** €992 a month ≈ $1,110 (Savings of about EUR 992 a month (≈ $1,110) · Monthly subsistence for studies including preparatory language courses under the Federal Foreign Office table (valid from 09/2025);. A fee of EUR 100 (≈ $110) · Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity. A fee of EUR 75 (≈ $84) · Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries.)
- **First stay:** 2 yrs (Valid generally two years at first issue and renewal, and not less than one year; shorter courses are covered for the length of the study.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.)
- **Family:** Family can join (The spouse can join if the marriage existed when the permit was issued and the stay will exceed one year; proof of simple German (A1) is required unless an exception applies.)

## Key facts

Student permit is a student route for Germany. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** €100 ≈ $110 · €75 ≈ $84
- **First stay:** 2 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

**Government fees: €100 ≈ $110 · €75 ≈ $84**

- EUR 100 (≈ $110) Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity.
- EUR 75 (≈ $84) Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries.

**Shown, not spent: ~€992/mo ≈ $1,110**

- EUR 992 a month (≈ $1,110) Monthly subsistence for studies including preparatory language courses under the Federal Foreign Office table (valid from 09/2025);.

**Renewal: Renewable**

Issued for two years at first and on renewal (at least one year); shorter for short courses. It is extended while you keep studying.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__16b.html)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

A settlement permit needs 5 years on a residence permit; study time counts at half toward that period.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__9.html)

**Citizenship: General rule: 5 years of residence**

Naturalisation needs 5 years of lawful habitual residence, but this permit type does not qualify you to apply (Section 10(1) no. 2), so you need a different residence title such as a work permit first.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stag/__10.html)

**Where to apply: From abroad**

Apply for a national visa at the German mission abroad; nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the UK and the US can enter visa-free and apply in Germany within 90 days.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__16b.html) [Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__41.html)

**Presence rules: Stay rule**

The residence permit expires if you leave Germany and do not return within six months, unless the authority sets a longer period.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__51.html)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Applications are made from outside Germany, not after arriving
- Needs a place at a school or university in Germany
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is a third-country national.
- The applicant is admitted by a state or recognised higher-education institution, or has a conditional admission.
- Proof of instruction-language skills is needed only if not already checked at admission.

#### What you must show and pay

- **Savings of about EUR 992 a month (≈ $1,110)** · Monthly subsistence for studies including preparatory language courses under the Federal Foreign Office table (valid from 09/2025);.
- **A fee of EUR 100 (≈ $110)** · Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity.
- **A fee of EUR 75 (≈ $84)** · Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries.

## When you become tax resident

How Germany decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **2 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** A continuous stay of more than six months counts as habitual abode from the start (section 9 AO), unless it is solely for a visit, recreation, cure or similar private purpose and lasts no longer than one year; a dwelling kept available for use creates a domicile (section 8 AO).
- **Foreign-source income:** Residents are taxed on worldwide income.

[All tax rules for Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

Permit for full-time study at a state or recognised higher-education institution after admission, including preparatory language courses, a Studienkolleg and mandatory internships; part-time study is possible under section 16b(5). (sources 1, 2, 3)

#### What you must show and pay

- Savings of about EUR 992 a month (≈ $1,110) · Monthly subsistence for studies including preparatory language courses under the Federal Foreign Office table (valid from 09/2025);. (source 2)
- A fee of EUR 100 (≈ $110) · Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity. (source 4)
- A fee of EUR 75 (≈ $84) · Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries. (source 5)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is a third-country national. (sources 1, 2)
- The applicant is admitted by a state or recognised higher-education institution, or has a conditional admission. (source 1)
- Proof of instruction-language skills is needed only if not already checked at admission. (source 1)

#### Stay

- Valid generally two years at first issue and renewal, and not less than one year; shorter courses are covered for the length of the study.
- Initial permitted stay: 24 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

Employment up to 140 working days per year, or 280 half days; student side jobs not counted.

#### Family

The spouse can join if the marriage existed when the permit was issued and the stay will exceed one year; proof of simple German (A1) is required unless an exception applies.

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [AufenthG section 16b studies](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__16b.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Visa Handbook (Visumhandbuch): subsistence table (valid from 09/2025), Opportunity Card (01/2025), Working Holiday (06/2026)](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/resource/blob/207816/5f5be4158ee61f51115a2a32e2885c67/visumhandbuch-data.pdf) · Federal Foreign Office · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV) section 41: privileged nationals who may obtain the residence title after entry](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__41.html) · Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de · checked 2026-10-12
4. [Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 45: fees for the residence permit, Blue Card EU and ICT card](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__45.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 46: fees for the visa](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__46.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
6. [AufenthG section 9: settlement permit](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__9.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (Gesetze im Internet) · checked 2026-10-10
7. [Nationality Act (StAG) section 10: naturalisation after lawful residence](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stag/__10.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
8. [AufenthG section 51: expiry of residence titles](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__51.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11

## Student permit and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Student permit | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-higher-ed-91/) Portugal | Needs income of €920+ a month ≈ $1,030 | 3 yr, renewable | Yes |
| [Internship permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/internship-residence/) Spain | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| [D3 study visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/d3-study-research/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | No |
| [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/study-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €10k+ a year ≈ $11k | – | Yes |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Student permit?

Savings of about EUR 992 a month (≈ $1,110). Monthly subsistence for studies including preparatory language courses under the Federal Foreign Office table (valid from 09/2025);. A fee of EUR 100 (≈ $110). Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity. A fee of EUR 75 (≈ $84). Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries.

### How long can I stay on the Student permit?

Valid generally two years at first issue and renewal, and not less than one year; shorter courses are covered for the length of the study.

### Can I work on the Student permit?

Employment up to 140 working days per year, or 280 half days; student side jobs not counted.

### Can I bring my family on the Student permit?

The spouse can join if the marriage existed when the permit was issued and the stay will exceed one year; proof of simple German (A1) is required unless an exception applies.

### Who can apply for the Student permit?

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Student permit lead to permanent residence in Germany?

Time on the Student permit counts toward permanent residence in Germany, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. The general rule for citizenship is 5 years of residence.

### How are Student permit holders taxed in Germany?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Student permit. The standard rules apply: Residents are taxed on worldwide income. The 2026 tariff is zero up to EUR12,348, (≈ $13,800) rising progressively to a 42% marginal rate from EUR69,879 (≈ $78,100) and 45% from EUR277,826 (≈ $310,000).

## More in Germany

[Opportunity Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/opportunity-card-job-search/) [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/working-holiday/) [Freelancer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/freelance-21-5/) [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/eu-blue-card/) [Intra-company transfer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/ict-card-19/) [Experienced professional permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/experienced-professional-19c2/) [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/researcher-18d/)

## Study visas elsewhere

[🇫🇷 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/student-residence/) [🇬🇧 Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/student-visa/) [🇳🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/student-residence/) [🇦🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/student/) [🇲🇪 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/student/) [🇲🇹 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/student/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 8 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [AufenthG section 16b studies](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__16b.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Visa Handbook (Visumhandbuch): subsistence table (valid from 09/2025), Opportunity Card (01/2025), Working Holiday (06/2026)](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/resource/blob/207816/5f5be4158ee61f51115a2a32e2885c67/visumhandbuch-data.pdf) · Federal Foreign Office · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV) section 41: privileged nationals who may obtain the residence title after entry](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__41.html) · Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de · checked 2026-10-12
4. [Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 45: fees for the residence permit, Blue Card EU and ICT card](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__45.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 46: fees for the visa](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__46.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
6. [AufenthG section 9: settlement permit](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__9.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (Gesetze im Internet) · checked 2026-10-10
7. [Nationality Act (StAG) section 10: naturalisation after lawful residence](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stag/__10.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
8. [AufenthG section 51: expiry of residence titles](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__51.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.