Germany tuition and semester fees: what Indian students should budget

The semester contribution every student pays

Germany is often described as free for university study, but every student pays something. DAAD lists a semester contribution that varies between institutions and is between EUR 100 and 350. It is paid at enrolment and again before every new semester, so it repeats for the whole course.

At Rs 106.31 for one euro on 23 October 2026, EUR 100 to 350 is about Rs 10,600 to Rs 37,200 per semester. It is a real recurring cost, so include it in the family budget even where there is no tuition. Rates will move, and your bank may use a different rate.

The contribution is not tuition. What it covers differs between institutions, so ask your university what is included before you compare one city's figure with another's. DAAD gives the range as EUR 100 to 350 and says it varies between institutions, so the figure your own university gives you is the one to budget from.

Baden-Wurttemberg: EUR 1,500 per semester

One state charges tuition to international students. DAAD says Baden-Wurttemberg charges non-EU citizens tuition of EUR 1,500 per semester. At the same rate, that is about Rs 1.6 lakh per semester, or about Rs 3.2 lakh for a year of two semesters.

This is a state rule, not a national one. If your university is in Baden-Wurttemberg, budget for it from the first semester. If it is in another state, read the next section and then confirm the position on the programme page, because rules can differ between states and can change between intakes. Ask the university to confirm the total for your course in writing.

Technical University of Munich fees

DAAD lists tuition at the Technical University of Munich from winter semester 2024/2025: EUR 2,000 or 3,000 per semester for bachelor's programmes, and EUR 4,000 or 6,000 per semester for master's programmes. The exact figure depends on the programme, so read the page for your own course.

At Rs 106.31 per euro, EUR 4,000 to 6,000 per semester is about Rs 4.3 to 6.4 lakh. This is one university's tuition, not a Germany-wide figure. Many public universities in other states do not charge tuition for international students, but the DAAD page does not list every state, so confirm on the programme page before you assume yours is free.

If a programme page mentions fees you do not understand, write to the university's international office and ask for the total for your intake in writing. Keep the reply with your other cost notes.

What a two year master's can cost in tuition

A two year master's is usually four semesters. At the TUM master's rates, four semesters come to EUR 16,000 to 24,000, about Rs 17 to 25.5 lakh in tuition alone at the 23 October 2026 rate. Add the semester contribution and living costs separately, because they are not included in that figure.

Living funds are a separate requirement with their own rules. Our living cost guide and the blocked account guide explain the EUR 11,904 per year figure. Keep tuition, the semester contribution and living funds as three separate lines in the family budget, so nothing is counted twice or missed.

Confirm on the programme page

Fees can differ by programme even inside one university, and rules can change between intakes. Before you accept an offer, read the programme page for the exact tuition and contribution, the payment dates and any exemptions. Write the figures down with the date you checked them, so the family works from one shared set of numbers.

Then test the full amount in the calculator. If the family pays part of the cost itself, read how margin money changes the loan and enter the amount you will actually borrow, not the full cost. The Germany guide brings costs, universities and application steps together in one place.

Germany tuition in short

DAAD lists a semester contribution of EUR 100 to 350 at every institution. Baden-Wurttemberg charges non-EU students EUR 1,500 per semester. TUM charges EUR 4,000 or 6,000 per semester for master's programmes, about Rs 17 to 25.5 lakh for a two year degree in tuition alone. Many other public universities charge no tuition for international students, but confirm on the programme page for your own course and intake. This is general information, not financial advice.

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