'How to Move to Germany Through Education: University, Ausbildung,
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Moving to Germany through education is possible not only through university. Depending on your age, goals, and level of German, you may consider university, Ausbildung, a school program, or language courses. For most long-term options, applicants from third countries need a national visa D and proof of sufficient funding.
Education-based immigration paths:
- Admission to a German university or Studienkolleg.
- Vocational training through Ausbildung.
- School education, most often through an exchange program or a private school.
- Language courses in Germany.
1. University in Germany
German universities remain one of the clearest routes for educational immigration. Admission usually requires a recognized school-leaving certificate or prior degree, an appropriate language level, and a Zulassung, which is confirmation of admission. If your school education is not sufficient for direct admission, you often need a Studienkolleg.
Public universities in many federal states do not charge classic tuition fees, but there is almost always a Semesterbeitrag, a semester contribution. Its amount depends on the university and may include administrative costs, student services, and sometimes a transport ticket. Some federal states and specific programs may impose Studiengebühr for international students, so you need to check the amount on the website of the university you choose.
You can connect the topic in more detail with applying to a university in Germany.
Student visa and funding
For a student visa in 2026, the official benchmark for a blocked account is at least 11,904 euros. Instead of a Sperrkonto, a scholarship or a Verpflichtungserklärung may be accepted if the consulate allows that option.
Students with an appropriate Aufenthaltstitel may work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year, or up to 20 hours per week. This right does not replace the requirement to prove funding when applying for the visa.
2. Ausbildung: vocational education
Ausbildung is vocational training that leads to a German qualification. Finding a place in such training means obtaining an Ausbildungsplatz: for a duale Ausbildung, this is a contract with an employer; for a schulische Ausbildung, it is a place in a vocational school.
Related topic: Ausbildung in Germany.
There are two common scenarios:
- a visa or residence permit for vocational training under §16a AufenthG, when a place has already been found;
- a visa to search for an Ausbildung place under §17 AufenthG, if the applicant wants to come to Germany and look for an Ausbildungsplatz locally.
For the visa to search for an Ausbildung place, in 2026 Make it in Germany states these basic conditions: age up to 35, school education, German at B1 level, and proof of funds. This Aufenthaltstitel can allow up to 9 months for the search, permit work for up to 20 hours per week, and allow short trial jobs.
For a visa for an Ausbildung place that has already been secured, you must prove the specific training placement. German language skills are usually required, often at least B1, but employers and schools may ask for B2. If the training is paid, the salary may count as proof of funding. In 2026, for a company-based Ausbildung, living expenses are considered covered if the pay is at least 1,048 euros gross or 822 euros net per month. If the salary is lower, the missing amount is shown through a Sperrkonto or a Verpflichtungserklärung.
3. Studying at a German school
The school route is not suitable for everyone. If the parents already live legally in Germany, children usually attend a local German school, and this is not a separate educational migration route.
If both parents live outside Germany, obtaining a right of residence only because the child wants to study at a regular school is usually difficult. In practice, the following are considered more often:
- school exchange programs;
- private boarding schools;
- special cases where the school, guardianship, funding, and visa purpose are documented.
Before choosing this route, you need to separately check the requirements of the specific school, guardianship arrangements, insurance, housing, and visa rules for minors.
4. Language courses
Language courses can be short-term or long-term.
If the course lasts up to 90 days, a Schengen visa is often considered, if the applicant needs one. This option works for a short language trip, but it usually does not solve the issue of a long-term move.
If the goal is serious preparation for university admission, Studienkolleg, or academic study, a national residence option is usually required. For educational and preparatory programs, it is important to understand in advance whether you can move on to admission after the course without leaving Germany. That depends on the visa type, the purpose of stay, and the decision of the foreigners authority.
Related topics: language visa and Studienkolleg.
Which documents are usually needed for a study visa
The exact list depends on the country where you apply, the consulate, the type of study, and the applicant’s age. Usually, you prepare:
- the application form and a valid passport;
- Zulassung, Bewerbungsbestätigung, Studienplatzvormerkung, an Ausbildung contract, or other proof of the educational purpose;
- educational documents with translations;
- language certificates;
- a CV in tabular form;
- a motivation letter;
- health insurance;
- proof of funding: Sperrkonto, scholarship, Verpflichtungserklärung, or salary in the case of Ausbildung;
- for minors, parental consents, guardianship documents, and any additional confirmations required by the consulate.
For a visa D, the current list should always be checked on the website of the German mission or through the official application portal. Consular requirements may differ in details even when the legal basis is the same.
What to choose
| Goal | Most often suitable | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| Academic degree | University, Studienkolleg | Recognition of school certificate, language, Zulassung, 11,904 euros for 2026 |
| Practical profession | Ausbildung | Ausbildungsplatz, B1/B2, salary, §16a AufenthG |
| Search for an Ausbildung place | Visa under §17 AufenthG | Age, B1, school education, funding, period of up to 9 months |
| School education | Exchange or private school | Guardianship, school contract, visa purpose, funding |
| German preparation | Language courses | Duration, visa type, possibility of moving on to study afterwards |
Common mistakes
You should not choose a route based only on how easy it is to apply. University requires academic preparation, Ausbildung requires readiness to work and communicate in German, school requires complex arrangements for minors, and a language visa does not always turn into a long-term route.
The second mistake is relying on outdated amounts and document lists. Financial thresholds, consulate rules, insurance requirements, and online procedures change. Before applying, you need to verify the information with official sources.
The third mistake is assuming that part-time work will fully solve the money issue. For the visa, you first need to prove sufficient funding, and only after that can you plan work within the allowed limits.
