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Is loan eligibility possible if my salary is paid in cash in Germany?

22 Jul 2026 · Answered by Pallavi Attri · 1 min read
Pallavi Attri
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It depends. Getting a student loan in Germany with a cash salary is difficult because most lenders require formal proof of income, such as bank statements or salary slips from a registered employer.

- Some lenders may accept alternative documents like income tax returns or Form 16 if you are self-employed.
- The KfW Student Loan is available to students at recognized German universities and does not require proof of income or collateral, but has specific eligibility criteria.

If your income is only in cash, your options may be limited.

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