What is the total cost of applying to study in Germany from India, including blocked account, APS, and visa fees?
The total mandatory cost is about 11 to 11.2 lakh rupees, roughly 12,138 euros, but the bulk of that is your own blocked account deposit which you get back monthly once in Germany. Your true non-refundable processing costs, covering APS, visa, and service fees, add up to around 27,800 rupees.
Do not let the 11 lakh rupee headline number worry you too much. Most of it is your own blocked account deposit, which is returned to you in monthly instalments once you land, and only a small slice is money you actually spend on processing fees.
Mandatory Cost Breakdown
| Item | Approx Cost |
|---|---|
| APS certificate | 160 euros (about 18,000 rupees) |
| Blocked account deposit | 11,904 euros (returned monthly) |
| Blocked account setup fee | 49 to 159 euros |
| Visa fee | 75 euros (about 8,100 rupees) |
| VFS service charge | 15 to 22 euros |
Extra Costs Many Students Miss
- A standardised admission test fee for select masters programmes in engineering, business, or economics, introduced recently for certain APS applicants
- Language test registration for IELTS, TOEFL, or a German proficiency exam, around 18,000 rupees
- Uni-Assist application processing, roughly 7,000 rupees for your first university and 3,000 rupees for each additional one
- Incoming travel health insurance to cover you before your German insurance starts, around 8,000 to 15,000 rupees
My Advice
Build your budget in two separate columns: your own blocked account money and your true out of pocket fees, so the total does not scare you unnecessarily. Start your APS certificate and language test bookings early, since these have longer processing windows than the visa fee itself and often decide whether you make your intake.
Cash income, business income or no ITR?
See whether your funds and documents will pass the German visa check.
More Student visa questions
- Is a loan sanction letter from the government regulated Indian Bank accepted for a UK student visa application?
- By when should my HEP point be completed, should it be this month to avoid delay in UK?
- Can I pursue an MBA abroad after completing a Bachelor of Science degree?
- Is it better to spend 12 lakhs in India or go abroad for higher studies in Germany for a Master's?
- Does the agency provide end-to-end services including visa, loan guidance, and accommodation?
- How do US universities evaluate Indian LLM applicants differently from UK or European law schools?
- What is the fee range for a one-year MBA course compared to a two-year course in UK?
- Do I need to show living expenses in my bank account for visa purposes, and can I withdraw it after reaching Ireland?
More Germany questions
- Other than Canada and Netherlands, are there better countries to study science and technology in Germany/Singapore?
- What are some effective online German language classes for Indian students preparing to study in Germany?
- Is Germany the best first priority country for my course and career scope for a Master's?
- Why is the dMAT subject module called Battery Science and Technology in Engineering?
- Is it possible to get a fully funded scholarship if he scores seven or above (seventy percent) in the third year in Germany?
- Does my 12th grade percentage affect my master's application in Germany/France for a Bachelor's?
- What are the three Core Module subtests in the dMAT exam, and what does each one actually ask you to do?
- Can an Indian student get a job in Germany after a master's without prior work experience, especially with good German skills?