Germany is considered one of the premier countries with most students flocking to the country for their education needs at reasonable costs. The country’s public universities boasting of quality education, research and innovation, including a diverse curriculum, is available at relatively lower cost or even free. Most German public universities charge tuition fees to domestic and international students and since most of them do not charge any tuition fees it is evident that Germany falls among the list of countries where students flock to pursue their studies.
In 2025, the international students can still have the opportunities to enroll in these tuition-free degrees, which is only charged minimal administrative fee called semester contribution. In this article, let us find out more about the best 10 public universities in Germany for international students who study for free and some of the important things they should know about each university.
- Technical University of Munich (TUM)
TUM, which is the technical university of Munich has always been ranked among the best universities especially in the fields of engineering, technology and the natural sciences. TUM is known for its research productivity as well as strategic collaboration and it offers a milieu proactively translating ideas from academia to practice.
The students that are non-German will be able to enjoy English taught courses and practical learning opportunities due to affiliations to large firms. Even though all the international students are free-of-charge to attend classes, TUM has a small semester contribution fee of about € 150. This contribution provides for the administrative costs and grants the students some privileges with the public means of transport.
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München or LMU Munich is one of the leading universities in Germany that covers almost all the main disciplines. The university provides numerous programs in the sectors of humanities, social, natural sciences and medicine. The biggest emphasis is put on research at LMU Munich, which is why many candidates seek this university as a place where they will be able to engage in the advanced academic studies. Even though it is an international university it is possible to study at LMU Munich tuition-free with the only cost of the semester contribution estimated to be around €129. There is also the vital experience in an international setting with the appropriate cultural interchange personally felt at the university.
- Heidelberg University
Heidelberg University is the oldest University in Germany and it was started in the year 1386 and is one of the most Jarren known for its excellent performances in research and academics. One of the best universities in the humanities and natural sciences, the university provides its students with the necessary conditions for the study of foreign students and an exciting life.
For the EU students tuition is free while the non-EU students are charged a tuition fee of €1,500 per semester. Besides this fee all students shall pay semester contribution of € 171/semester. 80 which mainly includes the coverage of the administrative and student services. However, all these cost factors have not made Heidelberg to be very expensive as compared to other international universities.
- Humboldt University of Berlin
First, it is worth mentioning that Humboldt University of Berlin is situated in Germany’s capital; second, it is famous for its humanities, art and social sciences programs. As a university, it boasts of some of the most famous intellects in the world today and the inter-disciplinary nature of the program guarantees an all rounded education for its students. While tuition is free for the international students, each has to pay a semester contribution of approximately 315 dollars. Berlin as a city is quite charming and has a lot to offer for international students and is really rich in opportunities in different fields of employment.
- RWTH Aachen University
RWTH Aachen University is among the foremost universities in Europe with renowned programs in engineering, technology and applied sciences. The university is famous for its practical affiliations with organizations and offers its students several practicing sessions with industries to solve actual problems applying the theory learnt. Another factor that can be named due to which RWTH Aachen is the top choice for students, especially for engineers and scientists, it is the university’s focus on the development of business ideas and innovations. While there are no tuition fees for international students in most of the cases, students are expected to make a semester contribution of about 300 Euros in RWTH Aachen. This fee pays for administrative items and entitle students to a number of services and concessions.
- Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen
Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen started its activity in 1477 and is one of the oldest universities in Germany, which has always been focused on the humanities and sciences. The university is known for research activity and is situated in the beautiful town of Tübingen and therefore students from across the world apply for admission here.
For the non-EU students the tuition fee is € 1,500 per semester in addition to semester contribution of € 158. 30. However, these fees do not deter student from considering Tübingen as their study destination of choice because it is well known for its quality academic programs and conducting research friendly environment.
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is one of the largest comprehensive universities hospitals in Europe focus in medical and health sciences. It is well renowned for medical, research, and educational sections; it attracts students and researchers from all over the world.
It is, therefore, important to note that despite the fact that Charité does not charge any tuition fee especially for international students, they are supposed to make a semester contribution of about €315. This fee also allows the students to use the libraries and the public transport with some other privileges, services and facilities for the students.
- University of Freiburg
Freiburg University is a state university with excellent reputation in different fields of study including natural sciences, engineering, and humanistic studies. It is one of the oldest universities in Europe with a history of 590 years, thus, it has many advantages, such as interesting international atmosphere and many Bachelor and Master’s programs in English.
EU students pay nothing for their tuition but non-EU students have to pay € 1,500 for each semester. All the students pay €155 for their semester contribution. University of Freiburg offers an academically enriched ecosphere favorable to interdisciplinary and collaboration.
- University of Cologne
University of Cologne is one of the largest universities in Germany and provides a large number of areas of study in social sciences, humanities and natural sciences. The university is fully involved in research and has a large and active body of scholars from around the world to make it a haven for smart students interested quality education at an affordable cost. Since the university is public, international students are able to study without tuition fees at the University of Cologne at only pay a semester contribution of roughly 280€. This fee is for administrative purposes and allows students to avail the student discounted fare.
- University of Göttingen
University of Göttingen is one of the oldest universities of Germany and has tremendous reputation especially in the field of Natural Science and other Arts. One of the things that make it a popular international university is that it provides a large number of programs to its students in English and it has numerous links with universities across the globe. Although the university itself practices non tuition fee for the internationals, a semester contribution of about 370 euros is expected. This contribution gives information about the administrative services and also helps in obtaining different services for students such as transport.
FAQs
- Do German public universities charge tuition fees for international students?
Most public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees for international students, but some states, like Baden-Württemberg, impose a fee of around €1,500 per semester for non-EU students. - What are semester contributions in German universities?
Semester contributions are administrative fees that all students must pay. They typically range between €150 and €370 per semester and cover services like public transportation, student activities, and administrative costs. - Are there any programs taught in English at German public universities?
Yes, many public universities in Germany offer a wide range of English-taught programs, particularly at the Master’s and PhD levels. Some universities also offer undergraduate programs in English. - How much are living expenses for international students in Germany?
Living expenses for international students in Germany typically range from €850 to €1,200 per month, depending on the city and lifestyle. This includes accommodation, food, transportation, and other personal expenses. - Is health insurance mandatory for international students in Germany?
Yes, health insurance is mandatory for all international students studying in Germany. Students can choose between public and private health insurance options, with costs ranging from €80 to €160 per month.
Disclaimer
This article aims to introduce general information on public universities in Germany which are free or low-cost for international students and the 2025 prospects. As much as efforts have been made to make the information provided as accurate as possible the readers are advised to check with the official university Web sites and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for the most recent application date, criteria and fees. This means that the programs that are offered tuition free and basically semester contribution costs may also depend on certain universities and programs. Also, some of the German states include Baden-Württemberg where tuition fees are charged to the non-EU students. I found this as it is the responsibility of the prospective students to try and find out whether they qualify to join a certain university or program and also whether they have adequate cash to finance their studies in the institution. The information given here does not mean that one can get into the intended institution or secure a scholarship and should therefore be used as a guide and not as a facts.