BAföG for students without German citizenship

BAföG is the state education grant in Germany. In many cases, non-German students are also entitled to it. The law links BAföG entitlement to nationality and, in particular, the student's residence status.

General requirements

In addition to the conditions described here under which foreign students can receive BAföG, the same rules apply to them as to Germans:

BAföG is available for initial education, i.e. a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. If you have already started or even completed a degree programme abroad, the BAföG office will check whether you are still entitled to funding
In addition, the age limit of 45 years at the start of the degree programme generally applies. Only in exceptional cases can a degree programme that was started after the age limit was exceeded still be funded.

There are only partial restrictions for foreign students in the area of funding for studying abroad.

We generally advise all foreign students to seek advicefrom the BAföG office so that we can examine your individual case.

An important note in advance:

Students who are only staying in Germany for the purpose of studying with a residence permit in accordance with Section 16 of the Residence Act are not entitled to BAföG unless they also fulfil one of the other requirements listed below.

EU citizens

There are various ways for EU citizens to receive BAföG. Citizens of Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland are treated in the same way as EU citizens.

BAföG entitlement via gainful employment in Germany

Citizens of other EU member states who are studying in Germany are generally entitled to BAföG education grants if they are employed alongside their studies. The background to this is the principle of free movement of labour that applies in the EU. Specifically, the following requirements must be met:

When applying for BAföG for the first time, the student must have already been gainfully employed in Germany for at least 10 weeks.
The employment must have lasted at least 12 hours per week on average over a month.
In order to maintain the BAföG entitlement, the student must continue to work to this extent during the entire course of study.

This rule also applies to students who are self-employed.
However, in order for you to be entitled to BAföG, it must only be a job that allows you to study full-time.

BAföG entitlement via permanent right of residence and other options

Students from EU member states also have the opportunity to receive educational support under other conditions. The entitlement arises either through a permanent right of residence, which is usually acquired after five years of permanent residence in Germany. You will need a permanent residence card to prove this.

The entitlement also arises through an employment relationship that is related to the content of the degree programme and that was taken up at least six months before the start of the degree programme.

Finally, EU citizens are also entitled to educational support if they have a so-called derived right to freedom of movement as the spouse, partner or child of an EU citizen.

Citizens of other countries

Foreign students who are not EU citizens or who do not have a derived right to freedom of movement may also be entitled to educational support under certain conditions.

Settlement permit

It is easiest for students who are in possession of a settlement permit. They fulfil the personal eligibility requirements based on their residence permit.

Residence permit + prospects of staying

Students who are in Germany with a residence permit may be entitled to educational support if they have prospects of staying in Germany.
This includes in particular persons who fulfil one of the following criteria:

The student is a recognised asylum seeker, recognised refugee or the residence permit was granted for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons.
The student is the spouse or partner of a German national.
The student has custody of a minor child with German citizenship.
The student is the spouse or partner or child of a foreigner with a settlement permit and has a residence permit in accordance with § 30 or §§ 32-34 of the Residence Act.

Residence permit + 15 months in Germany

Other foreign students with a residence permit are only eligible if they have also been in Germany legally and authorised for at least 15 months. This is the case, for example, with certain deportation bans or a tolerated stay permit.
In addition, there is an entitlement if the student has already been employed in Germany for five years before starting their studies OR one parent has been employed in Germany for a total of three years in the last six years before starting their studies.

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