The short answer
Students from African countries need a national (type D) German student visa. The core requirements are a university admission, proof of funds via a blocked account holding €11,904 (released ~€992/month after arrival), German-recognised health insurance, and — for some countries — an APS certificate (confirm with your embassy). Start a few months early, especially for the October intake.
To study in Germany, students from African countries need a national (type D) student visa, applied for at the German mission before you travel. The process is well-defined, and the single most important piece is proving your funds through a blocked account. This guide walks the requirements and steps, with the official figures labelled — verify them on German government sources before you lodge.
What you need for a German student visa
The visa follows your university admission. Once you have an offer, you assemble proof of funds, health insurance and documents, then apply at the German embassy or its visa partner. The figures below are set by the German government.
- Blocked account (Sperrkonto)Proof of living funds for 12 months; released to you at about €992/month after you arrive.€11,904
- Health insuranceValid German-recognised cover is mandatory for the visa and enrolment.Required
- University admission (offer / Zulassung)An offer from a recognised German university for your programme.Required
- Visa application feeNational (type D) visa — confirm the current fee with your German mission.~€75
Financial requirement, health-insurance and visa rules set by the German Federal Foreign Office; figures current for 2026 but verify on official sources before applying.
The blocked account (Sperrkonto), explained
This is the part students most often ask about. You open a blocked account with a recognised provider and deposit €11,904 — the government’s estimate of one year’s living costs. The money is “blocked” until you arrive, then released to you monthly (about €992) to live on. It is your money, not a fee, and it’s the standard way to prove financial capacity. A scholarship or a formal sponsor’s declaration can be used instead in some cases.
Do you need an APS certificate?
Some countries require an APS certificate (an academic verification of your qualifications) before the visa — this applies to applicants from certain countries and the list changes. Confirm whether your country needs an APS with the German embassy or the APS office for your country before you start, because where it applies it takes several weeks and must be done early. Don’t rely on second-hand information here — check the official source for your nationality.
Start early — timing is everything. Between admission, opening a blocked account, health insurance, any APS step, and embassy appointment waits, the visa can take a few months. If you’re aiming for the October (winter) intake, begin as early as possible in the year; the smaller April (summer) intake is the alternative.
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Steps to apply
- Get your university admission for an English-taught programme (no German test needed — see our English-taught guide).
- Check if you need an APS certificate for your country, and start it early if so.
- Open a blocked account and deposit €11,904 (or arrange an accepted alternative).
- Take out German-recognised health insurance.
- Book and attend your visa appointment at the German embassy / visa partner with your documents and biometrics.
- Travel and enrol, then register locally and convert to a residence permit for students.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for a German student visa?
You must prove €11,904 for a year of living costs, usually via a blocked account (Sperrkonto) that releases about €992 a month after you arrive. That’s separate from tuition, and it’s your money to spend, not a fee. A scholarship or accepted sponsor’s declaration can substitute in some cases.
What is a blocked account?
A special account where you deposit the required €11,904 to show you can support yourself. The funds are locked until you arrive in Germany, then paid out to you monthly. It’s the standard proof-of-funds route for the student visa.
Do I need an APS certificate for Germany?
Some countries require an APS (academic verification) before the visa, and the list varies by nationality. Confirm whether yours does with the German embassy or the APS office for your country, and start it early — where it applies, it takes several weeks.
How long does the German student visa take?
Allow a few months once you have admission — the blocked account, health insurance, any APS step, and embassy appointment waits all take time. Start early, especially for the October intake.
Do I need German for the visa?
Not for an English-taught programme — the visa follows your admission and proof of funds. German-taught programmes (mostly at public universities) require German proficiency such as DSH or TestDaF.
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office — student visa, blocked account (€11,904) and financial proof. auswaertiges-amt.de
- Make-it-in-Germany — visa for studying, health insurance, requirements. make-it-in-germany.com
- DAAD — visa and enrolment requirements; APS by country. daad.de
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