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Student Guide 2026

Student Loans in GermanyWithout Income: Your Financing Options

No part-time job, no savings, but you need to finance your studies? Germany has several ways to fund your education without any personal income. Most are government-backed and don't require a guarantor.

State funding first
Flexible repayment
International students welcome

Key takeaways

  • BAfoG is the cheapest option: 50% is a gift, the rest interest-free. Max EUR 992/month in 2026.
  • KfW-Studienkredit is open to all students, regardless of parents' income. Current rate: 6.53% effective (as of 1 April 2026, variable).
  • Bildungskredit for the final study phase: up to EUR 7,200 at 3.53% effective (as of 1 April 2026). Can be combined with BAfoG.
  • BAfoG + Kindergeld (EUR 259) = up to EUR 1,251/month. Enough for most students.
  • Private loans only as a last resort. Most require a guarantor or income proof.

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Important to know

Always check state funding first. BAfoG is by far the cheapest way to finance your studies. Half of it is literally free money. The other half is an interest-free loan. Only look into student loans if BAfoG doesn't cover your needs or you don't qualify.

BAfoG = 50% free
Max repayment: EUR 10,010

German terms you will encounter

BAfoG = Federal student aid (half grant, half loan)
Studienkredit = Student loan (must be repaid in full)
Bildungskredit = Education loan (government-backed, low interest)
Zuschuss = Grant (free money, no repayment)
Darlehen = Loan (must be repaid)
Rückzahlung = Repayment
Konditionsanfrage = Rate inquiry (Schufa-neutral, does not affect credit)
Sperrkonto = Blocked account (required for student visa)

Funding options compared

OptionInterest rateAmountRepayment
BAfoGState funding0%up to EUR 992/monthMax. EUR 10,010
KfW-StudienkreditState bank6.53% effectiveEUR 100-650/monthFull amount + interest
BildungskreditState-subsidized3.53% effectiveup to EUR 7,200Full amount + interest
Private student loansBanks4-10%variesFull amount + interest

As of 1 April 2026. The KfW-Studienkredit and Bildungskredit have variable rates adjusted every 6 months (1 April / 1 October). Source: KfW, Bundesverwaltungsamt.

BAfoG: The best deal you can get

BAfoG (German: Bundesausbildungsfoerderungsgesetz) is the most affordable study financing in Germany. The maximum rate in 2026 is EUR 992 per month (basic need EUR 475 + housing EUR 380 + health insurance EUR 137). If you live with your parents, the maximum is EUR 664. Half of what you receive is a gift. The other half is an interest-free loan with a repayment cap.

Benefits

  • •50% is a grant (free, no repayment)
  • •50% is an interest-free loan
  • •Repayment starts 5 years after graduation
  • •Repayment capped at EUR 10,010 (77 installments of EUR 130)

Requirements

  • •German citizenship or qualifying residence rights
  • •Under 45 years at start of studies
  • •Parents' income below the threshold
  • •Enrolled at a state-recognized university

Example calculation

You receive EUR 800/month BAfoG for 5 years = EUR 48,000 total. Of that, EUR 24,000 is a gift. You repay a maximum of EUR 10,010 (77 monthly installments of EUR 130). The remaining EUR 37,990 is yours to keep.

KfW-Studienkredit: Open to everyone

The KfW-Studienkredit is a government-backed loan from Germany's development bank (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau). Unlike BAfoG, it's available to all students regardless of parents' income. The catch? You have to repay everything, including interest. And those rates are not exactly low right now.

Terms (as of 1 April 2026)

  • EUR 100 to 650 monthly disbursement
  • Variable rate: 6.53% effective annual rate (tied to the 6-month Euribor)
  • No collateral, no guarantor needed
  • Grace period: 6-23 months after studies
  • Up to 25 years to repay

Watch out for

  • •Full repayment including interest
  • •Variable rates can go up
  • •Age limit: 18-44 years
  • •Max 14 semesters of funding
  • •Academic progress proof needed from semester 6

Bildungskredit: For the final stretch

The Bildungskredit (German: education loan) is a government program managed by the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA) and disbursed by KfW. It targets students in the final phase of their studies and can be combined with BAfoG. The interest rate is lower than the KfW-Studienkredit.

At a glance

  • Up to EUR 7,200 (EUR 300/month for 24 months)
  • Interest: 3.53% effective (3.57% nominal, as of 1 April 2026)
  • No collateral needed
  • Repayment starts 4 years after first disbursement
  • Combinable with BAfoG and KfW
  • Age: 18-36 years

The Bildungskredit has a variable rate adjusted every 6 months. Source: Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA), KfW.

Compare private loan offers

If state funding is not enough, compare private loan options here. Without income, you will usually need a guarantor or co-signer for private loans.

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Options for international students

Your financing options depend on where you come from and your residence status. The good news: the KfW-Studienkredit is available to everyone enrolled at a German university, regardless of nationality.

EU citizens

  • BAfoG eligible with permanent residence or after 5 years
  • KfW-Studienkredit: yes
  • Bildungskredit: yes
  • Schufa builds automatically with a bank account

Non-EU citizens

  • KfW-Studienkredit: yes (student visa + enrollment)
  • DAAD scholarships for academic excellence
  • Prodigy Finance / MPower (no co-signer, postgrad)
  • Private German bank loans usually require a guarantor

Tip for international students

Start with the KfW-Studienkredit. You need: a valid student visa, enrollment at a German university, and a German bank account. You can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year alongside your studies.

What happens if you drop out?

Worth thinking about before you sign up for any loan. The consequences vary by type:

BAfoG

Only the amount received until dropout counts. Repayment stays capped at EUR 10,010. No extra risk.

KfW-Studienkredit

Disbursement stops immediately. Grace period begins (6-23 months), then you repay the full amount plus interest. With EUR 30,000 in loans, this can be a serious financial burden.

Bildungskredit

Regular repayment schedule starts 4 years after first disbursement. Lower risk because the maximum amount (EUR 7,200) is relatively small.

Working while studying

More than 60% of students in Germany work alongside their studies. Earning your own income improves your creditworthiness (Schufa) and may reduce the loan amount you need.

Werkstudent (working student)

  • Up to 20 hours/week during semester
  • Around EUR 1,000/month
  • Reduced social security contributions

Minijob

  • Up to EUR 538/month tax-free (2026)
  • Does not count against BAfoG (up to EUR 520 gross)
  • Good for building Schufa history

International students on a student visa: you can work 120 full days or 240 half days per year. Werkstudent positions count against this limit during semester but are unrestricted during semester breaks.

Cost reality check: What do students actually need?

Average monthly costs (2026)

Rent (shared flat)EUR 350-500
Food & groceriesEUR 200-300
Health insurance (GKV student rate)~EUR 120
Phone & internetEUR 30-50
Semester fees (monthly)~EUR 50
Total:EUR 750-1,020/month

Financing math

BAfoG max (EUR 992) + Kindergeld (EUR 259) = EUR 1,251/month. That covers expenses in most German cities. You would only need a student loan on top in expensive cities like Munich, Hamburg, or Frankfurt, or if you don't get full BAfoG.

Frequently asked questions

Can students without income get a loan in Germany?
Yes. BAfoG, KfW-Studienkredit, and Bildungskredit are designed for students without income. For private loans, you usually need a guarantor or co-signer.
What is the maximum BAfoG in 2026?
EUR 992/month (basic EUR 475 + housing EUR 380 + insurance EUR 137). Living with parents: max EUR 664. An increase of the housing allowance to EUR 440 is planned for winter semester 2026/27 but not yet finalized.
Which student loan is cheapest?
1. BAfoG (50% free, rest interest-free). 2. Bildungskredit (3.53% effective). 3. KfW-Studienkredit (6.53% effective). 4. Private loans (4-10%).
What happens if I drop out?
BAfoG: repayment stays capped at EUR 10,010. KfW: disbursement stops, grace period begins, full repayment including interest required. Bildungskredit: normal repayment 4 years after first disbursement.
Can I get KfW and BAfoG at the same time?
Yes. The KfW-Studienkredit is independent from BAfoG and does not affect your BAfoG amount. Bildungskredit is also combinable with both.
Do I need a guarantor?
BAfoG and Bildungskredit: no. KfW-Studienkredit: no. Private bank loans: usually yes, without income. This is why state programs should be your first choice.
Can international students get loans?
EU citizens can access BAfoG under certain conditions. KfW-Studienkredit is open to all students at German universities. Non-EU students can also explore Prodigy Finance or MPower Financing. More in our loans for foreigners guide.
What is a blocked account (Sperrkonto)?
A blocked account is required for your student visa. You deposit about EUR 11,904 (2026) and get monthly payouts of EUR 992. This is separate from student loans but covers living expenses. Expatrio and Fintiba are popular providers.
Does a student loan affect my Schufa?
KfW-Studienkredit is recorded in Schufa but does not hurt your score as long as you repay on time. BAfoG loans are not reported to Schufa. Rate inquiries through comparison portals are Schufa-neutral.

Related guides

Loan comparison

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Schufa explained

Germany's credit scoring system

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Low-income loans

Understanding garnishment limits

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Blocked account (Sperrkonto)

The visa deposit explained for 2026

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Credit cards

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Sources & method

The conditions in this guide come directly from the funding bodies and are reviewed at each rate-adjustment date (1 April / 1 October). Interest rates as of 1 April 2026.

  • KfW – KfW-Studienkredit (174) and Bildungskredit (173), current interest rates (as of 1 April 2026)
  • Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA) – the German federal Bildungskredit program
  • BAfoG / BMBF (bafög.de) – 2026 maximum rate (EUR 992) and repayment rules
  • Finanztip – 2026 BAfoG overview and the planned housing-allowance increase
  • Deutsche Bundesbank – average consumer-loan rates as a benchmark (1 to 5 years: around 6.95%, as of April 2026)

Note: the KfW-Studienkredit and Bildungskredit rates are variable and can change every six months. Always check the current conditions with the relevant funding body before applying. This guide does not replace individual advice.

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