Tuition fees for international students

Please note that this list is only a brief summary. You can find out what evidence is required for each reason in the application form under “Submitting an application”.

1. Foreign nationals who have obtained their university entrance qualification in Germany, but not at a preparatory college (Studienkolleg) (Section 3 (2) LHGebG)
2. Family members (spouses, children) of EU/EEA nationals in accordance with Section 3 of the Freedom of Movement Act (Freizügigkeitsgesetz/EU). § 5 (1) No. 1 LHGebG
3. Foreigners with a settlement permit or permanent residence permit/EU permit in accordance with the Residence Act. § 5 (1) No. 2 LHGebG
4. Foreign nationals with permanent residence in Germany and a residence permit for reasons of international law, humanitarian, political, family or other reasons with good prospects of remaining (e.g. persons entitled to asylum, refugees recognised in Germany under the Geneva Refugee Convention or in the case of family reunification with Germans or foreign nationals with a settlement permit). Section 5 (1) No. 3 LHGebG
5. Foreign nationals who have their permanent residence in Germany and hold a residence permit in accordance with Section 25 (3) or (4) sentence 2 or (5) or Section 31 of the Residence Act or, as the spouse, civil partner or child of a foreign national with a residence permit in accordance with Sections 30, 32 to 34 and 36a of the Residence Act (AufenthG) and have been residing in Germany legally, with permission or on a tolerated basis for at least 15 months without interruption. (Section 5 (1) No. 6 LHGebG)
6. Tolerated foreigners (Section 60a of the Residence Act) who have their permanent residence in Germany and have been residing in the federal territory legally, with permission or with toleration for at least 15 months without interruption. (Section 5 (1) No. 7 of the Local Government Fees Act)
7. Foreign nationals who have resided in Germany for 5 years and have been legally employed. Proof must be provided of at least 60 months in which the maximum BAföG rate valid at the time +20% was achieved. Minor employment may not be taken into account. Detailed information can be found in the application form (§ 5 (1) No. 8 LHGebG)
8. Foreign nationals at least one of whose parents has resided in Germany for a total of 3 years during the last 6 years prior to the start of their studies and has been legally employed. Proof must be provided that the maximum BAföG rate + 20% applicable in the month in question was achieved for at least 36 months. Marginal employment may not be taken into account here. Detailed information can be found in the application form (§ 5 (1) No. 9 LHGebG)
9. Foreign nationals who have completed a bachelor’s and master’s degree programme or a state examination or diploma programme in Germany (Section 5 (1) No. 10 LHGebG). However, a second degree fee is charged in accordance with Section 8 (1) LHGebG
10. Students with a disability that significantly impedes their studies in accordance with Section 2 SGB IX. Section 6 (7) LHGebG
11. Foreign nationals with a residence permit (§55, para. 1 AsylG) and citizenship of a country with so-called good prospects of remaining (as of 12 February 2026: Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, Eritrea, Yemen, Sudan)
12. Doctoral candidates
13. Erasmus students
14. International students who are enrolled under agreements at state, federal or international level that guarantee exemption from fees (cf. Section 6 (1) sentence 1 LHGebG).
15. International short-term students who are enrolled as part of an exchange programme between the University of Freiburg and a partner university that provides for mutual exemption from fees.
    Note: So-called freemovers, i.e. students who spend a self-organised short-term study period at the University of Freiburg outside of an exchange programme, are required to pay fees.
16. International short-term students who are enrolled as part of an exchange programme between the University of Freiburg and a partner university that provides for mutual exemption from fees.
    Students participating in university cooperation programmes at state, federal or international level that do not require fees to be paid. Students in international cooperation programmes that require compulsory study periods at a partner university and lead to a joint degree or a degree from each of the participating universities are also exempt from fees.

Application

The following students may be exempted from international tuition fees:

1. Students on leave of absence, provided that the application for leave of absence was submitted before the start of the lecture period.

2. Students in a semester in which they are completing their practical year in accordance with Section 1 (2) sentence 1 number 1 of the Approbationsordnung für Ärzte (German Medical Licensing Regulations).  The application must be submitted before the start of the lecture period.

3. Students in a practical semester which, according to § 29 paragraph 3 sentence 2 LHG, is an integral part of the study regulations and the standard period of study. The application must be submitted before the start of the lecture period.

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  Application for exemption from fees for international students

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Please note: If you intend to complete a voluntary internship that is not an integral part of your study programme, you can only be exempted from tuition fees if you have applied for a semester of leave in good time.