Ukrainian students in Germany with §24 Schutzstatus can enroll without a student visa, access BAföG, and skip the Sperrkonto. 9,914 Ukrainians study in Germany. Full guide with costs, timelines, and pathways.
Ukraine ranks 9th among all countries sending students to Germany: 9,914 Ukrainians studied in Germany in 2024/25, making up 2.6% of all international students. For Ukrainians already living in Germany with temporary protection status (Schutzstatus, §24 AufenthG), the path to Studienkolleg is dramatically simpler than for students from any other country: no student visa, no Sperrkonto required, and full BAföG eligibility from day one. Over 1.3 million Ukrainians now live in Germany — the largest Ukrainian diaspora outside Ukraine and Russia. If you are one of them, or if you are planning to come from Ukraine, this guide covers both paths in full: what documents you need, which Ukrainian qualifications are recognized, how the Schutzstatus changes everything, and what the real costs are.
Before anything else, establish which path applies to you. Everything — documents, visa, costs, timeline — differs fundamentally between the two groups.
Pathway A — Already in Germany with Schutzstatus (§24 AufenthG): You have a residence permit under §24 AufenthG. Your permit is automatically valid until March 4, 2027. You do not need a student visa. You do not need to open a Sperrkonto. You can apply to Studienkolleg the same way any EU resident would. BAföG is available to you from enrollment.
Pathway B — Applying from Ukraine or a third country: You are still in Ukraine or a neighbouring country and need to apply for a German student visa. The German Embassy in Kyiv is currently operating with limited visa services — long-stay student visas (Type D) are processed primarily through German missions in neighbouring countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Czechia). You need a Sperrkonto of 11,904 EUR. Timeline: 14–20 months from start to arrival.
Most of this guide applies to both pathways. Pathway-specific sections are clearly labelled.
For most Ukrainian school-leavers: yes. German universities use the anabin database to classify foreign certificates. The Ukrainian Атестат про повну загальну середню освіту (Atestat — certificate of complete general secondary education) is not rated as equivalent to the German Abitur. Direct bachelor’s admission is not possible with the Atestat alone.
Here is how anabin classifies Ukrainian qualifications:
| Ukrainian Qualification | anabin Classification | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Атестат (Atestat) alone | Not sufficient for direct entry | Studienkolleg required |
| Atestat + 1 year at KNU/KPI/LNU (H+) | Conditional entry possible | Studienkolleg or direct admission depending on grades |
| Atestat + 2 years at a recognized university | Stronger conditional entry | Direct admission at many universities |
| Completed bachelor’s or specialist’s degree | Full recognition at many universities | Direct admission to bachelor’s or master’s |
Ukraine has numerous universities listed in anabin with H+ status (highest recognition). Key examples:
If you completed one or two years at one of these institutions, check the anabin database to confirm your specific university’s status before planning your pathway.
Example: Olena from Kyiv completed the Atestat in 2022 and fled to Germany. With just the Atestat, she needed Studienkolleg. Her classmate Andriy had completed two years of civil engineering at KPI before leaving Ukraine in 2022 — he received conditional direct admission to TU Berlin and skipped Studienkolleg.
Ukrainian documents require specific handling. This affects everyone — both Pathway A and Pathway B students.
Ukraine is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. For documents issued before February 24, 2022, apostille stamps are normally required for official use abroad. For documents issued after that date, the situation is more complex: German authorities generally accept Ukrainian documents with a notarized German translation without requiring an apostille, given the circumstances of war. Confirm with your target Studienkolleg what they accept.
For Pathway A holders: your §24 residence permit document (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) replaces the visa requirement.
The ZAB issues official German degree evaluations (Bescheinigung über die Anerkennung). For Studienkolleg admission, a ZAB evaluation is not mandatory — Studienkollegs assess your documents themselves. However, if you later apply for direct university admission after passing the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP), some universities may request it. DAAD Ukraine maintains an advisory service on recognition questions.
If you hold a §24 AufenthG residence permit, you are in a uniquely favourable position compared to any other international student group.
Your existing §24 residence permit allows you to study in Germany. You do not need to apply for a separate student visa or change your residence status in order to enroll at a Studienkolleg. Your Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) just needs to be notified of the change to student status — this is an administrative update, not a new application.
Important: Once you formally enroll as a student, your legal basis for remaining in Germany shifts. You will no longer receive Bürgergeld (citizen’s benefit). However, BAföG replaces this as your financial support, and BAföG is often comparable or higher than Bürgergeld for students.
Since June 1, 2022, Ukrainians with §24 AufenthG status are eligible for BAföG on the same basis as German students. BAföG is a government grant/loan combination for students.
Key BAföG facts for Ukrainian Studienkolleg students:
This is one of the most significant financial advantages Ukrainian students have over students from any other non-EU country. A student from India or Vietnam must deposit 11,904 EUR in a blocked account before getting a visa. A Ukrainian with §24 status applies to Studienkolleg, gets admitted, and immediately applies for BAföG.
Students on §24 Schutzstatus do not need to open a Sperrkonto. BAföG eligibility serves as proof of financial means. If BAföG is not immediately approved, universities and Studienkollegs may accept a bank statement or other proof of financial resources on a case-by-case basis.
No. Enrolling at a Studienkolleg or university does not cause you to lose your §24 Schutzstatus. The protection status is independent of your educational activity. What changes is your financial support mechanism: from Bürgergeld to BAföG. Your Aufenthaltserlaubnis remains valid.
One practical note: if you travel back to Ukraine for extended periods (more than 3 months), this may affect your §24 status. Always check with your Ausländerbehörde before extended travel.
Example: Maryna came to Hamburg in March 2022. She has a §24 permit. In September 2025, she applied to Studienkolleg Hamburg. She did not need a visa. She applied for BAföG the day she received her admission letter and received 870 EUR/month. Her total out-of-pocket costs for Studienkolleg were essentially zero beyond living expenses.
If you are still in Ukraine or a third country and need to apply through the normal visa process, here is what to expect.
The German Embassy in Kyiv is operating but with limited consular services. As of 2025-2026, student visa (Type D) applications for people residing in Ukraine are processed primarily through neighbouring country embassies:
Apply at whichever is most accessible to you. Appointment wait times vary: 4–12 weeks depending on location and season.
This is a critical point. Ukraine is not on the APS list. You do not need an APS certificate. There is no special interview or document verification step beyond the standard visa process. Your documents are assessed directly by the Studienkolleg and the visa office.
This is a significant advantage over students from China, Vietnam, India, and other APS countries, who face months-long waits for an interview that Ukrainians simply do not need.
New applicants from Ukraine who do not yet hold a §24 permit need a Sperrkonto of 11,904 EUR (2026 requirement — 992 EUR × 12 months). This is the same as for all other non-EU students.
The Sperrkonto releases 992 EUR each month after arrival. In a city like Leipzig or Halle, your actual monthly expenses may be 750–900 EUR, so the Sperrkonto provides a small monthly surplus.
For the full Sperrkonto process, see our blocked account guide.
Processing time: Appointment wait 4–12 weeks + processing 4–8 weeks = 8–20 weeks total.
Most Studienkollegs require B1 German for admission. Some prioritize B2 applicants. Ukrainian native speakers have a moderate advantage over Asian students — Ukrainian and German share the same Cyrillic/Latin literacy structure in reverse, and Slavic grammar has some parallels to German grammar, particularly in case systems.
The Goethe-Institut Ukraine is based in Kyiv and maintains a network of 15 language learning centres across Ukraine. Operations have continued during the war, though in adapted form. Online courses are available for students who cannot attend in person.
Kyiv location: Volodymyrska Street 36, Kyiv 01034 The Goethe-Institut Ukraine also has partner centres in Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, and other cities.
Goethe-Zertifikat exams are available both in Ukraine and at Goethe-Institut locations across Germany and Europe. If you are already in Germany, you can take the exam locally.
If you are already in Germany with §24 status, you can prepare for and take language exams at any of the 13 Goethe-Institut locations in Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, etc.). Online preparation courses are also available. Some Studienkollegs offer their own German preparation courses for admitted students.
The DAAD regional office supports Ukrainian students through scholarships, advisory services, and academic exchange. DAAD scholarships specifically for Ukrainian students include:
For the full breakdown of German language levels and certificate options, see our German language requirements guide.
Example: Dmytro, already in Frankfurt with §24 status, enrolled at the Goethe-Institut Frankfurt for a B2 course. Six months later, he passed his Goethe-Zertifikat B2 and applied to the Studienkolleg an der Goethe-Universität Frankfurt — conveniently in the same city.
Costs differ dramatically depending on which pathway you are on.
| Item | EUR | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application costs (Studienkolleg) | 0–30 | Most charge no or minimal application fee |
| Language exam (Goethe B2) | ~230 | May be waived or subsidized |
| Health insurance | 0 or 120–150/month | GKV via BAföG usually covered |
| Rent | 300–550/month | Dorm preferred; apply early |
| BAföG income | +812–1,000/month | Offsets living costs |
| Sperrkonto | Not required | — |
| Student visa | Not required | — |
| Estimated net monthly cost | ~0–400 EUR | With BAföG covering most expenses |
| Item | EUR | UAH (approx., 1 EUR ≈ 45 UAH) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | 75 | ~3,375 |
| Sperrkonto deposit | 11,904 | ~535,680 |
| Flight (Kyiv/Rzeszów to Germany) | 100–300 | ~4,500–13,500 |
| First month’s rent deposit | 300–800 | ~13,500–36,000 |
| German course in Ukraine (A1–B1, Goethe) | ~400–600 | ~18,000–27,000 |
| Document translations (certified) | ~50–150 | ~2,250–6,750 |
| One-time total | ~12,800–13,800 | ~576,000–621,000 |
| Item | EUR/month |
|---|---|
| Rent (dorm or shared flat) | 300–550 |
| Health insurance (under 30, GKV) | 120–150 |
| Food and groceries | 200–300 |
| Semester contribution (monthly equivalent) | 15–75 |
| Transport (Deutschlandticket) | 29 |
| Phone and internet | 15–30 |
| Personal expenses | 50–100 |
| Total monthly | ~730–1,235 |
For Pathway A holders, BAföG of 812–1,000 EUR/month covers most of these costs. In affordable cities like Leipzig, Halle, or Chemnitz, a Schutzstatus holder can study Studienkolleg at near-zero net cost.
For a full comparison of all Studienkolleg fees, see our complete cost guide.
Example: Yulia from Zaporizhzhia is in Cologne with §24 status. Her rent is 420 EUR/month in a shared flat. She receives 880 EUR/month in BAföG. She pays 120 EUR for health insurance (covered by BAföG calculation). Her net out-of-pocket is roughly 60–80 EUR/month after BAföG. She works 8 hours per week at a supermarket (12.82 EUR/hour) and earns about 410 EUR/month on top — she actually saves money while at Studienkolleg.
Germany’s 1.3 million Ukrainian residents (as of 2025) form the country’s largest recent refugee community and a well-organized support network for students.
| City | Estimated Ukrainian Residents | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin | 80,000+ | Largest concentration; multiple community organisations |
| Hamburg | 35,000+ | Active community, several advisory centres |
| Munich | 30,000+ | High cost of living but strong support infrastructure |
| Cologne/Düsseldorf | 25,000+ | Industrial Ruhr region, affordable options nearby |
| Frankfurt | 20,000+ | Central location, good connectivity |
| Leipzig/Dresden | 15,000+ | Affordable, student-friendly cities |
Ukrainian support networks in Germany help with housing, navigating bureaucracy, finding language courses, and understanding BAföG paperwork. Many organisations hold regular Stammtische (regular meetups) specifically for Ukrainian students. Check local Facebook groups and Telegram channels for your city — most major German cities have active Ukrainian student communities.
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Reach B1 German; apply to language courses locally |
| 3–4 | Research Studienkollegs; choose 3–5 to apply to |
| 4–5 | Gather documents (Atestat, transcripts, translations) |
| 5–6 | Submit applications (deadlines: Jan 15 for summer, Jul 15 for winter) |
| 6–7 | Take entrance exam (Aufnahmeprüfung) |
| 7–8 | Receive admission letter; apply for BAföG immediately |
| 8–9 | Update residence status with Ausländerbehörde |
| 9 | Start Studienkolleg |
Total time: 9–12 months from start to Studienkolleg.
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Start German (Goethe-Institut Ukraine or online) |
| 6–9 | Reach B1; take Goethe B1 exam |
| 9–10 | Gather and translate documents |
| 10–11 | Apply to Studienkollegs (3–5 applications) |
| 11–12 | Entrance exam; receive admission letter |
| 12–13 | Open Sperrkonto; book visa appointment at neighbouring country embassy |
| 13–15 | Visa appointment + processing (4–8 weeks) |
| 15–16 | Receive visa; book travel |
| 16–17 | Arrive in Germany; settle in |
| 17–18 | Studienkolleg starts |
Total time: 14–18 months from start to Studienkolleg.
For application deadline details, see our Studienkolleg application deadlines guide.
Ukrainian students in Germany have access to scholarships beyond standard BAföG.
| Scholarship | Amount | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|
| DAAD Stipendien für geflüchtete Studierende | 800–1,200 EUR/month | Enrolled or enrolled-to-be students from Ukraine |
| Deutschlandstipendium | 300 EUR/month | Via individual universities, merit-based |
| Rosa Luxemburg / Friedrich-Ebert / Heinrich-Böll foundations | 750–1,000 EUR/month | Political/social engagement focus |
| DAAD Helfernetz | 750 EUR/month | Ukrainian students helping other Ukrainians |
For the complete scholarships overview, see our scholarships and funding guide.
No. With §24 AufenthG status, BAföG eligibility replaces the Sperrkonto as proof of financial means. You do not need to deposit 11,904 EUR. Apply for BAföG the moment you receive your Studienkolleg admission letter.
If you hold §24 Schutzstatus (temporary protection), yes — you do not need a separate student visa. Your existing residence permit allows you to study. Notify your Ausländerbehörde of the change in status when you enroll. If you are applying from Ukraine or a third country, a Type D national visa is required.
Yes, if you hold §24 AufenthG status. Since June 1, 2022, §24 holders are eligible for BAföG on the same terms as German students. BAföG at Studienkolleg level covers preparatory courses — you do not need to wait until university. Apply through the Studienwerk serving your Studienkolleg as soon as you are admitted.
Nein. Enrolling at a Studienkolleg or university does not revoke your §24 Schutzstatus. Protection status and student status are independent. What changes is your financial support: Bürgergeld stops and BAföG begins. Your Aufenthaltserlaubnis remains valid until at least March 4, 2027. Seek advice from your Ausländerbehörde if you have specific concerns about your individual situation.
This is a documented challenge for many students who fled Ukraine. German universities and Studienkollegs have developed pragmatic approaches. Options include: sworn declarations (eidesstattliche Erklärung) about your academic history, letters from your Ukrainian university if they can still provide them remotely, and the ZAB evaluation service which handles incomplete documentation. Contact the DAAD Ukraine advisory service for case-specific guidance.
Germany generally continues to recognise degrees from Ukrainian universities regardless of where the institution is physically located now. The KMK decision of March 2024 states that Ukrainian students should not be disadvantaged due to the war. If your university is listed in anabin with H+ status, that recognition is not affected by current occupation.
Most Studienkollegs require B1 as minimum for admission. B2 is advantageous — some Studienkollegs give priority to B2 applicants, and the coursework at Studienkolleg is intensive in German. Ukrainian speakers typically find the consonant-heavy sounds of German easier than speakers of tonal Asian languages. Plan for 8–12 months to reach B1 from beginner level with 4–5 hours of study per week.
Yes. International students — including those on §24 status — can work up to 120 full days or 240 half-days per year. At 12.82 EUR/hour (2026 minimum wage), 10 hours per week earns about 500–550 EUR/month. Combine this with BAföG and your Studienkolleg period can be financially comfortable.
Studienkolleg lasts one academic year (two semesters). At the end, you take the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) — the final qualifying exam. Passing the FSP allows you to apply to German universities. For more on the FSP and what happens after, see our guide on what to do after the FSP.
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