How to do an exchange in Germany: the step-by-step guide
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Study and work in Germany in 2026 follows five decisions in sequence: language, visa, blocked account, city and study path.
Do I need to speak German to do an exchange in Germany?
No. Language schools welcome students from absolute beginner level (A1), and there are university programmes taught entirely in English, so German is not an entry requirement.
The language, however, defines the project's speed. Those who arrive with basic German (A2 or B1) get student jobs faster, and B2 is the turning point for qualified vacancies, vocational training and independent life outside the international bubble. Even in English-taught university programmes, everyday German life (supermarket, public offices, rental contracts) calls for at least the basics of the language. For the residence permit tied to the language course, the immersion must be intensive, with a minimum weekly load defined by the residence rule.
Three formats work well for those who do not speak German yet:
- Intensive German course: 18 to 20 lessons a week, with an average path from A1 to B2 in 9 to 12 months of immersion
- Degree or master's in English: university programmes with no prior German requirement, with the language studied alongside the course
- Study before departure: starting German in your home country shortens the path to B2 and unlocks the Ausbildung, which requires B1 or B2 right at the start
The details of each format are in the guide how to study in Germany without knowing German.
What visa do I need to study in Germany?
It depends on your nationality and the type of programme. Citizens of countries with a waiver agreement enter as tourists and regularise residence within 90 days inside Germany; other nationalities apply for the visa at the German consulate in their home country before travelling.
The three most common modalities for students:
- Language course visa: for intensive immersion, valid for up to 12 months, with regularisation tied to enrolment
- Student visa: for university and Studienkolleg, with part-time work permission during the lecture period
- Chancenkarte: a points-based job seeker visa, for those who already have a recognised qualification and want to look for work inside Germany
The consular process is a process with requirements: form, financial proof, health insurance and academic documents with sworn translation and apostille. The document stage consumes the most time, so it starts together with the application, not after it. The consulate processes requests in weeks, not days, and a course seat with a set date does not wait for a late document.
The requirements for each case, with documents and deadlines, are in the guide student visa for Germany in 2026. Those who already have training and experience find the specific step by step on the Chancenkarte, the job seeker visa page.
How much does the exchange cost and what is the blocked account?
Financial proof is the centre of the process: the German government requires the blocked account (Sperrkonto), an account where you deposit the cost of your stay before travelling and withdraw a fixed amount per month during your studies. The money is yours the whole time; the block only guarantees to the government that you can support yourself in the country.
The required amount is official, set by the German government, and varies by programme modality. Opening is done online, still in your home country, and the deposit receipt goes into the visa or residence permit application. In practice, the fixed monthly withdrawal also works as budget discipline: you live the semester knowing exactly how much you have available each month.
Besides the blocked account, the real exchange budget includes:
- Housing: the biggest monthly cost, with a large difference between capitals and university towns
- Health insurance: mandatory for residence, with minimum coverage set by law
- Documentation: sworn translations and apostilles of diplomas and transcripts
- Day to day: transport, food and the mandatory city registration on arrival
The full picture, with the blocked account detailed step by step, is in the guide how much it costs to study in Germany in 2026.
Where to live during the exchange in Germany?
The city changes the cost, the pace and the opportunities of the exchange. Berlin concentrates the widest variety of courses and the most multicultural scene; Munich combines a strong job market with high rent; smaller university towns offer lower costs and intense academic life. The rent difference between a capital and a mid-sized city can define how much of the blocked account is left at the end of the month, so choosing the city is also a financial decision.
The most common housing formats among students:
- Student residence (Studentenwohnheim): the cheapest option, with a waiting list that calls for early application
- Shared flat (WG): the most common format, with a private room and shared areas
- Private residence: more expensive, recommended for the first months while the definitive search happens
Regardless of the format, arrival has a mandatory step: city registration (Anmeldung) at the address where you live, required to open a bank account and complete the residence permit.
The city-by-city comparison is in the guide to the best cities in Germany to live in in 2026.
Which path to choose: language course, university or Ausbildung?
The right path depends on the final goal: mastering the language, leaving with a European degree or entering the job market directly. The three formats connect, and many exchange students combine more than one over the project.
- Intensive language course: the most flexible entry door. It allows working up to 20 hours a week, requires no prior German and serves as the base for university or the Ausbildung
- University and master's: a European degree with a student visa, part-time work allowed and up to 18 months of stay after completion to look for a job in the field
- Ausbildung: paid vocational training lasting 2 to 3 years, half classroom and half company practice, with German B1 or B2 required right at the start
The most common sequence is language first, university or Ausbildung after: the intensive course regularises entry into the country and takes German to the level required by the next stage. There is no single mandatory order: those who already have B2 German can go straight into university or the Ausbildung, and those at zero start with immersion. The profile analysis is what defines the right order for each case. Those who complete higher education also get 18 months of stay to look for work and, after five years of legal residence, can start the German citizenship process, which has allowed dual citizenship since 2024.
Those interested in vocational training find requirements, fields and pay in the guide Ausbildung in Germany in 2026. To design the full path with support, the study and work in Germany programme by Be Easy covers school, visa, blocked account and documentation.
Frequently asked questions about doing an exchange in Germany
Can I work during the exchange in Germany?
Yes. The study residence permit allows up to 20 hours a week of work during the lecture period, including during the language course. During academic breaks, the limit rises to full time.
How long does it take to organise the exchange from zero?
Full planning takes 6 to 9 months: choosing the programme, translating and apostilling documents, opening the blocked account, health insurance and visa. Starting early secures the class of the desired semester.
Is there a maximum age to do an exchange in Germany?
There is no official age limit for the study visa. What weighs in the analysis is the coherence of the project: previous education, course goal and financial proof.
Can I stay in Germany after the course?
Yes. Those who complete higher education can stay up to 18 months to look for a job in their field and, after five years of legal residence, start the German citizenship process, which has allowed dual citizenship since 2024.
When should I open the blocked account?
As soon as enrolment or the admission letter is confirmed. Opening is online and the deposit receipt is required in the visa or residence permit application, so the earlier the account exists, the more slack the process has.
You have the map. What is the first step of your project?
Every project starts with a different decision: language, visa or budget. A profile analysis shows which stage unlocks your case and in what order the others happen. The study and work in Germany programme organises that sequence with a dedicated senior consultant.
Be Easy: boutique exchange consultancy
Be Easy designs exchange projects in Germany from start to finish: choosing the path, documentation, blocked account, housing and support after arrival. To build your plan with a senior consultant, get in touch with us.
