Is University in Germany Really 100% Free? Here’s the Reality

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Germany is known for offering free education, but DAAD President Prof. Dr Joybrato Mukherjee has explained the reality behind the claim.

Mukherjee confirmed that, in general, people studying in Germany are not charged tuition fees, although this does not apply in every case. “Generally, individuals are not charged tuition fees. Nevertheless, we must acknowledge that education still has costs. ‘Tuition-free’ does not mean that there are no costs at all,” he said at a press conference on Friday (22 October 2026).

He said the cost of higher education in Germany is not borne by individuals, but is funded through taxation.

In effect, he said, this amounts to a scholarship for everyone: German society gives each student the opportunity to pursue an education in the country.

“In other words, and this is the argument we put forward at DAAD, it could be said that German society provides a scholarship to every student in the German education system. That is the reality,” Mukherjee said.

“The costs still exist; they are simply not charged to students personally, but are borne by society as a whole,” he added.

German Deputy Ambassador Oliver Sperling, who was also present, offered few further comments. He said the details of the system depended on a country’s economic situation and budgetary arrangements.

Sperling added that Germany was open to discussions with Indonesia if it was interested in adopting a similar policy. Germany was ready to share information about its system, the approach it had taken and the challenges it had faced.

The decision, however, would remain with each country. Germany was prepared to share its experience to date.

“We can share what has worked well in our system, the approach we have taken and the challenges we have faced, and consider together how Indonesia might introduce something similar or perhaps something different,” Sperling said.

DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, or the German Academic Exchange Service) is the world’s largest funding organisation supporting higher education institutions and student associations in Germany. Its members include hundreds of recognised universities and student bodies in the country.