Why international students still choose Germany
Germany continues to attract international students despite rising living costs, housing shortages, language barriers and a weaker job market. For many students, the country’s affordable education, strong universities and career opportunities still outweigh the growing difficulties.
Germany has become one of Europe’s most important destinations for international higher education. Around 402,000 international students were enrolled at German universities in the 2024/25 winter semester, according to figures highlighted by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
One of the biggest attractions is the cost of education. Many public universities charge little or no tuition fees for regular degree programmes, making Germany considerably more affordable than countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Students generally still have to pay semester contributions and cover their living expenses.
However, studying in Germany is becoming increasingly expensive. Housing is a particularly serious problem, with students competing for limited accommodation in cities where rents have risen sharply. Student residences, or Studentenwohnheime (student dormitories), can offer cheaper options, but places are limited.
The job market is another growing concern. International students often hope to remain in Germany after graduation and build careers there, but finding employment has become more challenging as economic conditions have weakened. Language skills can also determine how easily graduates enter the German labour market, particularly outside international companies and highly specialised sectors.
Despite these obstacles, Germany continues to benefit from its reputation for high-quality education and research. Students are attracted by internationally recognised universities, strong engineering and technical programmes, research opportunities and the possibility of gaining professional experience while studying.
For many international students, Germany also offers something that several other popular destinations cannot: a relatively affordable path to a European education combined with the possibility of remaining in the country after graduation. This makes Germany particularly attractive to students who see their studies as a potential route to a long-term career.
The growing challenges have therefore not destroyed Germany’s appeal. Instead, international students are increasingly weighing the advantages against the difficulties. For many, higher living costs, housing problems and language barriers are serious disadvantages—but not enough to outweigh the educational and career opportunities Germany still provides.