07 - Germany - Registration and/or tuition fees

Until 2005, no fees were charged for German higher education institutions (universities, colleges of art and music, Fachhochschulen) up to the first academic degree qualifying for an entry into a profession. Pursuant to a judgment rendered by the Federal Constitutional Court ( Bundesverfassungsgericht), the Länder may, at their own discretion, impose study fees on students. In order to maintain equal educational opportunities, the interest of low-income groups of the population should be taken into account. The first Länder made use of the option to introduce general study fees in the winter semester 2006/2007 and imposed contributions of up to Euro 500 per semester. In some Länder, the higher education institutions are free to decide on the imposition of study fees and the amount thereof. Simultaneously, loan systems have been developed which provide for the legal entitlement to a student loan and the income-related repayment of the loan after completion of the study course. The study fees should be applied to the improvement of the quality of lectures and study courses and/or to the improvement of study conditions.

Additionally, all students have to pay a minor contribution towards administrative fees and for the use of the institution's social facilities. If the institution has an organ of student self-administration (a General Student Committee – Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss) students also pay an additional contribution. In most Länder, fees for long-term students and for an additional course of study are now being charged.

At the state-run Berufsakademienin Baden-Württemberg, study fees to the amount of Euro 500 per semester will be imposed from the summer semester 2007 onwards. Sachsen and Thüringen are currently not planning to introduce study fees. In parts, the Berufsakademien also impose admission fees or contributions for the use of social facilities.

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