BAföG Abroad

Can I apply for BAföG to fund vocational training abroad?

Unlike with domestic funding, responsibility for BAföG funding for vocational training abroad lies exclusively with the student aid office responsible for the respective state, regardless of which state you come from or where you have been pursuing your training so far.

Financial assistance may be provided for training abroad if certain specific requirements are met. However, all the eligibility criteria that apply in Germany must be met. There are even a few additional requirements. Essentially, the following are eligible for funding:

• a supplementary visit to certain foreign educational institutions in a country outside the EU, undertaken as part of a degree program in Germany or an EU member state
• a visit to an educational institution in a member state of the European Union and
• an internship required in connection with attendance at certain domestic educational institutions

You can find the detailed eligibility requirements in the following fact sheets, which we have compiled to provide you with an initial overview of financial aid for studying abroad:

Information Sheet: Financial Aid for Students Outside the European Union

Information Sheet: Financial Aid for Students Within the European Union

Information Sheet: Funding for High School Students Abroad

Information Sheet: Funding for Interns Abroad

We have made some additional forms required for your application available in our download section. Please note, however, that depending on your educational plans, only certain forms need to be submitted. It is under no circumstances necessary to have all forms filled out.

Your case officer will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.