Study in Germany from Turkey
A step-by-step guide tailored for students applying from Turkey — APS, embassy, documents and timeline.
🏛️ Visa application at
Ankara (consulates in Istanbul, Izmir)
📜 APS certificate
Not required
Turkey does not have APS — German embassies verify documents directly. Turkish nationals also benefit from being EU candidate country status (some streamlined procedures).
Key steps
- 1
Notarisation + Apostille
Get your degrees and transcripts notarised and apostilled. Turkey is part of The Hague Apostille Convention — this simplifies the process.
- 2
Translate to German or English
Translate all documents through a sworn translator (Yeminli Tercüman) recognized by the German embassy.
- 3
Apply to German universities
Apply via uni-assist or directly. Turkish students apply in large numbers — competition is strong for engineering programmes.
- 4
Open a blocked account
Standard process — Expatrio, Fintiba, Coracle all accept Turkish residents. Transfer via Turkish bank or Wise.
- 5
Visa appointment
Book at German Embassy Ankara or consulate (Istanbul/Izmir). Turkish students typically have shorter wait times (4-6 weeks).
📄 Documents checklist
⏳ Suggested timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 12 months before | Research universities |
| 10 months before | Take TOEFL/IELTS/TestDaF |
| 8 months before | Notarise + apostille documents |
| 6 months before | Apply to universities |
| 3-4 months before | Receive admission letter |
| 3 months before | Open blocked account |
| 2 months before | Book visa appointment |
| 1 month before | Visa decision + travel |
💡 Country tips
- 💡Turkish students have shorter visa wait times than many other countries — leverage this for early applications.
- 💡TRY weakness means German costs feel high — apply for DAAD or Turkish government scholarships.
- 💡Istanbul consulate is often busy — Ankara embassy can be faster.
- 💡Turkish students excel in engineering, architecture, and medicine in Germany.
- 💡Apostille saves significant time vs. embassy attestation in other countries.
- 💡Strong Turkish diaspora in Germany makes integration easier.