You do not need a visa if you are a citizen of the European Union or of one of those countries that have a special agreement with Germany (Honduras, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Monaco and USA).
If you are not a citizen from the EU or one of the countries mentioned above you need to apply for a visa in the Germany Embassy or Consulate in your country. 

Types of Visa

There are different types of visa.

Important: As a tourist it is prohibited to study in Germany. A tourist visa cannot be transformed into a student visa.

For foreign students or applicants who wish to study in Germany there are three types of visa:

1. A visa to study a German course (which cannot be transformed to student visa)

2. A visa for applicants to a seat of learning valid when you have not had confirmation of your admission from a university. Once the approval of the educational institution is received the student must go immediately to the Office for Foreigners (Ausländeramt) to ask for the corresponding student visa.

3. The student visa is valid for a year. In order to receive it, you need the certificate of admission to the corresponding German university and a certificate that certifies that the financing of your studies is guaranteed.

If you apply for the visa beforehand, you have to provide the Embassy with the following:

- A signed passport or travel document. Both have to be valid for at least three months longer than the expiry date of the visa.
- 2 current passport photos.
- Two visa application forms (filled in and signed)
- Registration for a language course with at least 20 hours per week (e.g. certificate of registration, letter of admittance, receipt for course fees)
- A health insurance for the duration of your stay
- A verification that you are able to finance your stay and the course (using your own funds or via a third party)