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Living in Saudi Arabia
From Saudi Arabia to a European university
Many families in Saudi Arabia look at Europe for its universities, English-taught degrees and routes to work after graduating. We help you choose the country and course, and prepare your visa file from Riyadh to the official requirements.
Your options
Where students from Saudi Arabia go in Europe
- Germany: little or no tuition at most public universities, up to 18 months after graduating to find work, and a route to permanent residence.
- Spain: private universities with January, May and September starts.
- Malta: an English-speaking EU country, with several starts a year at private colleges.
Visa rules depend on your nationality and where you live, not only on the country you want to study in. Our guides above are written for applicants in the UK; for Saudi Arabia we check the rules of the mission that covers you.
Germany
The German student visa from Saudi Arabia
You apply to the German missions in Saudi Arabia.source
- AdmissionYour German university admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid), or a place at a Studienkolleg.
- APS certificate, if it appliesNeeded if your school leaving certificate or undergraduate degree is from an Indian, Chinese or Vietnamese institution.source
- FundsAt least €11,904 for the first year (€992 a month), usually in a blocked account; a scholarship or a formal obligation letter from a sponsor in Germany can also count.
- ApplyComplete your application on the Consular Services Portal, then book an appointment and bring all your documents to the mission in person. You need your Saudi ID, iqama, or Saudi visa and entry stamp.
- DecisionThe mission says student applications usually take at least one month, sometimes longer.
FAQ
Questions we’re asked about Saudi Arabia
Where do I apply for a German student visa from Saudi Arabia?
At the German missions in Saudi Arabia. Complete your application on the Consular Services Portal, then book an appointment and bring all your documents to the mission in person. You need your Saudi ID, iqama, or Saudi visa and entry stamp.
How much money do I need to show for Germany?
At least €11,904 for the first year of study (€992 a month), usually in a blocked account. A scholarship or a formal obligation letter from a sponsor living in Germany can also count.
Do I need an APS certificate?
Yes, if your school leaving certificate or undergraduate degree is from an Indian, Chinese or Vietnamese institution. Many Gulf residents studied in India, so we check this early: it adds time.
Can I start sooner than October?
Often, yes. Many private universities in Germany, Spain and Malta start in January, May and September.
Planning Europe from Saudi Arabia?
Tell us your nationality, qualifications and budget. We’ll tell you which countries and intakes fit, and prepare your application and visa with you.
Sources (checked 12 October 2026)
This page is general information, not immigration advice. Rules change, so we check them again for your case.