If you are planning to study in Germany — or you are already there — you already know the deal with German. Most English-taught programmes do not require it for admission, but daily life in Germany needs at least some. And if you are applying to a German-taught programme, you need B2. Either way, you are going to have to learn it, and you probably do not want to spend hundreds of euros before your blocked account even clears.
Here is the good news: the free resources right now are genuinely good. This is not a list of every app that exists. This is what actually helps, organized by where you are in your journey.
Free German Courses to Start Before You Arrive
DW Learn German — Nico’s Weg
Deutsche Welle — Germany’s public international broadcaster — built one of the best free German courses on the internet. “Nico’s Weg” follows a fictional student who arrives in Germany and navigates life here from scratch. It starts at A1 and runs through B1, using short videos, quizzes, and reading exercises. The pacing feels natural. It is free at dw.com/germancourses and there is a mobile app too. Once you finish Nico’s Weg, DW has materials going up to C2.
VHS Lernportal
This one flies under the radar but it is government-backed. The VHS Lernportal (vhs-lernportal.de) is a free online platform built by Germany’s Adult Education Association and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education. It covers A1 to B2, and unlike most free platforms, you get a real tutor assigned — not just automated feedback. Each level has hundreds of exercises. If you need to reach B1 or B2 before your programme starts, this is worth taking seriously. Registration is free and open to everyone, not just people already in Germany.
Goethe-Institut Free Exercises
The Goethe-Institut is Germany’s official cultural and language institute. At goethe.de they offer over 260 free exercises running from A1 to C2, calibrated to the exact CEFR levels your university admission will ask about. There are also free practice tests. If you are preparing for a formal exam like the TestDaF or a Goethe certificate, start here to understand what the actual format looks like before spending money on prep materials.
DeutschAkademie
Free, browser-based, and extremely thorough. DeutschAkademie (deutschakademie.de) has over 25,000 exercises covering grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. It is not flashy, but it is excellent for drilling the specific grammar rules German is notorious for — articles, case endings, separable verbs. Use it alongside DW or VHS for a complete setup.
Free German Resources Once You Are in Germany
Your University’s Language Centre (Sprachzentrum)
This is the most underused free resource for international students. Most German universities run a Sprachzentrum, and German courses there are free or heavily subsidised for enrolled students. Some offer full semester courses; others have conversation groups, grammar workshops, or tandem matching. Check your university’s international office or Sprachzentrum page as soon as you enrol — spots fill up fast and some require early registration.
Tandem Language Exchange
Simple in concept, genuinely effective. You are paired with a native German speaker who wants to learn your language. Half the conversation is in German, half in theirs. Your university’s language centre is the first place to ask about free tandem matching. It is real spoken practice with a real person, and it doubles as a way to make a local friend — something most international students find harder than expected.
Goethe-Institut Onleihe — A Hidden Gem
Not many people know this one. The Goethe-Institut Onleihe (goethe.de/onleihe) is a free digital library with over 23,000 German-language eBooks, audiobooks, films, and learning materials, available to anyone outside Germany at no cost. Already in Germany? Your local public library (Stadtbibliothek) usually offers free membership for students and its own digital lending collection with similar content.
Free YouTube Channels and Podcasts to Learn German
Easy German
Easy German (YouTube / easygerman.org) is the most-watched German learning channel online for a reason. Real street interviews with real people — subtitled in German and English. Unscripted, natural conversations. Watch a couple per week consistently and your listening comprehension improves noticeably over a few months. Free.
Learn German with Anja
This is the better entry point if you are starting from zero. Structured, clear, calm explanations of grammar and vocabulary. Once you hit B1, switch to Easy German.
Tagesschau in Einfacher Sprache
Germany’s main public broadcaster publishes a daily news digest in simplified German at tagesschau.de/einfache-sprache. Real news, real language, short sentences. Read it three times a week at B1 level and your reading speed and comprehension will grow fast. Completely free.
Coffee Break German
A structured podcast series (Spotify / Apple Podcasts) that takes you through German progressively. Short episodes, clear explanations, easy to fit into a commute. Free on all major platforms.
Quick Reference
| Resource | Best For | Level | Format |
| DW Learn German (Nico’s Weg) | Structured course | A1–B1 | Video + exercises |
| VHS Lernportal | Course with real tutor | A1–B2 | Online platform |
| Goethe-Institut | CEFR practice + tests | A1–C2 | Exercises |
| DeutschAkademie | Grammar drilling | A1–C1 | Browser exercises |
| Easy German | Listening / real German | A2–C1 | YouTube |
| Tagesschau Einfache Sprache | Real-world reading | B1–B2 | News |
| University Sprachzentrum | Courses + conversation | Varies | In-person / online |
| Goethe-Institut Onleihe | Books, films, audio | A2–C2 | Digital library |
You do not need all of these at once. Start with one structured course (DW or VHS), add one listening habit (Easy German or Tagesschau), and use Anki for vocabulary. That combination, kept up consistently, gets most students from A1 to B1 within six months.
If you are still figuring out your path to Germany, our complete guide to studying in Germany covers everything from admission requirements to the student visa — including exactly what German level different programmes require.
Share this post:
