How the Cost Calculation Works

The total cost of a Germany visa application from Nigeria involves multiple separate payments to multiple different institutions, none of which are aware of each other. This calculator adds them all together into one figure. The formula is straightforward:

Each component scales differently. The German embassy visa fee is fixed per person. VFS service charges are per appointment. Apostille fees depend on how many documents need apostilling. Sperrkonto setup is per account (one per adult). Translation is per document. Health insurance is per person per duration.

Every Cost Line Explained

German embassy visa fee

For a Type D national visa (student, work, family, language course), the standard fee is EUR 75 per adult. Children under 6 are exempt; children 6 to 17 pay EUR 37.50. For Schengen short-stay visas (Type C), the fee is EUR 80 per adult. This fee is paid to the German state and is non-refundable regardless of outcome. It is collected at the VFS appointment.

VFS Global service fee (Lagos)

VFS Global charges a separate service fee on top of the embassy fee. This covers their administrative and biometric collection service. The current VFS Germany Nigeria service fee is approximately NGN 19,000 to NGN 23,000 per application (equivalent to roughly EUR 12 to EUR 14 at current market rates). This fee also changes periodically and is paid in Naira at the VFS counter.

Apostille fees (Federal Ministry of Education / Foreign Affairs)

Each document that requires an apostille is submitted separately to the relevant Nigerian authority. The standard apostille fee per document is approximately NGN 15,000 to NGN 30,000 depending on the document type and the authority. For a standard student visa application, you typically apostille: degree certificate, academic transcript, WAEC/NECO certificate, and birth certificate. That is 4 apostilles at roughly NGN 15,000 to NGN 25,000 each, totalling NGN 60,000 to NGN 100,000 before agents fees.

Certified German translation fees

Each apostilled document that is in English still typically requires a certified German translation for German university applications and KMK-ZAB assessments. Translation fees from a certified German translator in Nigeria run approximately NGN 50,000 to NGN 120,000 per document depending on length and complexity. An academic transcript is typically more expensive to translate than a one-page birth certificate.

Sperrkonto setup fee

Opening a blocked account with Fintiba, Expatrio, or Deutsche Bank involves a one-time setup fee. Fintiba and Expatrio both currently charge approximately EUR 69. Deutsche Bank charges approximately EUR 49. This fee is separate from the deposit amount. The total deposit (EUR 11,904 for 12-month student visa) is not included in this calculator; use the DeyWithMe Blocked Account Naira Calculator for that figure.

International transfer fee

Sending money from Nigeria to your Sperrkonto abroad incurs a transfer fee. Wise typically charges EUR 30 to EUR 45 on a transfer of this size. Nigerian bank SWIFT transfers cost EUR 50 to EUR 200 depending on the bank. Domiciliary account transfers to a SEPA destination cost approximately EUR 15 to EUR 25.

Travel health insurance

Required for all German visa categories. Must cover at least EUR 30,000 and the full Schengen area. For a 3-month travel insurance policy covering Nigeria to Germany, costs typically range from EUR 30 to EUR 80 per person depending on the provider and coverage level. For longer national visas, the initial travel period insurance is needed until German public health insurance (Krankenversicherung) begins.

International courier (documents to Germany if needed)

For KMK-ZAB Comparability applications or to send original documents to German institutions, DHL or FedEx from Nigeria to Germany costs approximately EUR 35 to EUR 55 per shipment depending on weight and service level.

Table of Truth: Typical Total Costs by Visa Type (1 Adult)

Excludes Sperrkonto deposit, flights, and any post-arrival costs. All EUR figures are approximate.

Why the Total is Usually Higher Than People Expect

Most people focus on the embassy visa fee (EUR 75 or EUR 80) and miss the other components entirely. In practice, the preparation costs for a Nigeria-to-Germany student visa — apostilles, translations, Sperrkonto setup, health insurance, VFS service charge — typically add EUR 400 to EUR 700 on top of the basic visa fee. At a market rate of NGN 1,700 per EUR, that is NGN 680,000 to NGN 1,190,000 in preparation costs alone.

This is before the Sperrkonto deposit (EUR 11,904 for a student visa), before flights, and before any agent fees if you use a document processing agent. The full upfront cost of a Germany student visa from Nigeria, including the Sperrkonto deposit, is typically NGN 20 million to NGN 25 million at current exchange rates.

Realistic Scenarios

Single student, degree from UNILAG, applying for first time

Visa fee: EUR 75. VFS Lagos: approximately EUR 14 equivalent. Apostille for degree, transcript, WAEC, birth cert (4 docs at EUR 12 each average): EUR 48. Certified German translation (4 docs at EUR 55 each): EUR 220. Fintiba setup: EUR 69. Wise transfer: EUR 35. Health insurance (2 months): EUR 50. Total preparation: approximately EUR 511. At NGN 1,700/EUR: approximately NGN 869,000.

Couple applying for Chancenkarte (both adults)

All costs double for two adults: two visa fees (EUR 150), two VFS appointments (EUR 28 equivalent), two sets of document apostilles and translations (approximately EUR 540), two Fintiba accounts (EUR 138), two transfer fees (EUR 70), two health insurances (EUR 100). Total: approximately EUR 1,026. At NGN 1,700: approximately NGN 1,744,200. Each also needs their own Sperrkonto deposit of EUR 12,324 for 12 months.

Family of four applying for family reunification

Two adults and two children (ages 8 and 12, each paying reduced visa fees of EUR 37.50). Visa fees: EUR 150 + EUR 75 = EUR 225. VFS for 4 appointments. Additional family documents: marriage certificate apostille + translation, birth certificates (2 children) apostille + translation. No Sperrkonto (sponsor-funded). Total preparation costs: EUR 600 to EUR 900 depending on translation volume. Significantly higher coordination cost from needing four separate VFS appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the visa fee refundable if my application is refused?

No. The German embassy visa fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome. The VFS service fee is also non-refundable. These fees are for processing and administrative services, not for a guaranteed outcome.

Do I pay VFS fees separately from the embassy fee?

Yes. The embassy visa fee and the VFS service fee are paid separately. The embassy fee is paid at the VFS counter on behalf of the German state. The VFS service fee is paid to VFS Global for their collection and biometric service. Both are due at your appointment.

Can I reduce the apostille cost by using fewer documents?

The documents required are set by the German embassy and cannot be reduced. You cannot substitute a non-apostilled document for an apostilled one. What you can potentially save on is using a reputable apostille agent in bulk if you need multiple documents processed simultaneously, which sometimes reduces per-document cost versus processing each separately.

Is health insurance included in the Sperrkonto?

No. The Sperrkonto covers living costs only. Health insurance is a separate mandatory requirement. Some Sperrkonto providers (Fintiba, Expatrio) offer bundled health insurance plans, but these are optional add-ons charged separately from the blocked account.

What counts as an acceptable health insurance policy for a German visa?

Travel health insurance must cover a minimum of EUR 30,000, be valid across the entire Schengen area, and cover the complete duration of the requested visa period. Policies that cover only Germany (not the wider Schengen area) do not qualify. Standard Nigerian health insurance plans are also not accepted.