Here are some of the cheapest countries to study in Europe. Get a high-quality education at a lower price tag!
Getting Started
Study Abroad Financing
Deciding Where to Study
Have you ever dreamt about doing a study abroad in Europe? You wouldn't be alone in that thought - Europe is one of the most popular study destinations in the world, known for its quality education, rich culture and cutting-edge technology.
That quality of life comes with a price-tag, however, as Europe is known to be one of the most expensive destinations for studying abroad, especially for international students outside of the EU. Millions of students decide to pursue higher education abroad every year, and time and time again it’s been shown that affordability is one of the primary factors that play into their decision to study abroad. That’s why we’ve decided to create a list of the cheapest countries to study in Europe.
We curated this list of the cheapest countries to study in Europe based on five main factors:
Tuition fees for EU/EEA and Switzerland citizens
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students
Costs of living (accommodation, food, transport, etc.)
Availability of scholarships, loans and state-funded studies
Overall quality of the international student experience
Short on time?
The cheapest countries to study in Europe:
Overall: Slovenia (low cost of living) and Germany (more study/work opportunities)
As a Bachelor’s student: Germany and Portugal
As a Master’s student: Greece and Portugal
As a PhD student: Estonia and Poland
As an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen: Slovenia and Greece
As a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen: Germany, Greece, and Slovenia
If you speak the country’s native language: Germany, Estonia, and Poland
Want to make your study abroad even more affordable?
Important note: Please keep in mind that everything we discuss below are averages. Your study abroad in Europe might cost more or less depending on your personal circumstances and lifestyle. There’s also an element of luck involved (i.e. being able to find affordable housing before all spots are taken, or landing a good student job). As such, we strongly encourage you to research the specific country, city, and university you’d like to study in before making the final decision.
The Cheapest Countries to Study In Europe
Germany
No tuition fees 💸
Many stipends and student jobs available 📝
Rich in culture and tradition 🔎
From its rich culture and history to its world-renowned universities standing at the forefront of modern research, Germany has a lot going for it. There are many reasons why Germany is our first recommendation as one of the cheapest countries to study in Europe.
First of all, most public universities are completely free, barring a small student union semester fee, which covers things like university services and transportation.
Then, the international student community in Germany is very large, so there are many programs fully conducted in English, even at an undergraduate level. Most German universities also organize language learning courses for those that would like to invest time and energy into learning German.
There are many scholarships, grants, and employment opportunities in Germany. German nationals and EU citizens, as well as internationals in certain cases, have access to the Federal Student Financial Aid Program, which offers numerous grants and interest-free loans.
International students (EU/EEA/Swiss and non-EU/EEA/Swiss) can work up to 20 hours per week while studying. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss are allowed to workup to140 full daysor 280 half days. According to the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF):
“The previous annual working time account of 120 full days or 240 half days will be increased to 140 full days or 280 half days. Alternatively, the new rule will allow student employees to work up to 20 hours per week”
Lastly, Germany has a very long and rich history as one of the educational, cultural, and technological centers of Europe. Not only will you be getting quality education, but you’ll also get to see and experience many cultural and historical landmarks and events.
If you’d like to see how studying abroad in Germany looks first-hand, check out Beli’s story. She's a student ambassador from Spain currently studying in Freiburg, Germany.
Tuition fees for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Cost of living (per month) Free | Free (Private universities are paid and cost more) | €800 - 1,000
See a full breakdown of the costs of studying in Germany:
Slovenia is a southern European country known for its beautiful nature, tasty food and warm locals. International students looking to study in Slovenia will get excellent education at a price much lower than most of Europe.
There are no tuition fees for Slovenian nationals, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, country residents, and a handful of non-EU countries. This makes it one of the cheapest countries to study in Europe in terms of the tuition, but even for students outside of the EU and few non-EU countries, the fees are lower than in most other European countries.
The real cost-saving element here is the low cost of living. Slovenia is 30-50% cheaper than living in France, and 20-50% cheaper than Germany. These are rough numbers, of course, but they serve to illustrate a larger point: your money will be able to afford you more things in Slovenia than in other Western European countries.
Foreign students in Slovenia can find part-time or temporary student jobs through Student Services, individual universities' career centers or by going to employers directly themselves. On average, you can expect to earn between €350 and €500 per month working in Slovenia.
Tuition fees for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Cost of living (per month) Free | Free for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia. Other citizens pay tuition* | €400 - 700
From its shimmering beaches, warm weather and tasty Mediterranean food, to the long history and tradition of high-quality education, it’s no surprise that Greece is a popular choice for many international students.
There are no tuition fees for EU/EEA/Swiss students at Greek universities, and those that do pay fees only pay around €1,500 to €3,000 per year on average. There are many programs in English in Greece, but Modern Greek language courses are also available around the country for those wishing to get the complete international experience.
International students can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester, or up to 40 hours (full-time) during summer holiday season. The average pay is between €500 and €700 per month depending on the city and job.
What’s more, the prices in Greece tend to be very cheap outside of the biggest tourist destinations. On average, you can expect to spend €450 - 750 per month on living expenses, most of which will go towards paying for accommodation.
Tuition fees for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Cost of living (per month) Free | €1,500 - €3,000 | €400 - 750
See a full breakdown of the costs of studying in Greece:
