The Cheapest Countries to Study in Europe

Have you ever dreamt about doing a study abroad in Europe? If so, you aren't alone. 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

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 work up to 140 full days or 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.

See a full breakdown of the costs of studying in Germany:

• Tuition fees
• Housing and living costs

Slovenia

• Free or affordable tuition fees 💸
• Low cost of living 💰
• Warm culture, gorgeous nature, and tasty food 🍲

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 an excellent education at a price much lower than in 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 tuition, but even for students outside of the EU and a few non-EU countries, the fees are lower than in most other European countries. 

To cover those expenses, there are many scholarship opportunities in Slovenia that target international students, like the University of Ljubljana Zois Scholarship and numerous scholarships based on bilateral agreements between Slovenia and other countries.

The real cost-saving element here is the low cost of living. Slovenia is 30-40% cheaper than living in France, and 15-25% cheaper than Germany. These are rough numbers, of course, but they serve to illustrate a larger point: your money will be able to buy 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:

• Bachelor's: €2,000 - 11,000/year
• Master's: €5,000 - 11,000/year
• PhD: €2,000 - 6,000/year

Greece

• Free or affordable tuition fees 💸
• Affordable living cost outside of tourist areas 💶
• Beautiful nature, sunny beaches 🏖️

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 the summer holiday season. The average pay is between €500 and €700 per month, depending on the city and job. 

Greece offers plenty of scholarship opportunities to its students, some being country-wide (like those offered by the Greek State Scholarship Foundation), and some from specific universities. For example, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens offers up to €10,000 to undergraduate students. 

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 €800-1,200 per month on living expenses, most of which will go towards paying for accommodation.

See a full breakdown of the costs of studying in Greece:

• Tuition fees
• Housing and living costs

Estonia

• Free or affordable tuition fees 💸
• Excellent work-study conditions 💼
• Low cost of living 💶

The hidden gem of Europe, this Baltic country is slowly climbing the ranks of countries that provide quality education for international students on a budget.

All programs conducted in Estonian are completely free of charge regardless of nationality, and the tuition fees for programs in English are reasonably priced from €1,600 to €7,500 per year, with many scholarships and loan opportunities available to help alleviate some of the costs. 

Estonia is also an excellent choice for students aiming to build a career in the tech industry, as the country is known for its pragmatic approach to technological development and a strong start-up ecosystem. It's often referred to as an "administrative paradise", since almost any bureaucratic task can be completed in a few clicks.

Sitting at around several hundred euros per month, the cost of living in Estonia is quite low compared to the rest of Europe, which makes it an attractive choice as a study-abroad destination.

Additionally, international students don’t need any additional permits to work while studying in Estonia, and they can work unlimited hours as long as it doesn't interfere with their studies. Students can expect to earn between €550 and €1,500 per month. Non-EU students can even stay in Estonia for an additional 9 months after graduation to look for a job.

See a full breakdown of the costs of studying in Estonia:

• Tuition fees
• Housing and living costs

Poland

• Free for PhD and Polish-speaking programs 💸
• Low cost of living 💶
• Rich culture and history, tasty food 🧭

Poland is an excellent study abroad destination for international students aiming to fully immerse themselves in a rich and exciting culture at a cheaper price point.

Students who study in Polish don't have to pay any tuition fees regardless of nationality, which is great for students looking for a unique international experience. Most PhD programs are also free. Programs in English, on the other hand, can cost a few thousand euros per year, depending on the university and program. There are many scholarship and loan opportunities available to help international and exchange students pay for their studies. 

What you'd pay in tuition is offset by what you save on the living costs; however, as prices in Poland are some of the lowest in Europe, especially compared to the rest of the EU. You'll need between €700 and €1,000 per month on average, and this makes it one of the cheapest countries to study abroad in Europe. 

Students in Poland can work up to 20 hours per week while attending classes or full-time during the three months of summer vacation.

If you'd like to hear more about studying in Poland as an international student, check out Renata's story. She's a study abroad ambassador from North Macedonia who has participated in several international student exchanges, including one in Poland.

See a full breakdown of the costs of studying in Poland:

• Tuition fees
• Housing and living costs

Austria

• Low or affordable tuition fees 💸
• High quality of life with reasonable living costs 💶
• Stunning alpine nature, rich culture, and a safe environment 🏔️

Austria is a strong study abroad choice for students looking for high-quality education without the high price tag often associated with Western Europe. With its excellent public universities, cultural heritage, and central location in Europe, Austria offers great academic value in a welcoming setting.

Public universities in Austria charge very low tuition fees. EU/EEA students typically pay only a small student union fee (around €20-25 per semester), while non-EU students usually pay about €726 per semester, with some exemptions and scholarships available.

International students from outside the EU/EEA are generally allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester, making it easier for you to support living expenses while studying.

Austria also offers a wide range of scholarships for international students, including government-funded grants, university scholarships, and merit-based support, particularly at the Master's and PhD levels.

Living costs in Austria are moderate by Western European standards. Students typically spend around €800-1,200 per month, depending on the city, with Vienna being slightly more expensive than smaller student cities like Graz or Linz.

Overall, Austria combines great education, safety, and lifestyle with relatively low tuition fees, making it one of the most affordable and attractive study destinations in Western Europe.

See a full breakdown of the costs of studying in Austria:

• Tuition fees
• Housing and living costs

Czechia

• No tuition fees for programs in Czech 💸
• Lower day-to-day living costs 💶
• Historic cities, central location, and a vibrant student life 🏰

If you're looking for a study abroad destination with high-quality education in Europe but without the high costs, Czechia is the one for you.

At public universities, programs taught in Czech are tuition-free for all students, regardless of nationality. Programs taught in English typically cost around €2,000 - 10,000 per year, which is still significantly lower than in many Central European countries.

Non-EU/EEA students studying in Czechia on a student residence permit are allowed to work during their studies, usually up to 20 hours per week, helping students cover part of their living expenses.

You also have many scholarship opportunities in Czechia that can make your education significantly cheaper, if not free.

Living costs in Czechia are relatively affordable. Students generally spend around €600 - 900 per month, depending on the city and lifestyle, with Prague being more expensive than cities like Brno or Olomouc.

For these reasons, Czechia is considered one of the most affordable countries to study in Europe, offering solid education, a rich cultural experience, and an excellent quality-to-cost ratio for international students.

See a full breakdown of the costs of studying in Czechia:

• Tuition fees
• Housing and living costs