Studying in Europe costs 800 to 1,500 euros (US$934–$1,750) per month on average, according to a 2025 study cost breakdown — and that’s before tuition.
However, that average is dragged up by cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Munich.
Move east, and the numbers look very different. You’ll find world-class universities, rich student cultures, and cities where 600 euros (US$690) a month isn’t just survivable — it’s genuinely comfortable.
Whether you’re after a buzzing capital or a compact university town, Europe’s most affordable student cities deliver solid academics without draining your bank account. Here are seven of the cheapest, ranked roughly from lowest to highest monthly spend.
7 cheapest European cities for international students
International students flock to Kraków for its medieval charm and a cost of living that keeps monthly expenses well under 800 euros. Source: Pexels
Kraków, Poland
One of the cheapest European cities to study in is Kraków. It’s one of those rare cities that manages to be historic, vibrant, and genuinely cheap all at once. According to Akademia WSB’s official cost guide, international students in Kraków need around 550–800 euros (US$630–920) per month for 2025/26, covering accommodation, food, transport, utilities, and personal expenses.
Rent is your biggest outlay. A room in a shared flat runs between 200–400 euros (US$230–460) per month, while a student dormitory spot can cost as little as 60–150 (US$69–173) euros. Groceries are cheap — budget supermarkets like Lidl and Biedronka are everywhere, and a monthly student transport pass costs just 17 euros (US$20).
Academically, Kraków is anchored by the Jagiellonian University, one of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in 1364. It offers a growing range of English-taught programmes across law, medicine, humanities, and social sciences.
Tuition for international students at public universities in Poland typically ranges from:
- 500 – 6,000 euros (US$540 – US$6,480) per academic year for bachelor’s degrees
- 1,000 – 8,000 euros (US$1,080 – US$8,640) per academic year for master’s degrees
Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest doesn’t always make the top of people’s study-abroad lists, but it probably should. According to EDUopinions, the overall cost of living in Bucharest is 34% lower than in Vienna and 26% lower than in Madrid, making it one of the cheapest capital cities in the EU for students.
A private apartment in the city centre can be found for under 500 euros (US$575) per month, and outside the centre, rents drop to around 330 euros (US$380) per month. A monthly transport pass costs just 16 euros (US$18) and covers the metro, buses, and trams. Student dormitory rooms are available from around 75 euros (US$86) per month, and student restaurant meals cost 5–10 euros (US$5.75–11.50).
The University of Bucharest and the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) both offer English-taught programmes, particularly popular in business, economics, and law. Romania’s growing tech and startup sector also makes Bucharest a smart place to study if you’re looking at part-time work alongside your degree.
International students are quietly discovering Belgrade’s secret: a vibrant European capital and a nightlife scene that rivals cities twice the price. Source: Pexels
Belgrade, Serbia
When looking at cheapest European cities, Belgrade is an underrated one to mention.
Belgrade sits outside the EU, which gives it some of the lowest costs in continental Europe. The University of Belgrade officially estimates that international students need 600–800 euros (US$690–920) per month to cover accommodation, health insurance, utilities, food, and transport.
Transport in Belgrade offers genuinely remarkable value — a monthly student pass costs just 15 euros (US$17), and single rides are 0.70 euros (US$0.81). Student canteen meals run between 1–2.60 euros (US$1.15–3) for card-holding students. Rent for a whole central apartment can start at around 300 euros (US$345) per month, and dormitory spots are available for as low as 100 euros (US$115) per month.
One thing to factor in: Serbia is not an EU member, so non-EU students should review visa requirements carefully. Health insurance is also mandatory, adding around 66 euros (US$76) per month.
The University of Belgrade is a strong research institution with growing international programmes, and Belgrade’s nightlife, food scene, and cultural energy make day-to-day life genuinely enjoyable on a student budget.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Bulgaria has the lowest cost of living of any EU member state, and its capital, Sofia, reflects that. The average monthly living cost for students in Sofia is around 500 euros (US$575), excluding rent, securing its spot on this list of cheapest European cities.
Rent varies significantly. University dormitory rooms are available from around 25–60 euros (US$29–69) per month, while private apartments in Sofia range from 180–450 euros (US$207–518). A monthly transport pass with a student discount costs just 11 euros (US$13) — 21.50 BGN, and the metro makes getting around the city straightforward.
Tuition fees at Bulgarian public universities are also modest by European standards. According to Mastersportal, international students at Bulgarian public universities pay between 300–3,850 euros (US$345–4,430) per year for tuition, depending on the programme, with medicine and pharmacy at the higher end of that range.
Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and the Medical University of Sofia are both popular with international students, the latter particularly well known among those studying medicine.
Porto, Portugal
Porto is the most Western European city on this list of cheapest European cities, and its costs reflect that. Scholarsavenue puts the average monthly cost for students in Portugal at 500–800 euros (US$575–920), with Porto sitting toward the top of that range depending on housing choices.
University residence halls in Porto cost between 150–250 euros (US$173–288) per month, while rooms in shared flats typically run 350–800 euros (US$403–920). Food costs stay manageable thanks to Porto’s excellent fresh markets and a culture of cheap restaurant lunch deals — menus do dia can be found for under 7 euros (US$8), while university cantinas charge around 4 euros (US$4.60) per meal.
The University of Porto is one of Portugal’s top-ranked universities and offers a good range of English-taught programmes, particularly in engineering, sciences, and business.
International students from outside the EU can work up to 20 hours per week on a student visa, which helps with living costs. Add in the Atlantic coastline, warm weather, and one of Europe’s most beloved food cultures, and Porto offers a serious quality of life for the price.
International students in Valencia, one of the cheapest European cities to study in, get Mediterranean beaches, a buzzing Erasmus social scene, and an affordable monthly budget. Source: Pexels
Valencia, Spain
If you want Mediterranean sun without Madrid or Barcelona prices, Valencia is your answer. According to University Living, students in Valencia can comfortably manage on 700–900 euros (US$805–1,035) per month, including rent, food, and transport — noticeably less than in Spain’s two biggest cities.
Being one of the cheapest European cities to study in, Valencia’s university residences range from 250–400 euros (US$288–460) per month, while rooms in shared flats typically run 300–600 euros (US$345–690). According to Idealista’s 2024 data, the average monthly rent for a room in Valencia is 400 euros (US$460) — well below Madrid (525 euros) and Barcelona (550 euros). Valencia’s SUMA monthly transport pass is subsidised to 17.50 euros (US$20) for under-31s through late 2025, and the city’s Mediterranean climate keeps heating bills low in winter.
Academically, Valencia is home to the Universitat de València (founded 1499) and the Universitat Politècnica de València, both with strong international reputations. The city has a large Erasmus and international student community, so finding people to share accommodation and activities with is easy. Tuition at Spanish public universities for non-EU students runs approximately 1,000–1,500 euros (US$1,150–1,700) per year, depending on the programme.
Tartu, Estonia
When it comes to the cheapest European cities, Tartu is a bit of a hidden gem. Estonia’s second city is small — home to just 95,000 people — but roughly one in five residents is a student, giving it an energy and social scene that punches well above its size. A relocation guide for foreign students in Tartu estimates a monthly budget of 600–900 euros (US$690–1,035) for comfortable living, covering rent, food, and transport.
According to Study in Estonia, the official national study portal, the average monthly living cost for students in Estonia is 300–500 euros (US$345–575), with Tartu at the higher end of that range due to its dense student population and higher housing demand.
The University of Tartu, founded in 1632, is Estonia’s flagship institution and ranks in the global top 400. It’s particularly strong in sciences, health, and digital innovation — fitting for a country that pioneered e-governance and digital identity.
The university offers over 27 English-taught master’s programmes, and scholarship opportunities through the Estonian government are widely available for non-EU applicants.
Disclaimer: This article was updated on April 7, 2026.
