9 cheapest European countries for international students

From the cobblestone alleys of Prague to the sun-drenched beaches of Lisbon, the cheapest European countries to study in are closer than you think — and they happen to be some of the most beautiful places on earth. But let’s be real — not all of Europe is created equal when it comes to cost, and for many students, the price tag can be genuinely daunting.

The good news is that plenty of European countries won’t cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, some offer world-class degrees at fees that would make a UK or US university bursar blush — and living costs to match.

In fact, a recent UCAS insight found that 43% of prospective UK applicants now say they’re less likely to go to university because of cost-of-living pressures — up from just 24% in 2023. And it’s not just domestic students feeling the squeeze. A 2021 UCAS report found that 69% of international applicants flagged high tuition fees and living costs as a top barrier to studying in the UK — and that pressure has only grown since. So if you’re one of them, this guide is for you. 

Here are nine European countries that deliver excellent value for your money in 2025

Germany’s tuition-free public universities now enrol around 420,000 international students — all for the price of a semester admin fee. Source: Pexels

Germany

Germany remains the gold standard for budget-friendly education. Most public universities charge no tuition fees for undergraduate and doctoral programmes — for both local and international students. You’ll only pay a small semester contribution, which varies between €70 and €430 per semester depending on the institution, and at many universities this includes a public transport pass. 

For living costs, the DAAD officially recommends budgeting between €900 (US$1,058) and €1,200 (US$1,411) per month to cover rent, food, transport, health insurance, and everyday expenses. Smaller cities like Leipzig or Magdeburg come in at the lower end; Munich and Frankfurt push toward the top.

The DAAD scholarship is one of the most generous internationally, covering tuition, living costs, and travel. A world-class education for the cost of admin fees is genuinely hard to beat.

Spain

Spain is one of the more charming places you could possibly spend three or four years of your life, and it’s more wallet-friendly than most people expect. For non-EU international students, tuition at public universities typically ranges from €1,500 (US$1,764 to €8,000 (US$9,411) per year, with fees set by each regional government and varying by subject. EU residents pay considerably less.

Monthly living costs fall between €900 (US$1,058) and €1,100 (US$ 1,294) on average. You can bring that down significantly by avoiding Madrid and Barcelona — cities like Valencia, Seville, or Cádiz typically come in around €700 (US$823) to €900 (US$1,058) per month. 

Non-EU students can work up to 30 hours a week during term time. Spain is home to world-class institutions — the University of Barcelona, Complutense Madrid, and the University of Granada among them. The lifestyle, culture, and year-round sunshine make this a very compelling all-round package.

Hungary offers some of Europe’s most affordable tuition fees, and one of its most generous government scholarships to go with it. Source: Pexels

Hungary

Next on the list is Hungary. Hungarian universities do not offer free tuition fees but they do offer low tuition fees and various scholarship programmes to international students. Compared to Germany and France, Hungary is still ranked among the cheapest European countries to study in.

According to Mastersportal, international students pay €1,200–€5,000 per year for most English-taught degrees at public universities (last updated October 2025). Study.eu puts typical fees at €2,500 (US$2,941) –€3,000 (US$3,529) per year for general programmes, rising to around €5,000 (US$5,882) for engineering. Living costs are under €600 (US$705) per month in Budapest, and even lower in smaller university cities like Debrecen or Pécs. 

The flagship incentive is the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, a Hungarian government programme covering full tuition, dormitory accommodation, a monthly stipend of approximately €110 (US$129), and medical insurance — open to students from over 100 countries. Even without the scholarship, Hungary sits among Europe’s most affordable study destinations.

Belgium

Belgium gets overlooked, but it shouldn’t. The Flemish and Walloon governments heavily subsidise higher education, keeping fees well below what you’d expect for the quality on offer. Public universities in Flanders start from around €900 (US$1,058)per academic year for EEA students. 

For non-EEA students, fees typically run €2,500 (US$2,941) – €8,000 (US$9,411)per year depending on the programme. Monthly living costs range from €700 (US$823) –€950 (US$1,117). Student cities like Ghent, Leuven, and Liège are far cheaper than Brussels. Belgium also positions you at the heart of Europe — France, the Netherlands, and Germany are all short train rides away. 

The ARES scholarship is well worth exploring for students from developing countries, offering full- and partial-funding for advanced studies.

Poland is one of the few countries in Europe where international students can study completely free — just learn the language. Source: Pexels

Poland

Poland has quietly emerged as one of Europe’s best-value study destinations. Study in Polish and tuition is completely free, regardless of nationality. For English-taught degrees at public universities, fees start from around €2,000 (US$2,352) per year — highly competitive by any measure. 

What truly sets Poland apart is the cost of living — you’ll typically spend just €700 (US$823)  – €1,000 (US$1,176) per month all in, making it one of the most affordable places in the EU. Warsaw and Kraków are buzzing student cities with cheap public transport and strong part-time work opportunities. International students can work up to 20 hours a week during term time. Poland has full EU membership too, meaning your degree carries genuine international weight.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic offers high-quality education at genuine bargain prices. Study in Czech and you pay no tuition at all, regardless of nationality. For English-taught programmes, fees typically run between €1,000 (US$1,176) and €5,000 (US$5,882) per year depending on the university and field. Monthly living costs sit at a very manageable €350 (US$411) to €700 (US$823)/month. 

Prague is one of Europe’s most beautiful and safest capitals, yet it costs significantly less than its western equivalents. Charles University, founded in 1348, is internationally well-ranked with a solid range of English-medium programmes. Czech Technical University is a strong option for engineering and sciences. A respected Central European degree — in remarkable surroundings — at a price that won’t sting.

Portugal delivers Western European quality at Eastern European prices — with sunshine, seafood, and a student visa thrown in. Source: Pexels

Portugal

Portugal has earned its place as one of Europe’s most popular and affordable study destinations. Non-EU/EEA students at public universities typically pay between €3,000 (US$3,529) and €5,000 (US$5,882) per year, while EU/EEA students pay €1,000 (US$1,176) – €2,000 (US$2,352) per year. 

Monthly living costs sit at around €500 (US$588) – €800 (US$941) — among the lowest in Western Europe. Lisbon and Porto are pricier; smaller cities like Coimbra and Braga stretch your budget much further. The University of Porto lists fees from just €871 (US$1,024) per year. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during term. Warm weather, a welcoming culture, and a growing English-speaking international student community round out a very strong case.

Greece

Greece is the most underrated country on this list. EU/EEA students pay no tuition at Greek public universities whatsoever. Non-EU students pay low fees of around €1,500 (US$1,764) –€3,000 (US$3,529) per year on average — among the lowest in Europe. Day-to-day living costs are equally competitive. International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term and up to 40 hours over summer. 

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens offers undergraduate scholarships of up to €10,000 (US$11,764). Athens and Thessaloniki are vibrant, historically rich cities with genuinely affordable day-to-day costs. The Mediterranean climate, cheap food, and low fees make Greece a compelling choice that far too few international students seriously consider.

France

France surprises many students with its affordability, especially at public universities. EU/EEA students pay just €178 (US$209) per year for undergraduate studies in 2025/2026 — almost nothing. Non-EU students face differentiated fees, though the French government continues to cover two-thirds of the actual cost of education. 

For 2025/2026, that brings non-EU fees to €2,895 (US$3,045) per year for bachelor’s programmes and €3,941(US$4,636) for master’s at public universities. Monthly living costs vary — Paris is expensive, but Lyon, Toulouse, and Bordeaux are significantly more affordable, running €850 (US$1,000) – €1,200 (US$1,411) per month. Students also benefit from subsidised university canteen meals through the CROUS system. For what France offers — world-class universities, rich culture, and a globally respected degree — the price is remarkably reasonable.

Disclaimer: This article was updated on April 14, 2026.