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.
The cheapest countries to study in Europe:
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.
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No tuition fees regardless of nationality
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Many stipends and student jobs available
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Rich in culture and tradition
| Tuition fees for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Cost of living (per month) |
| Free | Free Note: Private universities are paid and tend to cost more. | €800 – 1,000 |
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None, or low tuition fees depending on nationality
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Affordable outside of tourist areas
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Beautiful nature, lots of things to see and explore
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.
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 €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:
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None, or low tuition fees depending on nationality
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Low cost of living
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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 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.
To cover those expenses, there are many scholarship opportunities in Slovenia that target international students, like the University of Ljubljana Zois Scholarship, Ad futura Scholarship for Study Abroad 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 30-50% 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. €2,000 – 11,000/year (Bachelor’s) €5,000 – 11,000/year (Master’s) €2,000 – 6,000/year (PhD) | €400 – 700 |
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None, or low tuition fees depending on nationality
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Low cost of living
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Warm culture, gorgeous nature and tasty food
As a 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 toSwork 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.
| Tuition fees for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens | Cost of living (per month) |
| Free | Free Note: Private universities are paid and tend to cost more. | €800 – 1,000 |
See a full breakdown of the costs of studying in Estonia:
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No tuition for PhD programs and programs in Polish
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Low cost of living
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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 €300 and €700 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 that has participated in several international student exchanges, including one in Poland.
| Tuition fees for programs in Polish | Tuition fees for programs in English (regardless of nationality) | Cost of living (per month) |
| Free | Bachelor’s: €2,000 – 3,000/year (Some majors like engineering up to €5,000) Master’s: Around €3,500 year (MBAs are €8,000-12,000/year) PhD: Free | €400 – 700 |
See a full breakdown of the costs of studying in Poland:
Find study abroad programs in Poland
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No tuition for PhD programs and programs in Polish
💶
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 €300 and €700 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 that has participated in several international student exchanges, including one in Poland.
| Tuition fees for programs in Polish | Tuition fees for programs in English (regardless of nationality) | Cost of living (per month) |
| Free | Bachelor’s: €2,000 – 3,000/year (Some majors like engineering up to €5,000) Master’s: Around €3,500 year (MBAs are €8,000-12,000/year) PhD: Free | €400 – 700 |
See a full breakdown of the costs of studying in Poland:
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