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Cheapest European Country to Study

Writer's picture: ShahidShahid

Studying abroad is a dream for many students, but the cost of education acts as a deterrent for them to study abroad, particularly in countries which have very expensive tuition and high living cost. If you can’t afford the high fees of universities in North America and Western Europe, it is tough to overcome the financials of studying abroad. Many potential international students have to abandon their dream of such a global education.


However, there are some quality alternatives of Europe where you can get quality education at amazing value for money. For young, budget conducive people, Europe has a number of countries that are affordable in terms of tuition fees and living costs. This enables the students to choose the right destination and get a world class education without bearing a heavy financial stress.

Cheapest European Country to Study

Top 10 Cheapest European Country to Study

Studying in Europe is a dream for many students, but the cost of education can be a major concern. Luckily, some European countries offer high-quality education at surprisingly low costs, making them an excellent choice for international students. If you’re looking for the cheapest European country to study, where tuition fees are low and living expenses are affordable, this guide will help you explore the best options. Finding a budget-friendly university in Europe can make studying abroad more accessible and less stressful financially.


1. Germany


Germany’s education system is known to be affordable. Public universities in Germany charge little to no tuition fees for international students, especially at the undergraduate level. The truth is Germany is one of the cheapest countries to study higher education in Europe.


  • Tuition: All public universities except a few are free for the students but semesters cost changes and includes administrative costs and in some cases transportation cost as well. The amount of the fee is usually between €100 and €350 per semester.

  • Cost of living: Living in Germany is quite cheap as it is, even when compared to other western European countries. The price of living is between €700 and €1,000 per month depending on where in the city. The student accommodation is readily available and rents are lower in smaller cities.

  • Total Estimated Yearly Cost: Living expenses combined with the occasional university fee makes the total cost around €8,400 - €12,000 per year.


Germany has a strong economy and world-famous universities which is why international students choose to come to Germany. There are many institutions where students can pursue degrees in English, especially if they are pursuing courses in engineering, business or the sciences.


2. Austria


Austria’s education system is of high standard and the tuition fees are affordable. Many students opt for Austria as it is situated in central Europe and it has a rich cultural heritage. The University of Vienna is internationally well-known among universities.

  • Tuition: Tuition is usually €1,500 per year for non-EU students in public universities. But not all universities have discounted fees for students from certain countries, such as EU students who pay less anyway.

  • living costs: €800 to €1,100 a month (depending on where you live, what you eat etc. including rent, food and leisure). A little more expensive, but the capital Vienna may be.

  • Total Estimated Yearly Cost: The total estimated cost per year is €9,600 to €14,200 for international students.


Studying in Austria is one of the best opportunities because of the high standard of living and modern facilities, good health care and excellent public transport. Apart from that, Austria is equally cheaper as they offer scholarships and student discounts.


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3. Poland


More and more international students are choosing Poland as their study destination. The city boasts rich cultural history and a low cost of living while standards of education are high, with areas like engineering, medicine, and business being excellent.


  • Tuition Fees: The tuition fees for international students would be varying between €2,000 to €5,000 per year, depending upon the program and university. There are scholarships and many times students in Poland can attend Ph.D. programs tuition free.

  • Cost of Living: Poland has one of the lowest cost of living in Europe. Students can live comfortably with a budget of €400 to €700 per month. Accommodation in Poland is also affordable, especially in smaller cities outside the capital, Warsaw.

  • Tuition and Living Costs: Tuition and living costs come to about €5,600 to €11,400 per year.


Poland is a good place for new arrivals as the international student community is growing. The country is rich in culture and history and student activities are vibrant in cities like Kraków and Wrocław.


4. Hungary


For students who are after the cheapest education in Europe, Hungary is a hidden gem. The country is a good choice with low tuition fees, reasonable living costs and high-quality education at Eötvös Loránd University and the University of Szeged.


  • Tuition: The tuition fees for international students range from 1.200 to 5000 € per year, depending on the program and the university. The medical programs are at the top end of the fee range.

  • Cost of Living: Hungary is one of the most affordable countries in Europe when it comes to living costs. Living in Berlin is very cheap and affordable, there is a lot of affordable housing, food, transportation and so on and so forth, students can live on as low as 500€ or 800€ per a month.

  • Total Estimated Yearly Cost: it costs around €6,400 to €13,600 per year.


Apart from affordable costs, Hungary also has a student life and its capital, Budapest, is among the most beautiful cities of Europe. Furthermore, it has a lot of cultural and historical significance that affords the students the opportunity to explore.


5. Czech Republic | Affordable European Country to Study


Another affordable destination for international students looking for science, engineering and medicine is the Czech Republic. The country has some of Europe’s oldest universities, including Charles University in Prague.


  • Tuition: There is a range of tuition fees of €1,000 – €6,000 per year in Czech, depending on the program and study mode (in Czech or in English).

  • Cost of living: The cost of living in the Czech Republic is very reasonable. For example, the cost of living is low in Prague or Brno and students spend about €500–€700 per month.

  • Total Estimated Yearly Cost: €6,000 €13,400 per year.


With the high standard of living, great academic opportunities and vibrate culture, the Czech Republic is an excellent choice for the international students.


6. Spain


Spain is a country with cheap education, richness of cultural heritage and warm climate, and that is why it is so popular among international students. Spain also houses some of Europe’s best universities including the University of Barcelona and Complutense University of Madrid.


  • Tuition: International students will pay between €1,000 – €3,500 a year for tuition fees for Undergraduate programs. The more expensive ones usually are graduate programs such as business and medicine.

  • Cost of Living: In Granada and Seville, living in Spain is quite cheap. It is estimated that students will spend between €600 to €1,000 a month on average.

  • Total Estimated Yearly Cost: The cost of studying in Spain is €7,200 to €15,000 per year.


Spain also has good quality of life, world class universities and a vibrant student life. However, its appeal is further enhanced by the Mediterranean climate as it is the ideal choice for students to combine academics with leisure.


7. Lithuania


Lithuania is becoming increasingly attractive to international students as the country has low tuition fees, low living costs and high quality of education. The country’s universities provide many programs in English and Lithuanian.


  • Tuition: The tuition fees for an international student is between €2000 - €4000 per year.

  • Cost of Living: The cost of living is very affordable and the average rent and food and leisure expenses are around €400 – €600 per month.

  • Total Estimated Yearly Cost: Students in Lithuania will spend around €5,600 – €10,800.


Lithuania is a safe place to be and students will find that the capital Vilnius is a popular hub for students as it is a vibrant cultural place with an affordable lifestyle.


8. Latvia


Another affordable European destination which makes it attractive for international students is Latvia. Studying in the country is quite cheap compared to western Europe and the country offers quality education especially in business, engineering, and law.


  • Tuition: International students pay a Tuition Fee for a course per year ranging from €2,000 to €6,000.

  • Cost of Living: Latvia is very cheap when it comes to living expenses. Students living in cities like Riga can be living on as little as €500 and as much as €800 per month.

  • Total Estimated Yearly Cost: The total cost of studying in Latvia is €6,000 to €13,600 per year.


It is an excellent choice for students since Latvia offers a growing international student community, a safe environment, and a beautiful historical landscape.


9. Estonia


Estonia is one of the most special study destinations in Europe. Estonia is known for its innovative digital society and the focus on technology, is affordable in terms of tuition fees and has a high standard of living.


  • Tuition: Tuition fees in Estonia are likely to be in the range of €2,000 to €8,000 per year depending on the university as well as the course.

  • Cost of Living: The cost of living in Estonia is low. For students, it will cost around €800 to €1,000 per month.

  • Total Estimated Yearly Cost: Around € 8,400 to € 13,000.


Estonia is an excellent place to study IT, engineering and business related subjects as it boasts excellent digital infrastructure and a vibrant tech scene and a friendly student community.


10. Slovakia


One of the hidden gems in Central Europe, Slovakia offers affordable tuition fees and good standard of education. The output in research and educational programs in areas such as engineering, science and technology is becoming more and more recognized in its universities.


  • Tuition: Tuition fees are generally between € 2,000 – € 6,000 per year, it will depend on the program and the university.

  • Cost of living: Slovaks are privileged to enjoy a very low cost of living. Living as a student in Bratislava or Košice costs €400 – €700 per month.

  • Total Estimated Yearly Cost: The total yearly estimated cost of studying in Slovakia is €5,600 – €12,400 (tuition plus living expenses).


The reasons why Slovakia is such an attractive place for students, are the long history of heritage, beautiful natural landscapes and friendly people. This is a great choice for students on a budget as living costs are affordable and education is of high quality.


Conclusion


All in all, Europe is a wonderful place to find for an international student to study abroad but worried about the expensive fee of tuition and living expenses. If you are looking for Germany with tuition free education, Poland and Hungary with low cost of living, there are a lot of affordable destinations with top notch education in a rich and educating environment. Regardless of your field of specialization, engineering, business, or medicine, European country that will meet your academic and financial requirements exist.


The special mix of cultural experiences, student friendly cities and affordable living offered by each of these cheapest European countries to study in 2025 makes it easier for one to have a study abroad experience without having to break the bank. An important decision to make, is choosing the right destination, which will give you the opportunity to study and live in Europe at the same time. When you decide to take your decision, consider all the factors such as tuition fees, living costs, and scholarships.


All the best to your studies and a perfect and inexpensive academic life in Europe!

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