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Study in Europe for free (or low tuition fees)

Europe offers plenty of affordable study options for international students. In many countries, education is free for European students. And there are even some places where non-European students can study for free.

Read on and find out where you can study on the cheap - even if you do not receive a scholarship or a bank loan.

Overview: Where can you attend university for free?

With very few exceptions, these are the countries in Europe that offer free tuition at their public universities:

Austria

• Tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA
• Tuition fees around 1,500 EUR per year for students from other countries

Tuition at public universities is free for Europeans that want to study in Austria. Non-Europeans are charged a still very affordable 1,500 euros per year.

Cyprus

• Tuition fees for EU/EEA students: Bachelors tuition-free, Masters ca. 4,100 to 10,250 EUR per year
• Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students: Bachelors ca. around 3,500 to 7,000 EUR per year, Masters ca. 10,000 EUR

This island in the Mediterranean is becoming a popular choice among international students seeking quality education, a wide variety of English-taught degrees, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Denmark

• Tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA
• Tuition fees around 60,000 - 135,000 DKK per year (8,000 - 18,000 EUR) for students from other countries

Denmark is a popular country for European students because it offers free tuition at high standards. Non-European international students pay up to 18,000 euros per year. Read more about tuition fees in Denmark.

Finland

• Tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA
• Tuition fees around 6,000 - 20,000 EUR per year for students from other countries

Since summer 2017, universities in Finland have been charging tuition fees to non-European students. The costs are set by the universities and range between 6,000 and 20,000 euros per year. Citizens from the European Union and EEA continue to study for free in Finland. Read more about tuition fees in Finland.

France

• Almost tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA
• Tuition fees around 2,900 - 3,900 EUR per year for students from other countries

With world-class education, and more and more Bachelor and Master programmes offered in English, France attracts a large number of international students every year. Aside from a negligible registration fee, most public universities in France charge between 250 and 600 EUR per year to Europeans. Internationals pay also relatively modest annual fees of ca. 2,900 EUR for Bachelors and 3,900 EUR for Masters. Vive la France! Read more: Details about tuition fees in France.

Germany

• Tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA
• Tuition-free for students from other countries (Except in the state of Baden-Württemberg)

Germany is one of the most popular countries for international students. With the exception of a few private universities, you can study in Germany for free - regardless if you are from Europe or elsewhere. There is usually a small administrative semester fee, but in many places this also covers a public transport ticket at the fraction of its usual price.

Since 2017, non-EU/EEA students pay 1,500 EUR per semester for their tuition fees at public universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg. That includes universities in Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Freiburg, Heidelberg, etc. Since 2023, public universities in the state of Bavaria can also charge fees from non-EU/EEA students, but most choose not to do so.

Greece

• Tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA
• Tuition fees around 1,500 EUR per year for students from other countries

One of the sunnier places, Greece offers free education to all Europeans. And the cost for international students also low, at around 1,500 EUR per year. Combined with relatively low cost of living, Greece is among the more affordable study abroad destinations.

Norway

• Tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA
• Tuition fees between 15,000 and 34,000 EUR per year for students from other countries
  

Universities in Norway offer free education to students who are citizens of the EU/EEA. Since 2023, students from other countries have to pay comparably high tuition fees of roughly between €15,000 and €34,000 per year depending on university and programme. On top of that, Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world. So make sure to compare not just the fees, but also the living expenses to other countries you are considering. Even if you have to pay fees elsewhere, it might still be cheaper overall than Norway.

Poland

• Tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA, limited amount of degrees
• Tuition fees between 2,000 to 8,000 EUR per year for students from other countries

Poland is a very affordable country for students. Can EU/EEA citizens study in Poland for free? Yes, there are a few tuition-free programmes available in English, however you must take into account that at public universities most of the degrees will be taught in Polish. So the short answer is: Yes! Long one: That depends. Read more here.

Slovenia

• Tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, the Republics of Macedonia and Serbia. 
• Tuition fees around 5,000 EUR per year for students from other countries

Slovenia is among the less-explored study abroad destinations. Most universities offer free tuition for Europeans and a few additional countries from the Balkans, while for other international students it can cost around 5,000 EUR per year.

Sweden

• Tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA
• Tuition fees around 80,000 - 200,000 SEK per year (7,500 - 18,000 EUR)

Europeans can study in Sweden for free. Other international students should expect hefty fees when studying in Sweden, combined with relatively high cost of living.

 

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