6 Countries Where Indian Students Can Study for FREE

Studying abroad for free is possible for Indian students if you choose smart countries like Germany, Norway, or tuition-free public universities in Europe. This guide will give best 6 places, real costs, eligibility, scholarships, and a simple step-by-step plan for you so that in 2026 as an Indian you can study for free in Abroad.

I’m assuming you’re an Indian student who is dreaming of studying abroad. Maybe in Europe, maybe a safe country with good jobs and a global future. But then you look at fees. ₹20 lakh… ₹30 lakh… ₹50 lakh. You close tab and think,

“Is studying abroad only for rich families?”

Good news.

No, it isn’t.

There are countries where education is free, even for Indian students. Public universities in Germany, Norway, and a few other European nations charge ₹0 tuition fee. What you pay for is only your living cost which you can partly manage through smart budgeting and part-time work.

But! There’s a catch.

Most students miss opportunities not because they are weak… but because they don’t know the deadlines, documents, visa rules, or the correct strategy.

That’s why I’ve written this guide like I’m talking directly to you.

Short sentences. Simple words. Real examples. Updated 2025 rules. Comparison tables. And a step-by-step plan that removes confusion completely.

If your goal is:

“Study abroad without spending lakhs on tuition”

…then this article will save you time, money, and stress.

Let’s begin.

What Does “Free Education” Actually Mean for Indian Students?

Straightforward Answer

 Free education means zero tuition fees. But what about the money you need to pay for food, rent, travel, basic living, these are not free you will have to pay your living costs. Remember only your tuition fees is zero for rest you still have to plan for any given country.

So the answer to Are Indian Students Eligible to Study for Free in foreign universities or Is Study abroad free for Indian students? - Yes you can. As long as you plan to study in public universities of Germany or Norway, you dont' have to pay your tution fee. Another option is that you have some sort of scholarship which covers everything like tution fee, living cost, visa, air travel, etc for you while you study abroad. 

Simple Breakdown

• Tuition fee: ₹0

• Living cost: ₹70,000 - ₹1,30,000 per month (depending on country)

• Visa + travel: One-time cost

• Part-time work: 20 hours/week allowed in most countries

Hidden Costs You Must Know

• Blocked account (Germany)

• Health insurance

• One-time semester contribution (₹10,000 - ₹30,000 in Germany)

• Local language classes

• Hostel deposit / housing deposit

Real Example

An Indian student in Germany pays zero tuition, but needs around €1,000 - 1,200 (₹90,000 - 1,10,000) per month to survive.

Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad in 2025/26

Still we found there are some best fully funded scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad in 2025 that cover your living cost, tution fee, health insurace and even cost of your flight ticket. I have linked that detailed article for you. Feel free to explore it to know more about such fully funded scholarship for Indian students to Study Abroad. You can also check with your respective Shiksha Study abroad counsellor if you are eligible for them or not. They will genuinely help you without charging anything extra for it. 

Scholarship/Program	Coverage	Destination(s)	Eligibility	Application Deadline	Special Notes
DAAD Scholarship	Tuition, living, travel, insurance	Germany	Graduates, postgrads, strong academics	Varies yearly	For Masters/PhD, all nationalities
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees	Tuition, stipend, travel	Multiple EU countries	Bachelors, open to all nationalities	Oct-Jan (annual)	Highly competitive, Masters focus
Fulbright Foreign Student Program	Tuition, living, airfare	USA	Country-specific, merit-based	Varies (per country)	Masters/PhD, requires home country return
Chevening Scholarships (UK)	Tuition, living, flights	UK	Bachelors, strong academics, leadership	Nov (annual)	Masters only, future leaders
Destination Australia Scholarship	Tuition, living	Australia	Selected countries, grads, merit	April (annual)	Masters/Research, return obligation
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	Tuition, living, airfare, visa, health, additional funding	UK (Cambridge)	Non-UK citizens, exceptional academics	Oct-Dec (annual)	Covers full cost, all levels
Aga Khan Foundation Int’l Scholarship	Tuition, living, research	Any country	Developing country citizens, postgrad	March (annual)	50% grant/50% loan, very competitive
Global UGRAD, Humphrey Fellowship, etc.	Tuition, monthly stipend for living expense, international airfare (round-trip), health insurace, books and supplies	USA	Undergrads (UGRAD), Professionals (Humphrey). India is not eligible. Only ~50 countries are included.	Varies	Short-term exchange options
Public University Tuition-Free Programs	Tuition (sometimes living)	Germany, Norway, France, Austria, Czechia	All (some country restrictions)	Rolling	May require local language proficiency
MPOWER	Partial or full funding	USA, Canada, Europe	Various, incl. Indian nationals	Year-round	Amount varies, sometimes targeted fields

Best Countries Where Indian Students Can Study Abroad for Free (2025 List)

We’ll focus only on countries where tuition is genuinely free or nearly free for Indian students.

How Much Will You Actually Spend Per Month? 

#1 Germany - The Most Popular Free Education Destination

• Public universities = no tuition fee

• Strong for Engineering, Computer Science, Management

• Safe, modern, globally respected

• 18-month job search visa after graduation

Costs to Expect and Manage

• Tuition: ₹0

• Living: ₹90,000 - ₹1,10,000 per month

• Semester fee: ₹12,000 - ₹35,000 per semester

• Blocked Account for visa: €11,208 - €12,000 (varies yearly)

• Insurance: €80 - €120/month

Expense Category	Cost per Month (€)	Cost per Month (₹)	Notes
Accommodation	€350 - €550	₹32,000 - ₹50,000	Shared flat / student dorm; solo is costlier
Food & Groceries	€200 - €300	₹18,000 - ₹27,000	Cheaper if you cook at home
Health Insurance	€80 - €120	₹7,000 - ₹11,000	Mandatory for all students
Public Transport	€30 - €60	₹2,700 - ₹5,500	Depends on region; student discounts available
Study Materials	€20 - €40	₹1,800 - ₹3,600	Books, stationery, printing
Mobile & Internet	€20 - €30	₹1,800 - ₹2,700	SIM + WiFi share
Personal Expenses	€100 - €200	₹9,000 - ₹18,000	Clothes, outings, gym, misc.
TOTAL	€850 - €1,100	₹90,000 - ₹1,10,000	Typical monthly cost for most cities

Language

• Many Masters in English

• UG mostly in German

Important Notes for Indian Students Planning to Study in Germany for free

• South & East Germany (Leipzig, Jena, Dresden) = cheaper.

• Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart = expensive.

• Cooking at home saves ₹8,000 - ₹12,000/month.

• Shared rooms reduce rent by 30 - 40%.

• Health insurance is mandatory, not optional.

#2 Norway - Free for Everyone Even Non EU Students

Why Choose Norway? Can Indian students study in Norway for free?

Yes. Norway has 100% free studies in public universities for all everyone. All you need to pay is your cost of living.

• Zero tuition fee for all

• High-quality education

• English-taught programs increasing

Costs to Expect

• Living: ₹1,20,000 - ₹1,60,000 per month (managable with part time work)

• Weather: Very cold, long winters

Expense Category	Cost per Month (NOK)	Cost per Month (₹)	Notes
Accommodation	6,000 - 9,500 NOK	₹45,000 - ₹73,000	Shared housing; Oslo is costliest
Food & Groceries	4,000 - 6,000 NOK	₹30,000 - ₹45,000	Eating out is very expensive
Transport	500 - 800 NOK	₹3,800 - ₹6,200	Student monthly passes available
Health Insurance	500 - 800 NOK	₹3,800 - ₹6,200	Mandatory, varies by plan
Mobile & Internet	250 - 400 NOK	₹1,900 - ₹3,100	High-quality but pricey
Study Materials	300 - 500 NOK	₹2,300 - ₹4,000	Books, printing, supplies
Personal Expenses	2,000 - 3,000 NOK	₹15,000 - ₹23,000	Clothes, outings, gym, etc.
TOTAL	13,550 - 20,000 NOK	₹1,20,000 - ₹1,60,000	Typical monthly cost

Best For

Students who want top-quality education and can handle slightly higher living costs.

Important Notes for Indian Students planning to Study in Norway for free

• Tuition is 100% free in public universities, but living cost is among the highest in Europe.

• Part-time jobs pay well (180 - 220 NOK/hour) but can be competitive.

• Winter essentials (heat, clothing) add extra cost.

• Cities like Tromso and Bergen are cheaper than Oslo.

#3 Finland - Free for Some, Scholarship-Friendly for All

Can Indian students study in Finland for free?

Education is not fully free, but Indian students get large scholarships (50 - 100%).

Quick Facts

• Tuition is paid for English-taught programs

• BUT Finland offers 100% scholarships for top applicants

• Many Indian students get partial/ full fee waivers

Cost of Living

• ₹85,000 - ₹1,20,000 per month

Expense Category	Cost per Month (€)	Cost per Month (₹)	Notes
Accommodation	€350 - €600	₹32,000 - ₹55,000	Cheaper in Turku, Tampere; Helsinki = expensive
Food & Groceries	€250 - €350	₹23,000 - ₹32,000	Cooking at home saves 20 - 30%
Transport	€40 - €60	₹3,500 - ₹5,500	Discounts for full-time students
Health Insurance	€40 - €70	₹3,500 - ₹6,200	Mandatory for residence permit
Mobile & Internet	€20 - €30	₹1,800 - ₹2,700	Usually shared in student housing
Study Materials	€20 - €40	₹1,800 - ₹3,600	Books, printing, stationery
Personal Expenses	€150 - €250	₹14,000 - ₹23,000	Outings, gym, winter clothing
TOTAL	€900 - €1,200	₹85,000 - ₹1,20,000	Typical monthly cost

Ideal For

Tech, AI, Business, IT students.

Important Notes for Indian Students planning to study free in Finland

• Winter clothing adds an upfront cost (~ €200 - €300 once).

• Cities like Helsinki are the costliest; Tampere, Vaasa, Oulu are cheaper.

• Scholarships reduce tuition but not living cost.

• Student meals at university cafeterias are very affordable (€2 - €3 per meal).

#4 Austria - Low Tuition Fees and Low Living Cost

Why Austria Works? Is Austria cheap country for Indian students?

Yes. Austria is one of Europe most underrated study abroad destinations for international student. They choose it because,

• Studying at Austrian public universities cost around almost ₹25,000 - ₹60,000 per semester

• Cost of living in Austria is way less than Germany living cost. Living cost in Austria is approx. ₹65,000 - ₹90,000 per month

• Country is safe, beatiful, and student friendly

Living Cost

₹65,000 - ₹90,000 per month

Expense Category	Cost per Month (€)	Cost per Month (₹)	Notes
Accommodation	€350 - €550	₹32,000 - ₹50,000	Cheaper in Graz, Linz; Vienna = costliest
Food & Groceries	€250 - €350	₹23,000 - ₹32,000	Cooking saves 20 - 30%
Transport	€25 - €51	₹2,300 - ₹4,700	Student travel passes available
Health Insurance	€65 - €90	₹6,000 - ₹8,000	Mandatory for international students
Mobile & Internet	€15 - €25	₹1,400 - ₹2,300	Affordable and good quality
Study Materials	€20 - €40	₹1,800 - ₹3,600	Books and printing
Personal Expenses	€100 - €200	₹9,000 - ₹18,000	Clothes, outings, gym, etc.
TOTAL	€900 - €1,300	₹65,000 - ₹90,000	Average monthly cost

Important for Indian Students planning to Study for free in Austria

• Vienna is the costliest but it is still cheaper than other Western Europe cities like Paris or Amsterdam.

• Student dorms (OJAB, OeAD housing) are much cheaper than private flats.

• Austria is very safe and has excellent public transport.

• Part time jobs are easily available in bigger cities.

#5 Czech Republic - Completely Free If You are ready to learn in Czech

Can Indian students study for free in Czech Republic?

Yes if you know Czech language your tuition is free. You are charged if you want to study in English.

Facts

• Tuition: ₹0; for courses taught in Czech
• English courses: These are paid and will cost around ₹4 - 7 lakh/year

Expense Category	Cost per Month (CZK)	Cost per Month (₹)	Notes
Accommodation	8,000 - 12,000 CZK	₹28,000 - ₹42,000	Shared flats & dorms more affordable; Prague = costlier
Food & Groceries	4,000 - 6,000 CZK	₹14,000 - ₹21,000	Cooking reduces costs significantly
Transport	300 - 550 CZK	₹1,000 - ₹2,000	Excellent & cheap student transport
Health Insurance	1,000 - 1,500 CZK	₹3,500 - ₹5,000	Mandatory for international students
Mobile & Internet	300 - 500 CZK	₹1,000 - ₹1,800	Affordable plans
Study Materials	300 - 600 CZK	₹1,000 - ₹2,200	Books & stationery
Personal Expenses	2,000 - 3,500 CZK	₹7,000 - ₹12,000	Outings, gym, clothes, misc.
TOTAL	15,900 - 24,650 CZK	₹60,000 - ₹90,000	Typical monthly cost

Best For

Students who can learn Czech language.

Important Notes for Indian Students planning to study for free in Czech Republic

• One of the cheapest countries in Europe for students.

• Prague is expensive; cities like Brno, Ostrava, Plzen are much cheaper.

• If you study in Czech language tuition is FREE in public universities.

• Student discounts are generous: meals, transport & cultural activities.

• Easy to find shared accommodation below 10,000 CZK in non-capital cities.

#6 France - Not Fully Free Still Very Affordable

Reason Why France is Popular

• Public university in France has low tuition fee. It cost almost ₹25,000 - ₹50,000 each year

• Scholarships are available to students

• 2 year post study work visa after your masters

Living Cost

Approx. ₹75,000 - ₹1,00,000 per month depending on city you choose

Expense Category	Cost per Month (€)	Cost per Month (₹)	Notes
Accommodation	€400 - €700	₹36,000 - ₹63,000	Paris is expensive; smaller cities like Lille, Lyon, Nantes are cheaper
Food & Groceries	€200 - €300	₹18,000 - ₹27,000	Cooking at home saves money
Transport	€30 - €75	₹2,700 - ₹6,800	Monthly passes depend on city
Health Insurance	€20 - €40	₹1,800 - ₹3,600	Affordable student health coverage
Mobile & Internet	€15 - €30	₹1,400 - ₹2,700	Low-cost SIM plans
Study Materials	€20 - €40	₹1,800 - ₹3,600	Books, printing, supplies
Personal Expenses	€120 - €200	₹10,000 - ₹18,000	Clothes, outings, gym, misc.
TOTAL	€900 - €1,250	₹75,000 - ₹1,00,000	Typical monthly cost

Important Notes for Indian Students planning to study free in France

• Paris is 25 - 40% more expensive than other French cities.

• Public universities have low tuition fees.

• You will get pocket friendly food at CROUS cafeterias (approx. €3 per meal).

• Plenty of part time work options in bigger cities.

• 2 year Post Study Work Visa after completing masters.

What are the eligibility requirements for Indians to study abroad for free?

Basic Requirements

• 12th pass for UG / Bachelor’s for PG

• English test: IELTS / TOEFL

• Language test (if required): German, Czech, etc.

• Valid passport

• Sufficient proof of funds

• Statement of Purpose

• Academic transcripts

Who Gets Accepted Easily?

• Students with 65%+ in academics

• Students with clear purpose (SOP matters a lot)

• Students with early applications

How much money do I as Indian students need to study for free abroad?

Here’s a realistic monthly budget across different countries for the Indians:

Annual cost: ₹8 - 14 lakh
Visa proof: depend on country (e.g., Germany Blocked Account).

How Indian Students Can Cut Costs While Studying Abroad

Smart Tricks and Proven Money Saving Tricks

• Live in smaller cities which have cheaper rent

• Cook food at home instead outside (save ₹15k - ₹25k)

• Use student travel passes train or bus

• Share accommodation with your friends (save ₹20k - ₹30k)

• Apply early for scholarships

• Learn basic local language. This will make local interaction and getting part time jobs easier.

How To Apply to Free Education Countries for Indian Students

Here's a Step By Step 90 Days Plan to Study Abroad with Zero Tuition Fees

Phase	Days	Action Steps
Research	Day 1 - 15	Pick 2 - 3 countries List top 10 universities Check deadlines
Prepare	Day 16 - 45	Book IELTS Draft SOP Collect documents Shortlist programs
Apply	Day 46 - 75	Submit online applications Pay registration fees (if any) Track application status
Visa Prep	Day 75 - 90	Arrange financial proof Book visa appointment

Common Mistakes THAT Indian Students Should Avoid

• Applying late for visa or scholarship

• Ignoring language requirements while applying

• Choosing expensive cities to live

• Not checking latest visa rules for thier country

• Blindly trusting agents and not researching anything on their end

• Not calculating real cost of living

If Given a Chance Should You Study Abroad for Free?

Yes if you:

• Want world class education

• Can afford cost of living in the country

• Are ready to learn a new language

• Want to work abroad once your graduation complete

No if you:

• Cannot afford initial blocked account

• Don’t want to adapt to new culture

• Want only English speaking environments

Studying abroad for free is 100% possible for Indian students. Germany and Norway are the strongest options for you. Other countries like Finland, Austria, France, and Czech Republic also offer affordable places to study. If you are planning smartly, applying early, budgeting well you can build a global career without huge tuition fees.

Free vs Low Cost Education Countries

Country	Tuition Fee	Is English OK?	Living Cost	Difficulty Level	Best For
Germany	0	Yes	Mid	Easy	STEM, MS
Norway	0	Yes	High	Moderate	Tech, Research
Finland	Variable	Yes	Mid	Competitive	CS, Design
Austria	Low	Yes	Mid	Easy	Business, Arts
Czech	Free (Czech)	No	Low	Hard	MBBS, Engg
France	Low	Yes	High	Moderate	Management

What Are Key Changes in 2025/26 for Free Education Abroad?

Country	Major Update(s) in 2025/26	Implication for Indian Students
Germany	Public universities remain tuition-free for most international students (incl. non-EU) at public institutions; semester contributions (~€250-€350) remain. (https://www.universityliving.com/blog/student-finances/cost-of-studying-in-germany/) Also: new visa-fee waiver agreement for Indian students reported (gratis visa) for short-term/academic exchanges. (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/study-abroad/you-can-study-in-germany-without-paying-a-visa-fee-heres-how/articleshow/123935950.cms)	Very good: Indian students can still expect zero tuition at many public universities; living cost remains the main expense. The visa fee waiver is a bonus (check if full degree students qualify).
Norway	Big change: Norway ended universal free tuition for non-EU/EEA students. From 2025 many non-EU students must pay tuition fees at public universities. (https://www.imfs.co.in/norway-2025-the-ultimate-tuition-fee-guide-for-students/) Also: Government proposed letting universities set their own fees for non-Europe students. (https://thepienews.com/norway-proposes-heis-set-their-fees-for-non-europe-students-amid-concerns/)	Warning alert: For Indian (non-EU) students, “tuition-free” status is no longer automatic. You’ll need to check program-specific tuition. Important to highlight this change.
Finland	Although full data for 2025 was less prominent, existing structure remains: non-EU/EEA students pay tuition in many English-taught programmes, but generous scholarships exist.	For Indian students: still not guaranteed free tuition; you’ll need to target scholarship-waived programmes or those taught in local language. Needs emphasising.
Austria	For non-EU/EEA students (incl. Indian) public universities now charge about €726.72 per semester (≈ €1,453 per year) for tuition + small administrative/union fee. (https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/tuition-fee/amount-tuition-fee/) Living cost estimates for 2025: ~€950-€1,100/month. (https://education.ec.europa.eu/study-in-europe/countries/austria)	Good but note: it’s low-cost, not tuition-free. Make sure Indian students are aware they’ll pay modest tuition. The “free” narrative should be adjusted accordingly.
Czech Republic	Update for academic year 2025/26: In English-taught/self-pay programmes non-EU students pay tuition—e.g., at UCT Prague Bachelor/Master English programmes: 79 200 CZK (~€3,300) or 6,000 EUR/yr for some programmes. (https://study.vscht.cz/studying-at-uct/tuition-fees) Czech-language programmes remain tuition-free for all nationalities.	Key point for Indian students: to study free you must enrol in a Czech-language programme. If you choose English-taught, expect fees. Must make this clear.
France	2025/26 update: For non-EU students (which includes Indian) at public universities: Bachelor’s (Licence) ~ €2,895/year, Master’s ~ €3,941/year. Doctorate programmes: €397. (https://www.campusfrance.org/en/tuition-fees-France)	Huge clarity: France is very low-cost but not completely free for Indian students. The “free tuition” wording must be replaced with “very low tuition” in France.