Europe is one of the top study-abroad destinations among international students. Europe is renowned for its high quality of education, which is offered at lower fees and is a world full of opportunities. This article sheds light on the cheapest countries in Europe for international students to study abroad. 

Europe is considered a highly attractive destination for international students due to its high-quality education, a diverse range of universities with prestigious reputations, affordable tuition fees in many countries, vibrant student life, and the opportunity to explore multiple cultures across the continent, along with other aspects like the possibility of getting a Schengen visa and having all top countries in the making it a great choice for a study abroad experience. However, due to being home to many top study abroad destinations like the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, etc. the cost of studying and living in these countries may be of concern for international students.

Students unwilling to put up with the higher costs of studying and living in these countries need not worry as they may also look to get enrolled into the public universities of these countries to significantly reduce their tuition fees. However, this also comes with a condition, students who get their degree from free/public universities need to return to their home countries after the completion of their studies (check whether this condition is applicable in the country of your choice too). So, to ease students out of this stress, in this article, we have covered the list of the cheapest countries to study in Europe for international students. 

Also Read: 

• Study in Europe without IELTS
• Checklist Before Going to Study in Europe

Top 5 Cheapest Countries in Europe to Study Abroad

Generally, universities in countries with weak economies tend to have lower tuition fees than most other universities located in countries with stronger economies. However, a weak economy and lower fees do not necessarily promise quality education. 

So, for this reason, in this article, we have listed some of the cheapest countries in Europe for Indian students with good universities to study abroad for Indian and international students. 

1. Norway

As per several student surveys, the teaching staff and the university services in Norway are excellent. The quality of education provided in Norway is one of its kind and there is no difference in the tuition fee at public universities in Norway for domestic and international students. 

Even though the country’s official language is Norwegian, international students need not worry as most courses and specialisations are taught in English giving international students the freedom to choose the course of their choice and establish a career in the same. 

Ranked 9th in the Education Rank (WT20 2024) by the World Population Review, the Norwegian education system is one of the best education systems in the world. There is zero or no cost of studying in Norway at public universities however, studying at private universities may cost you in the range of 7000-10,000 EUR per year. 

The most notable alumni out of the Norwegian universities include Edvard Moser and May-Britt Moser (Nobel Prize winner), Kristian Birkeland (Physicist who contributed to the fields of space plasma physics, geomagnetism and even elucidated on the nature of aurora borealis), and many more. The top 5 universities in Norway with an average fee structure are given in the table below. 

2. Germany

Germany is world-renowned for its high quality of education and research facilities especially in the fields of engineering, science and humanities. It is one of the most sought-after study abroad destinations among the major ones like Canada, the USA, Australia, and the UK. This is because Germany’s most public higher education institutions are free of cost, i.e. they don’t charge any tuition fees from students. For pursuing a PhD in Germany, students are even provided with a sufficient stipend as well. 

To add to the reason why Germany is a favourite study abroad destination among international students, more and more universities in Germany teach in English rather than solely in German. This allows international students to choose the program of their interest without limiting themselves based on the language barrier. 

Some of the common eligibility requirements to get into the bachelor’s degree at a university in Germany include: 

• Taking an IB, GCE or other internationally recognised exam with the required subject combinations.
• Getting a good rank on the IIT JEE exam for getting into a technology-based or natural sciences-related program.
• Completing a year at a home institution in a relevant higher education program
• Passing the Feststellungsprüfung exam which is a qualification assessment exam.

On the other hand, postgraduate requirements include having a relevant 4-year bachelor’s degree. However, if your bachelor’s degree is 3 years long then, you must connect with your university counsellor. 

German universities have given the top scientists and several significant personalities to the world like J. Willard Gibbs (Father of Physical Chemistry), Karl Drais (the inventor of the two-wheeler principle), Alfred Wegener (discovered continental drift), Gottlieb Daimler (inventor of automobiles) and many more. With top-quality research facilities and a hub of scientific and other experts in their fields, students at German universities can explore a world full of opportunities and even get to work on the most significant research projects in the world. Check out the top 5 universities in Germany, their rankings and fees below.

3. France

The cost of higher education in France is subsidised by the French government which is why, the cost of studying in France is also extremely affordable like in Germany. In most instances, students only have to arrange the funds required for their living expenses in the country. However, international students like Indians can also expect several scholarships provided to them if they have a good academic profile. The average cost of studying for most non-EU international students (including Indians) in France ranges from €2,850 per year to €3,879 per year for UG and PG courses respectively.

Earlier, international students who were comfortable studying only in English had a limitation in that they could only choose from a definite list of courses available in English. But with the introduction of Classes Internationales, international students can now learn and get trained in the French language to a level that makes them eligible to undertake any degree in French. This strategic move increased the number of international students going to study in France and also increased the number of available courses to them. 

A total of 4 French cities have been listed in the QS Best Student Cities 2025 list with Paris at #7 position making it rank among the top 10 student cities in the world to study abroad. Some of the most renowned alumni out of French universities include Marie Curie (Physicist, Chemist and the first woman Noble Prize winner), Louis Pasteur (discovered the Pasteur Effect), Georges Charpak (Physicist, Noble Prize Winner), Alain Connes (Mathematician, Field Award Winner) and many others. Here is the list of the top 5 universities in France, their rankings and average fees. 

4. North Macedonia

Studying in North Macedonia is quite affordable for Indian and international students who are willing to get a quality education with good cultural immersion and a welcoming environment. While studying in North Macedonia, students can explore historical sites, and enjoy several outdoor activities, all while staying in a warm and safe environment. Depending upon several factors, the monthly cost of living in North Macedonia for international students ranges from €300 to €400.

Students might be required to gain proficiency in the Macedonian language as it is the primary medium of communication. However, English is also increasingly getting accepted as the medium of instruction for several courses in North Macedonian universities. While it may be easy to get a good degree at an affordable price in North Macedonia, finding a job after your studies in a relevant field might be equally challenging.

Check out the list of top universities in North Macedonia and their average fees below.

5,. Iceland

Iceland provides a high quality of life, access to stunning natural landscapes, a strong student community, and a small classroom that ensures a good student-teacher ratio and personalised attention. Like in other emerging study-abroad destinations, more and more universities in Iceland are accepting English as their medium of instruction and training and this lifts the bar for international students to choose only from a range of diverse programs. 

Iceland has only 7 universities in total, of which the two of the largest universities in Iceland, i.e. the University of Iceland and Reykjavík University are located in its capital city Reykjavík. Since the country is geologically and volcanically active, it provides excellent research potential in the fields of volcanology and geothermal energy. With this, most universities in Iceland are public and free for students. 

The top universities in Iceland, their rankings and average fees are given below.

Conclusions/Tips

1. Having considered all these countries, it can be said that you can almost study abroad for free in countries like Germany and France as both these countries have free and subsidised education and, your cost of living can also be managed by means of a suitable scholarship.
2. Some universities like those in Iceland and some other countries may provide free education on certain conditions like students may not be allowed to stay back and work in the country after the completion of their studies. Check with your university counsellor if your chosen university has any such conditions.
3. Although many public universities are free, this does not state that the student will not have to pay anything. Free universities provide high-quality education with no tuition fee. However, students will essentially be required to pay a registration fee and a handling and processing fee (if applicable).  

This was all about the top 5 cheapest countries to study in Europe for 2025. However, if you want more options, the other 5 cheap countries to study in Europe are Montenegro, Greece, Albania, Armenia and Moldova. 

If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.