The Top 10 Lowest Cost Universities in Europe for Foreign Students (2025 Updated List)

Overview:
Studying in Europe Without Going Over Budget
Do you want to study in Europe but are concerned about the cost?Many prestigious European universities will offer free or reasonably priced education to international students by 2025. With living costs as low as €400/month in some countries, Europe remains a top destination for affordable, excellent education.
This 2,500+ word guide provides:
- Verified Top 10 Cheapest Universities in Europe for 2025 Living expenses, tuition fees, and well-liked programs
- Work and scholarship opportunities
- Frequently asked questions about language requirements, visas, and other topics
1. Germany’s Free University of Berlin
- €0 for tuition (administrative fee of only €300 per semester) 16.
- Living expenses range from €700 to €1,000 per month; Berlin is less expensive than Munich or Frankfurt.
- Humanities, social sciences, and North American studies (many in English) are popular programs.
- Why Pick It? Strong industry ties, a lively student body, and no tuition.
2. Italy’s Scuola Normale Superiore
- €0 for tuition (all admitted students receive full scholarships) 16.
- Living expenses are paid for by the university (free meals and housing).
- Popular programs include political science, the sciences, and the humanities.
- Why Pick It? Small class sizes and 100% financial support are features of this elite school.
3. Vienna University in Austria
- The annual tuition fee for non-EU students is €730. 16.
- Living expenses range from €800 to €1,200 per month; Vienna is more expensive but provides a higher standard of living.
- Popular programs include computer science (more than 200 courses taught in English), law, and the humanities.
- Why Pick It? Founded in 1365, this historic university offers affordable tuition.
4. French University of Paris-Saclay
- The annual tuition fee at a public university is €170.
- Living expenses range from €900 to €1,200 per month; suburbs are less expensive than Paris.
- Popular programs include engineering, economics (which is the top research program in the EU), and physics.
- Why Pick It? Top-notch STEM courses at almost no cost.
5. Göttingen University in Germany
- €0 for tuition (€350 per semester) 16.
- Monthly living expenses are €700, which is less expensive than Berlin.
- Popular programs include the social sciences, law, and life sciences.
- Why Pick It? prestigious research university with substantial funding for doctoral studies.
6. Norway’s Nord University
- The cost of tuition is €59 (public universities in Norway are free).
- Monthly living expenses range from €1,000 to €1,300 (higher but offset by no tuition).
- Popular programs include biology, circumpolar studies, and IT degrees taught in English.
- Why Pick It? Beautiful scenery, excellent education, and work permits after study.
Capture:
- To obtain a student visa 1, you must demonstrate that you earn €13,000 annually.
7. Greece’s University of Athens
- The annual tuition fee for non-EU students is €400. 17.
- Living expenses range from €500 to €800 per month, which is less expensive than in Western Europe.
- Popular programs include archaeology, dentistry, and medicine.
- Why Pick It? Affordably priced Mediterranean living combined with ancient history.
8. Charles University in the Czech Republic
- If studying in Czech, the tuition fee is €0; for English programs, it ranges from €3,000 to €7,000 annually.
- Living expenses range from €400 to €600 per month; Prague is reasonably priced.
- Popular programs include computer science, medicine, and the arts.
- Why Pick It? Central Europe’s lowest cost of living.
9. Portugal’s University of Porto
- €1,500 per year for tuition.
- Monthly living expenses range from €600 to €900, which is less expensive than Lisbon.
- Popular programs include architecture, business, and engineering.
- Why Pick It? Low crime rates, pleasant residents, and a warm climate.
10. Poland’s Jagiellonian University
- For English programs, tuition costs range from €2,000 to €4,000 per year.
- Living expenses range from €400 to €600 per month (Kraków is incredibly cheap).
- Popular programs include AI, international relations, and medicine.
- Why Pick It? Poland’s oldest university, founded in 1364, has state-of-the-art facilities.
Comparative Table: Europe’s Lowest Cost Universities (2025)
University | Country | Tuition (Non-EU) | Living Costs/Month |
---|---|---|---|
Free University of Berlin | Germany | €0 | €700–€1,000 |
Scuola Normale Superiore | Italy | €0 | Covered by scholarship |
University of Vienna | Austria | €730/year | €800–€1,200 |
University of Paris-Saclay | France | €170/year | €900–€1,200 |
Nord University | Norway | €0 | €1,000–€1,300 |
University of Athens | Greece | €400/year | €500–€800 |
Charles University | Czech Republic | €0 (Czech) / €3k–€7k (English) | €400–€600 |
University of Porto | Portugal | €1,500/year | €600–€900 |
Jagiellonian University | Poland | €2k–€4k/year | €400–€600 |
FAQs
A. Indeed, precisely! Germany, Norway, and the Czech Republic offer free education, even to non-EU students.
A. Portugal, Poland, and Hungary (€400–€700/month) 36.
A.Not every time. Many universities, including the Free University of Berlin, use English 1 as their main language of instruction..
A. Erasmus Mundus (which covers tuition and living costs)