Planning to study abroad in Europe but worried about the cost of tuition and living expenses? Some European countries offer free or discounted education for international students, with affordable living costs.
Germany remains the most popular choice for Indian students, with a total of 34,864 enrolled in 2022. The country abolished tuition fees in 2014, making higher education degrees free for both domestic and international students. The cost of living in Germany is estimated at €934 (approx. Rs 80,000) per month.
Russia is another affordable option, with 18,039 Indian students present in the country last year. The tuition fee ranges from €2,000 to €5,000 and the cost of living is around €750 (approx. Rs 66,000) per month. International students can work up to 20 hours per week during their studies and have the opportunity to stay in the country for 180 days after graduation to seek employment.
France is a popular choice among Indian students, with 10,003 enrolled in 2022. The cost of a bachelor’s degree is €2,770 (approx. Rs 2.5 lakh) and a master’s degree is approximately €3,770 (approx. Rs 2.5 lakh). The cost of living is estimated at €600 to €800 (varies based on individual lifestyle) per month, with international students able to work up to 964 hours per year during their studies and stay in the country for up to one year after graduation to search for employment.
Italy attracts 5,897 Indian students with its scenic beauty and food. The tuition fee for non-EU residents ranges from €500 to €5,000 and the cost of living is estimated at €700 (approx. Rs 60,000) per month. International students can work for 20 hours per week during their studies and have the opportunity to stay in the country for employment searches after completing a PhD or level 2 master’s program in Italy.
Poland, a popular destination among Indian medical students, had 5,000 students enrolled in 2022. The country offers courses at a range of €2,000 to €6,000 (approx. Rs 1.76- 5.30 lakh) and international students can work 20 hours per week during their studies and 40 hours per week during holidays. They can stay in the country for up to 9 months after graduation to seek employment, with the average cost of living estimated at €400 to €600 per month.
European Nations providing FREE education
Czech Republic: With a rich history and stunning architecture, the Czech Republic offers tuition-free education for degrees taught in Czech. However, for English or other foreign language taught degrees, the tuition fee can range from €0 to €18,500 per academic year. Living expenses can be up to €650 per month, but this can vary based on a student’s lifestyle and budgeting habits. To be eligible to work while studying, students must be enrolled in a degree program accredited by the Ministry of Education, and they can work for up to 30 days in a calendar year. After graduation, students can apply for a 9-month post-study residence permit to search for employment. The Czech Republic also has a significant Indian student population, with nearly 1500 students in the country as of 2022.
Finland: With a student population of 519 Indians, Finland offers affordable education, with free education for degrees taught in Finnish or Swedish. However, for non-EU students and those studying English-taught degrees, the tuition fee ranges from €4,000 to €18,000. To meet their cost of living, which can range from €700 to €1,300, international students can work up to 30 hours per week during their studies. After graduation, students are eligible for a two-year post-study work visa.
Iceland: With only 16 Indian students in 2022, Iceland offers a unique and affordable study destination, known for its natural beauty and minimal to free cost of education. The majority of the population is fluent in Icelandic and English, and most higher education courses are taught in English at universities. During their studies, international students can work up to 15 hours per week, and after graduation, they can apply for a six-month work visa to search for employment.