For the 2018–2019 academic year, 193,422 American students participated in study-abroad programs in Europe; a 3.1% rise over the year before (IIE, 2020). American families are looking for alternatives in Europe where international students are exempt from paying tuition in an attempt to avoid the always rising average cost of higher education in the United States.
Vice President Biden’s pledge to make college tuition-free during the past election cycle elevated many people’s expectations; unfortunately, this idea has since been dropped. Consequently, middle-class American families find free education in Europe to be growingly appealing.
So, is European college free? We review the European countries offering free higher education and prepare a list of the best reasonably priced universities in these countries so low-income students may study there for free.
European Nations with either free or almost free college tuition
Which nations in Europe have free college? Although some of the most costly countries in Europe are also among the top ones for studying, European countries also boast decent free and low-cost colleges. European nations so rank first among those visited by Americans for study abroad: With United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany top choices, 55.7% of study-abroad students in 2018/19 traveled to Europe.
European nations offering free university or almost free college education for overseas students are listed below.
1. Norway
Public Norwegian universities are free even for overseas students. Private institutions are allowed to decide their rates, nevertheless.
Seven recognized public universities, nine accredited specialized university institutions, 22 accredited university colleges, and two certified national colleges of Arts are found in Norway. That provides a big list of public institutions from which one may choose, however one should be aware of Norway’s extremely high cost of living!
Cost of Living
Maybe Norwegian free college tuition was meant to counteract the high expense of living. Converted to USD, Educations.com (2021) shows Oslo’s typical monthly living expenses:
One-bedroom apartment’s monthly rent: $1,550
Utilities, monthly average: $140
Monthly public transport pass: $90
Meal at a cheap restaurant: $20
Since the Norwegian Krone is significantly influenced by the price of oil, these conversions might alter rapidly. Still, Norway has “corridors,” which resemble American dormitories on the positive side. Besides, the tap water from Norway is fit for consumption.These two choices enable students to cut expenses.
2. Iceland
All state colleges in Iceland provide free education with an annual registration fee of $750 for overseas students, unlike nations with limited choices for free education in Europe. There are three extinct institutions, four graduate schools, and seven main universities. There would only be costs of up to $150 per credit unit among three private colleges. Still, living expenses in Iceland are somewhat high.
Living Cost: Expensive
Iceland is costly, like Norway. Along with study materials, the University of Iceland (2021) offers an estimate of the monthly living expenses in Reykjavík (converted to USD).
Utilities included in housing: ~$770.
Daily costs and food: ~$385
Local public transit: ~$46
Books and other study tools: ~$308 per semester.
3. Germany
All public universities in Germany’s sixteen states eliminated undergraduate fees in 2014, but in fall 2017 Baden-Wurttemberg restored them for non-EU students. With a 1,300 EUR ($1,600) deduction for second degrees, non-EU students in Baden-Wurttemberg currently pay 3,000 EUR ($3,500). 2021 Playdon:
Living Expenses
Additionally somewhat costly is Germany. Converting DAAD (2021) monthly cost of living to USD, it shows:
lodging: ~$370
Food: About $193.
Transportation: About $108.
License for T.V., internet, and phone: ~$35
Study tools: ~$23.
4. Austria
Austrian students as well as those from E.U. and EEA member nations pay free tuition just as long as their study program’s required term remains unmet. Otherwise they have to pay 363.36 EUR (~420 USD) per semester.
International students from poor nations with a Residence Permit-Student must pay 726.72 EUR ($841) every semester plus an obligatory student union “H-Beitrag” and an accident insurance charge of 20.20 EUR ($23).
Living Cost: Expensive
Austria’s cost of living is somewhat lower than those of other European nations. The monthly cost of living (converted to USD):
Accommodation: ~$643
Food (apart from tobacco and luxuries): ~$289
Books, culture, entertainment; studies and personal needs: ~$347
5. France
European students pay 170 euros for a bachelor’s degree; non-European students spend 2,777 EUR ($3,209). Residents of Quebec as well as foreign students enrolling in doctorates pay the same fees as French and E.U. students.
Living Cost:
Particularly in Paris and the larger towns, French living expenses may be somewhat costly. Converted to USD, Campus France offers a summary of the monthly expenses overseas students might face:
Housing: ~$146 (in France); ~$729 ( provinces); ~$173 to ~$695 (CROUSE).
Food: ~$347; “Restaurant Universitaire” dinner costs ~$3.
Annual transportation subscription: ~$399 (Paris); ~$289 outside of Paris
6. Poland
For Polish students, full-time studies—in Polish—at state Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are free. It is also free for foreigners starting their education in Poland under policies applicable to Polish nationals. These include EU/EEA residents as well as students carrying the Polish Charter (Karta Polaka). Other foreigners must pay tuition ranging from 2,000 EUR ($2,317) to 3,000 EUR ($3,475).
Living Costs:
One lives in Poland comparatively less expensive. Translated to USD, the monthly expenditure in Poland is shown by the National Agency for Academic Exchange.
Rent for housing falls between $104 and $162.
Public transit: $12 to $15
T.V., phone, internet, and subscription costs go from $19 to $25.
groceries ~$173 to ~$231.
7. Greece
At Greek public universities and colleges, E.U./E.E.A. students are free from paying tuition. Certain master’s degrees could have tuition. Non-EU students have to pay nominal tuition at public universities and colleges in meanwhile. Since course affects tuition costs, it is advisable to get in touch with universities to ascertain the exact charge. Tuition and supplies cost non-EU students an average of 1,500 EUR ($1,737).
Cost of Living Greece is somewhat less. Find a Ph.D. to get a general picture of Greek cost of living (adjusted to USD):
accommodation: between ~$231 and ~$289
Restaurant Meals: ~$11 Monthly Travel Pass: ~$34 Monthly Utilities: ~$176;
8. Hungary
One of the most visited countries in Europe, Hungary is also becoming among the top institutions in the continent for overseas students. Although Hungary does not provide free college education, tuition there is much less than in other countries of Europe and the United States.
Depending on the university and program, a bachelor’s degree’s tuition may run from 600 EUR ($695) to 4,000 EUR ($4,634).
Moreover, Hungary’s cheap cost of living—an average monthly expenditure of $300—allows for With an eye toward internationalism, Hungarian universities provide a large array of English and French, German, and Russian programs.
Research on Hungary’s 2019 cost of living offers a general picture of USD value for this factor:
Dormitory, private apartment, or shared flat: $74 to $458 for accommodation
Food cost: $147.
Recreation is more or less $30.
Public bike: $five.
Urban public transit: $8 to $15
9. Slovenia
Located in Central Europe, Slovenia offers free college tuition to E.U. nationals as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina residents, Montenegro, Kosovo, the Republics of Macedonia and Serbia.
Students from non-EU members pay between 2,000 EUR (~2317 USD) and 5,000 EUR ($5,792) at the bachelor’s degree level. (Slovenian study, 2021)
Living Cost:
Slovenian monthly living expenses are estimated to be 600 EUR ($695). The University of Ljubljana (2021) analyzes Slovenia’s monthly cost of living (USD) broken out:
Accommodation: Between $173.78 to $521.34.
Food: ~$231.71
City Transportation: ($Urbana bus pass) ~$23.17; ($used bicycle) ~$57.93
10. The Czech Republic
Higher education free for all students studying in the Czech language at public and governmental institutions in the Czech Republic. Depending on the university and program, fees for learning another language go between $0 to $22,350 year.
Studying in the Czech Republic has the benefit of comparatively inexpensive living expenses, ranging from $350 to $750 a month.
Cost of Living Study on the Czech Republic (2021) analyzes student monthly expenditure (converted to USD):
Accommodation: Between $150 to $450.
Lunch at the student canteen: ~$2; restaurant meal: ~$6; loaf of bread: ~$1
Almost totally free European colleges for Americans
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