By the Portlio studio · Published · 6 min read
The cheapest place to study is the one where tuition and living costs together stay low, and where you can get a visa by showing funds you really have. Here's how the most affordable destinations compare.
Low or no tuition
- Germany: free tuition at most public universities; living costs must be proven (EUR 11,904 for 2026).
- Austria: about EUR 727 per semester for non-EU students.
- France: low public university fees; differentiated non-EU fees are often waived.
- Italy: income-based fees and regional DSU grants.
- Czech Republic: free in Czech; affordable English programs.
Low living costs
Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Malaysia and Türkiye combine modest tuition with lower rent and food costs than Western Europe, the UK or the U.S. Hungary's Stipendium Hungaricum and Türkiye Scholarships can cover tuition and living costs entirely.
Ways to spend less anywhere
- Apply for scholarships and assistantships alongside admission.
- Choose smaller cities with cheaper rent.
- Live in student housing for the first year.
- Check the legal work limits for students before counting on a job.
See study in Europe for free and fully funded scholarships.
Figures, deadlines and eligibility rules were checked in October 2026 and change every year. Confirm everything on the official pages linked here before you apply. Portlio and Stamplio are not affiliated with any scholarship, university, government or embassy.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cheapest country to study abroad?
- Germany is usually cheapest overall for tuition, since most public universities charge none. Hungary, the Czech Republic, Malaysia and Türkiye have low living costs.
About this guide. Written by the Portlio studio as general guidance. It isn't any college's requirements and it can't predict an admissions decision, so check each program's current instructions. Last updated .
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