Written by ESC Author on 14 Jul 2025 Posted in Blog
One of the major factors that attract international students to Europe is the availability of world-class education at little to no tuition cost. While some universities in popular destinations like the UK or the Netherlands charge significant fees, there are several European countries where tuition is free or extremely low, even for non-EU/EEA students.
If you’re seeking a high-quality degree without the financial burden of steep tuition, here are the top countries in Europe that offer no or minimal tuition fees for international students.
Germany is renowned for offering tuition-free education at public universities—even for international students. Public universities charge no tuition fees for undergraduate programmes. Students only pay a semester contribution, which covers student services and public transport. There are hundreds of programmes available in English, especially at the postgraduate level. Best for: Engineering, sciences, business, and social sciences Example universities: University of Heidelberg, LMU Munich, TU Berlin Norway is another European country where public universities do not charge tuition fees, regardless of nationality. This applies to both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. While the cost of living is high, the quality of education and academic support makes it worthwhile. Many universities offer English-taught master’s programmes. Best for: Marine studies, energy, environmental sciences, education Example universities: University of Oslo, NTNU, University of Bergen Finland previously offered free education to all, but since 2017, non-EU/EEA students must pay tuition fees for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s degrees. However: Generous scholarship schemes are available at nearly all Finnish universities. Doctoral programmes are still free for all students, regardless of nationality. Finland offers excellent education in technology, design, and education. Best for: ICT, education, sustainable development, design Example universities: University of Helsinki, Aalto University, University of Turku Sweden offers tuition-free education to EU/EEA students. Non-EU/EEA students are charged, but: Many universities provide full or partial scholarships based on merit. PhD programmes are fully funded and often come with a salary. Known for its strong emphasis on innovation and research. Best for: Environmental sciences, tech, innovation, gender studies Example universities: Lund University, Uppsala University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology Austria offers affordable or no tuition fees for EU/EEA students, and very low fees for non-EU/EEA students. Public universities charge only a nominal semester fee, especially when compared to Western Europe. Students are allowed to work part-time, helping offset living costs. Best for: Music, arts, humanities, natural sciences Example universities: University of Vienna, University of Graz, University of Innsbruck In the Czech Republic, tuition is free for programmes taught in Czech, regardless of nationality. English-taught courses do carry a fee, but it is generally lower than Western Europe. The country offers a low cost of living, making it highly attractive for students on a budget. Best for: Medicine, engineering, social sciences Example universities: Charles University, Czech Technical University, Masaryk University France offers heavily subsidised tuition fees at public universities. For EU/EEA students, tuition is almost negligible. For non-EU students, the government still covers a significant portion of the cost, making it very affordable compared to global standards. A growing number of bachelor’s and master’s programmes are now offered in English. Best for: Business, fashion, arts, international relations Example universities: Sorbonne University, Sciences Po, University of Lyon While tuition fees are important, don’t forget to factor in: Cost of living: Countries like Norway and Sweden have higher living expenses. Language requirements: Some programmes are offered only in the national language. Visa regulations and work rights: Check if your student visa allows part-time work. Availability of scholarships: Many universities offer financial aid, even if tuition is low. Choosing a country with no or low tuition fees can significantly reduce the financial pressure of studying abroad. Europe offers a wide range of affordable, high-quality education opportunities for international students—whether through free tuition, generous public funding, or scholarship options. Do your research, compare options based on your field of study, language preferences, and budget, and you’ll find that quality education in Europe doesn’t always come with a high price tag.
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