Studying in Europe is a transformative adventure that requires precise planning and comprehensive preparation to ensure academic and personal success. Tips for Saudi students in Europe built on the real experiences of thousands of graduates reveal that the difference between an exceptional experience and another full of challenges often lies in the small details that are overlooked.
The common mistakes — from choosing a non-accredited university to underestimating the importance of the budget — can be completely avoided with proper preparation. Success in Europe is not limited to academic excellence alone; rather, it includes cultural adaptation, building an international network of relationships, managing financial resources wisely, and maintaining a balanced mental health.
Outstanding students share common traits: they start planning early, learn from the experiences of others, maintain their flexibility, and seize every opportunity for growth. Future Way gathers in this comprehensive guide 25 golden tips drawn from practical experience, arranged chronologically from the initial planning stage until graduation and planning for the future, to be a clear road map for your European journey.
Before travel
Prior preparation determines the success of the entire experience.
Choosing the country and university
Tip 1: Verify the university’s accreditation in Saudi Arabia above all
The biggest mistake that students fall into: joining a university not accredited by the Saudi Ministry of Education.
The solution:
- Visit the Ministry of Education website (mohe.gov.sa)
- Search for the university in the list of accredited universities
- Call the Ministry (19996) to confirm
- Obtain a written response — keep it
Do not rely on:
- The words of educational agents only
- The university’s reputation locally (it may be excellent but not accredited in Saudi Arabia)
Tip 2: Choose the country according to your budget and goals
Not all countries are equal:
For a limited budget:
- Germany: free + reasonable living
- Poland/the Czech Republic: low fees
- Portugal: balanced
For maximum academic quality:
- Switzerland: ETH Zurich (but expensive)
- Britain: Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial (very costly)
- The Netherlands: TU Delft, high quality at a reasonable price
For work after graduation:
- Germany: 18 months job search
- Britain: two years Graduate Route
- The Netherlands: one year
Tip 3: Communicate with Saudi students at the university
Before applying:
- Search for Facebook groups for Saudi students at that university
- Ask about their real experiences
- Learn about the actual challenges
- Get practical tips
The important questions:
- Is the curriculum difficult? How is the level of the professors?
- Housing — where and how?
- The real living costs?
- Do you advise me to come?
Financial preparation
Tip 4: Calculate the full cost with a 20% increase
Do not underestimate the estimate:
Calculate:
- The tuition fees (full duration)
- Living (12 months × number of years)
- Health insurance
- Flight tickets (departure + annual returns)
- Visa and procedures
- Initial furniture and tools
- Emergencies: an additional 20%
Example (a two-year master’s — the Netherlands):
- Fees: 36,000 euros
- Living: 28,800 euros (1,200 × 24)
- Insurance: 2,400 euros
- Flights: 4,000 euros
- Miscellaneous: 5,000 euros
- The total: 76,200 euros
- + 20%: 91,440 euros
Tip 5: Open a blocked account early (for Germany)
If you are going to Germany:
- Open a Blocked Account 2-3 months before applying for the visa
- The options: Fintiba (the easiest), Expatrio, Deutsche Bank
- The amount: 11,208 euros (2024-2025)
- The cost: 50-150 euros opening fees
Learning the language
Tip 6: Start learning the local language now
Even if your program is in English:
The benefits:
- Daily life: shopping, doctor, bank
- Faster adaptation
- Wider job opportunities
- Friendships with the local residents
How:
- Duolingo/Babbel: 15 minutes daily
- YouTube: free lessons
- Continue 3-6 months before travel
The basics are enough:
- Greeting, thanks, asking for help
- Numbers
- Transport
- Food
Tip 7: Improve your English before travel
IELTS/TOEFL is not enough:
- Actual proficiency is required for academic success
- Listen: podcasts, TED talks
- Read: academic articles in your specialization
- Speak: with friends, language exchange apps
- Write: daily
Especially:
- The academic terminology in your specialization
- Academic writing — you will write many essays
The legal procedures
The documents and procedures — details that tolerate no mistake.
The visa and documents
Tip 8: Start the visa procedures early — 4 months before
The timeline:
- 4 months before: gathering the documents
- 3 months before: attesting the certificates
- 2 months before: booking the embassy appointment
- A month before: submitting the application
Do not delay — the appointments may fill up, the processing may be delayed.
Tip 9: Photograph everything and keep digital copies
A comprehensive backup:
- Photograph all the documents
- Save them: Google Drive, Dropbox
- Paper copies in two separate bags
- The passport: at least 5 photos
The documents:
- The passport (the information page + the visa)
- The university admission
- Academic certificates
- Health insurance
- Bank account
- Housing contract
If the original is lost — you have the copy.
Health insurance
Tip 10: Do not skimp on health insurance
Mandatory and necessary:
Choose:
- Comprehensive: covers emergencies, a general practitioner, basic dental
- From a known company: no cheap suspicious insurance
- Accepted in the destination country
For the visa:
- Germany: travel insurance first, then TK or AOK after arrival
- Verify the embassy’s requirements
The cost: 30-110 euros/month — an investment in your comfort.
Arrival and settling in
The first weeks are crucial.
The first days
Tip 11: Book temporary housing for the first two weeks
Do not rush in choosing permanent housing:
The plan:
- Airbnb/Hostel for the first 10-14 days
- Search on the ground for permanent housing
- Inspect the apartments in person
- Meet the potential flatmates
The benefit:
- A better decision after seeing the options
- Avoiding fraud (common in signing remotely)
Tip 12: Register at the residents’ office within two weeks
Mandatory in most of Europe:
Germany: Anmeldung — address registration
- Within 14 days of arrival
- At the Bürgeramt
- The documents: passport, rental contract, form
- Free usually
The Netherlands: registration at the municipality
Without it:
- A fine
- Cannot open a bank account
- Problems with the residence permit
Opening a bank account
Tip 13: Open a local bank account in the first week
Necessary for daily life:
You will need it for:
- Paying the rent
- Receiving a salary (if you work)
- A card for purchasing
The documents:
- Passport
- Housing registration (Anmeldung)
- University admission
- Residence permit (sometimes)
The common banks:
- Germany: N26 (online — easy), Deutsche Bank, Sparkasse
- The Netherlands: ING, ABN AMRO
- Britain: HSBC, Barclays
Tip 14: Get a local phone number immediately
On the first day:
- Buy a local SIM card (Prepaid)
- The companies: Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile
- The cost: 10-30 euros/month
The benefit:
- Cheap local calls
- The apps: many of them require a local number
- The bank: for two-factor verification
Effective study
Academic success requires adapting to the new system.
The European education system
Tip 15: Know the difference — European education is independent
Not like Saudi Arabia:
- No close follow-up from the professors
- Your responsibility to learn
- Attendance may not be mandatory, but attend!
The adaptation:
- Study regularly — do not postpone to the exam
- Ask the professors — do not be shy
- Study groups: cooperate with classmates
- Attend Office Hours: time dedicated to questions
Tip 16: Participate in class from the first day
Participation is part of the assessment:
The benefits:
- Grades: 10-20% of the assessment
- A deeper understanding: discussion enhances learning
- A positive impression on the professor
Overcome the shyness:
- Prepare a question before each lecture
- Start with a simple comment
- It becomes easier with time
Time management
Tip 17: Use a digital calendar for everything
Organized = successful:
Record:
- The lectures and labs
- Deadlines: essays, projects
- The exams
- Meetings and events
The apps:
- Google Calendar: sync across devices
- Notion: for project management
- Todoist: task lists
Tip 18: Start the projects and essays early
The golden rule: start on the first day after the assignment.
Why:
- Time for in-depth research
- Review and review
- Avoiding the pressure at the last moment
- Better quality = higher grades
Dividing the work:
- An essay worth two weeks? Start 3 weeks before
- Day 1-7: research and reading
- Day 8-14: writing a draft
- Day 15-21: review and improvement
Social life
Balance between study and life is important.
Building a network of relationships
Tip 19: Join a club or activity in the first month
The best way to make friends:
The options:
- The Saudi/Arab club: the comfort of belonging
- A sports club: football, swimming
- An academic club: in your specialization
- Volunteer: community service
The benefit:
- Friends quickly
- A support network
- A break from study
- A cultural experience
Tip 20: Balance between the community and international friends
Do not isolate yourself:
The balance (50/50):
- The Saudi community: emotional support, shared understanding
- International friends: learning cultures, improving the language
Avoid:
- Complete isolation with Saudis only
- Complete distance from the community
The benefit:
- A global network
- A wider perspective
- Advanced social skills
Respecting cultures
Tip 21: Be an ambassador for your country
Your behavior forms an impression:
How:
- Respect: for the local culture and laws
- Kindness: in dealing
- Openness: to civilized discussion
- Moderate pride: in your identity without superiority
Avoid:
- Constant negative comparisons (“In Saudi Arabia it’s better”)
- Public criticism of the host country
- Sharp arguments in religion/politics
Be:
- A bridge between cultures
- A positive representative of Saudi Arabia
The budget
Money is a main concern — managing it wisely is necessary.
Managing expenses
Tip 22: Record every expense for two months
Understand where your money goes:
The apps:
- Money Manager
- Splitwise (for shared expenses)
- A simple spreadsheet
After two months:
- Review: where did you spend more?
- Plan: a monthly budget
- Save: cut unnecessary spending
Tip 23: Cook at home — save 50%
The biggest saving opportunity:
Food:
- Home cooking: 150-250 euros/month
- Eating out: 400-600 euros/month
- The difference: 200-350 euros/month = 2,400-4,200 euros/year!
Tips:
- Cook large quantities: then freeze
- Share the cooking with flatmates
- Simple meals: rice, chicken, vegetables
Student work
Tip 24: Work 10-15 hours per week (if you need to)
Student work is allowed:
The benefits:
- Income: 400-800 euros/month
- Experience: in the CV
- A network: professional contacts
- Language: practical improvement
But:
- Do not overdo it: 20 hours maximum legally
- The priority for study
- Balance is necessary
The jobs:
- Restaurants/cafés
- Research assistant (the best — relevant)
- Private tutoring
Mental health
Mental health is no less important than academics.
Dealing with pressures
Tip 25: Seek psychological help — there is no shame
Pressure is normal:
- Intensive study
- Distance from family
- Cultural adaptation
The solution:
- The university’s services: free psychological counseling
- No shame — everyone uses it
- Early is better — do not wait until the breakdown
Prevention:
- Regular exercise: 30 minutes 3 times per week
- Sufficient sleep: 7-8 hours
- Social communication: do not isolate yourself
- Hobbies: a break from study
Homesickness:
- Completely normal
- Communicate with family (but not excessively)
- A routine from home (Arabic coffee, music)
- It eases with time
Travel and exploration
Europe is a continent for exploration.
Seizing Europe’s opportunities
An additional tip: travel — but wisely
The opportunity:
- Schengen: 26 countries without borders
- Cheap flights: 10-50 euros
- Trains: Interrail Pass
The balance:
- Do not overdo it: study first
- The vacations: summer, official holidays
- Plan in advance: for the best prices
The destinations:
- A weekend: nearby cities
- A summer vacation: a European tour
Communicating with family
An additional tip: regular but not excessive communication
The balance:
- A weekly call: usually enough
- WhatsApp daily: simple messages
Avoid:
- Constant contact: it hinders your independence
- Cutting off: it worries the family
Share:
- The positives — it reassures them
- The challenges — but without exaggeration
Planning for the future
An additional tip: think about the future from the first year
The options:
- Working in Europe: start networking early
- Returning to Saudi Arabia: maintain contacts
- Postgraduate studies: relationships with professors
How:
- Training: look for internships
- The network: LinkedIn, job fairs
- The skills: not the certificate only, develop yourself
Frequently asked questions about tips for Saudi students in Europe
What is the most important tip for beginners?
Verify the university’s accreditation in Saudi Arabia above all, and start planning early — 6-12 months before travel.
How do I choose the suitable university?
Accreditation first, then the budget, a strong specialization, job opportunities after graduation, and a location that suits you. Communicate with former students.
How much budget do I need?
It differs by country: Germany 10,000-16,000 euros/year, the Netherlands 25,000-35,000, Britain 30,000-50,000. Calculate with a 20% increase for safety.
How do I overcome homesickness?
It’s normal — communicate regularly with family, join activities, make friends, keep habits from home, it eases after 3-6 months.
What are the common mistakes?
A non-accredited university, an insufficient budget, delaying the visa, social isolation, neglecting the study, not learning the local language.
Conclusion
Success in Europe is not a coincidence — it is the result of precise planning, comprehensive preparation, and disciplined execution. These 25 tips are drawn from the real experiences of thousands of Saudi students who preceded you, some of whom excelled and some of whom faced challenges that could have been avoided.
The difference between the two often lies in the small details — a bank account opened at the right time, a network of relationships built from the start, a budget managed wisely. Future Way believes that every Saudi student who goes to Europe has the ability to excel — it only requires the right guidance and strong determination.
Your European journey will be among the most important chapters of your life — make it worth every moment and every dirham you invest in it.
