Choosing the appropriate study destination in Europe is among the most prominent decisions the Saudi student faces before university registration. With more than 5,000 universities in 44 European countries, students have wide options to choose the appropriate country and specialization according to their goals and budget. However, the great variation in study costs between these countries makes conducting a precise comparison a necessity, not a luxury.
In this comprehensive guide prepared by Future Way — a specialized student agency comprising more than 100 specialists and serving more than 50 thousand students — we present you a comparison of study costs in Europe for Saudis across 10 selected European countries, so you can make your academic decision with confidence and knowledge.
The free European countries
A handful of European countries still offer full-degree programs without tuition fees, the most prominent of which are: the Czech Republic (for programs taught in Czech only), Germany, Iceland, and Norway. These countries represent the optimal choice for students seeking free study under government sponsorship.
Germany and Norway
Germany tops the list of preferred destinations for a simple reason: studying is free at most public universities, as these universities do not impose tuition fees on international students, except for a token semester fee ranging between 170 and 280 dollars that covers administrative costs and public transport services.
As for Norway, you can obtain free bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs at public universities, and they are free for all international students regardless of their nationalities. In contrast, Norwegian private universities impose fees ranging between 7,000 and 9,000 euros per year for the bachelor’s degree, and between 9,000 and 19,000 euros for the master’s.
For the Saudi student wishing for the cheapest European country in terms of tuition fees, Germany remains the first choice without rival, as Germany is considered the cheapest destination for students from outside the European Union in terms of education quality (free education with living costs ranging between 850 and 1,100 euros per month).
Austria
Austria offers a distinguished blend of affordability, quality, and stunning natural scenery, and the tuition fees for students from outside the European Union are 726 euros per semester, while EU students benefit from reduced or no fees; Austria is considered an ideal destination for lovers of the arts and academics.
Living costs in Austria are considered moderate compared with European countries with a high living standard; housing rent ranges between 300 and 600 euros per month, while food and transport expenses range between 250 and 400 euros per month, which requires a total monthly budget between 700 and 1,000 euros.
The low-cost countries
Within this category fall the countries of Central and Eastern Europe that combine the cheapest tuition fees and living costs within the reach of the Saudi student’s budget reasonably.
Poland and the Czech Republic
Poland is considered an excellent destination for those seeking the cheapest European countries for study, especially those who wish to immerse themselves in an exciting and rich culture at reasonable prices. Some international students are required to pass the same exams set for local students; but if studying in Polish is not possible for them, the fees of the English programs are about 2,000 to 3,000 euros per year.
The monthly living costs in Poland range between 300 and 550 euros, equivalent to 3,500 to 6,000 euros per year.
As for the Czech Republic, education there is near-free for programs taught in Czech, and the matter is limited only to simple registration fees ranging between 100 and 300 euros. The courses taught in English remain reasonably affordable, at about 3,800 euros per year, while the living costs remain within reach compared with many Western European countries, ranging between 5,400 and 9,000 dollars per year.
Portugal
Living costs in Portugal are considered relatively reasonable, making it an ideal destination for studying in Europe. Rents in Portugal are also considered relatively cheaper compared with the countries of Northern and Western Europe. The tuition fees at its public universities range between 800 and 4,000 euros per year depending on the specialization and study level.
Hungary
Hungary is considered an excellent choice for students seeking high-quality education at reasonable prices and a distinctive cultural experience. Hungary grants international students the Stipendium Hungaricum program, which makes accessing it easier. The tuition fees in its English programs range between 2,000 and 6,000 euros per year, with living costs not exceeding 600 to 900 euros per month.
The medium-cost countries
These countries occupy a middle zone between distinguished European education and relatively reasonable costs, and they constitute a balancing choice for many Saudi students.
Spain and Italy
Both Italy and Spain offer a balanced blend of affordable tuition fees and reasonable living costs, and they remain among the best choices for students wishing for a rich study experience at a moderate price. The tuition fees in these two countries range between 800 and 4,000 euros per year depending on the program and the region.
Italy is famous for the strength of its education in the fields of art, design, architecture, and medicine. As for the education fees in Spain for the bachelor’s and master’s stages, they vary, as each regional government determines its tuition fees and limits independently.
France and Belgium
France can be very affordable for students, especially at public institutions; the tuition fees are about 2,770 euros for the bachelor’s and 3,770 euros for postgraduate studies, in addition to discounts on transport and housing and access to a world-class culture.
As for Belgium, its tuition fees range between 800 and 4,000 euros per year depending on the type of program and the region, while living costs range between 600 and 1,000 euros per month depending on the city. Belgium is distinguished by the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), which is among the oldest and finest universities in Europe.
The high-cost countries
Despite their high costs, some countries remain indispensable destinations for those seeking a degree of exceptional global academic weight.
Britain
Britain has long been considered among the highest-cost countries for studying abroad; when the student targets the leading English-speaking countries in higher education such as Britain, the United States, Canada, and Australia, they should expect to pay high tuition fees compared with the majority of the world’s countries.
The tuition fees for international students in Britain range between 10,000 and 38,000 pounds sterling, and this varies depending on the study program, the specialization, and the chosen university. London is considered the highest in cost for housing and transport, and it occupies an advanced position among the most expensive cities in Europe for students.
Switzerland and the Netherlands
At Swiss public universities, foreign students must pay annual registration fees ranging between 1,000 and 2,000 Swiss francs.
However, Switzerland remains among the most expensive European countries in living cost, as covering living expenses requires about 2,000 to 2,500 francs per month.
As for the Netherlands, its tuition fees for students from outside the European Union range between 6,000 and 15,000 euros per year for the bachelor’s degree, and between 8,000 and 20,000 euros for the master’s. Your monthly expenses in the Netherlands will include accommodation, food, transport, books, clothing, and recreational activities; to cover these expenses you will need between 800 and 1,200 euros per month.
A comparison of tuition fees
A comprehensive comparison table
The following is a table that summarizes the comparison of study costs in Europe for Saudis across 10 European countries:
| Country | Annual tuition fees (for students from outside the EU) | Monthly living costs | Classification |
| Germany | Free (token fees $170-280) | €900 – 1,100 | Free |
| Norway | Free at public universities | €1,200 – 1,800 | Free |
| Austria | ~€726 / semester | €700 – 1,000 | Low |
| Poland | €2,000 – 3,000 | €300 – 550 | Low |
| Czech Republic | €1,000 – 5,000 | €450 – 750 | Low |
| Portugal | €800 – 4,000 | €600 – 900 | Low |
| Hungary | €2,000 – 6,000 | €600 – 900 | Low |
| Spain / Italy | €800 – 4,000 | €800 – 1,200 | Medium |
| France / Belgium | €2,770 – 4,000 | €700 – 1,200 | Medium |
| Britain | £10,000 – 38,000 | £1,000 – 2,000 | High |
| Switzerland / Netherlands | €6,000 – 20,000 | €1,200 – 2,500 | High |
Note: The figures are estimates and vary depending on the university, the city, the specialization, and the exchange rate.
Living costs
Alongside the tuition fees, the living cost constitutes the largest part of the student’s budget in Europe. The monthly living costs in Europe generally range between 600 and 1,200 euros.
Housing and food
Housing varies clearly between European countries; in Germany, university housing ranges between 250 and 400 euros per month. Most students prefer to cook at home to save money, and the monthly food costs range between 150 and 250 euros depending on the lifestyle.
In the more economical Poland, the monthly living costs range between 300 and 550 euros, including housing, food, and transport expenses.
As for Britain, the student usually needs about 150 – 250 pounds sterling per month for food, especially when shopping from the supermarket and cooking food at home. Housing costs differ greatly from one city to another, and housing in the capitals is often more expensive while small university cities offer cheaper options.
Transport
Most European cities have excellent public transport networks that help you save money compared with owning a private car. In Germany specifically, students obtain the Semester Ticket, which allows unlimited movement for 150 – 200 euros per semester.
To save money, it is advised to live in student housing or share an apartment with others or cook at home, in addition to the fact that many cities grant students discounts on transport, food, and activities.
The best country according to the budget
For the limited budget
If your total budget (fees + living) does not exceed 800 – 1,200 euros per month, then Poland comes at the forefront without competition. Poland is one of the cheapest countries in Europe in terms of living costs.
It is followed by the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Portugal as ideal choices for those seeking the cheapest country with good-level education. It is worth noting that Future Way deals directly with universities in Poland and the Czech Republic and facilitates registration in them for Saudi students.
For the medium budget
Its budget ranges between 1,200 and 2,000 euros per month, and here two main choices stand out:
Germany: education is near-free with medium living — the best return on educational investment. It is distinguished by excellent job opportunities after graduation thanks to the strength of the German economy.
Spain and Italy: an ideal balance between education quality and reasonable living cost with a rich cultural environment suitable for Saudi students. The Future Way Academy team helps you evaluate the options according to your GPA and budget to reach the most suitable decision.
Money-saving tips
To reduce study costs and control the student’s budget in Europe, it is advised to follow these steps:
- Shared housing: sharing the place of residence with others is among the cheapest available options.
- Small cities: small cities such as Leipzig in Germany are 20-30% cheaper than Munich and Frankfurt.
- Part-time work: international students in Germany are allowed to work 20 hours per week.
- Scholarships: Europe hosts more than 16 billion euros of scholarships available annually. And Future Way helps you access them and submit full and partial scholarship applications.
- Smart shopping: shopping from discount stores such as Aldi and Lidl and home cooking instead of eating out.
- The student card: plan for rent, health insurance, transport, food, and books, and choosing student housing in a smaller city reduces the budget.
- Advance currency planning: track exchange rates and schedule the payments of fees and rent to save as much as possible.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the cheapest European country for study?
Romania, Poland, and Hungary are considered among the cheapest countries for studying in Europe for international students, as they offer affordable tuition fees, low living costs, and good education, making them ideal choices for students with limited budgets.
2. How much is a monthly budget for a student in Europe?
The countries of Eastern Europe such as Poland, Lithuania, and Hungary enjoy lower living costs than Western Europe; students can spend no more than 400 – 800 dollars per month on housing, food, and transport, making these countries ideal for students interested in saving. On average across the continent, the costs range between 600 and 1,200 euros per month.
3. Are there free European countries for study?
Yes. Some European countries offer free education for international students, the most prominent of which are Germany, Norway, and some universities in Finland and Austria, where students from outside the European Union pay only token administrative fees. However, free education usually applies to programs taught in the country’s native language, not in English.
4. What is the difference between the costs of Germany and Britain?
The difference is fundamental and large. In Germany, public universities do not impose tuition fees on international students except for a token semester fee of 170-280 dollars. As for Britain, the fees for international students range between 10,000 and 38,000 pounds sterling for the bachelor’s, and between 11,000 and 32,000 pounds for postgraduate studies. This makes the difference between the two countries reach tens of thousands of pounds per year, in addition to the high living cost in Britain.
5. Which country is most suitable for Saudi students?
That depends on the desired specialization and the available budget; those seeking free study and high quality choose Germany, those wanting the cheapest living costs choose Poland or the Czech Republic, and those who prioritize international recognition of the degree head toward Britain. To obtain a customized recommendation that perfectly suits your circumstances, you can contact the Future Way team for a free consultation via phone 05060311177 or email info@futurewaytr.com.
Conclusion
The comparison of study costs in Europe for Saudis offers a clear picture: the European continent does not necessarily mean an exorbitant bill, but rather offers choices for every student budget, from free study in Germany, to the low fees in Poland and the Czech Republic, to the prestigious degrees in Britain and the Netherlands. The golden equation is based on balancing the tuition fees, the living cost, and the international academic recognition.
With Future Way — the trusted student agent with more than 6 years of experience and a network comprising more than 50 universities — you will find a partner who accompanies you from choosing the specialization until receiving acceptance and beyond.
