Top 5 Budget-Friendly European Countries to Study Abroad in 2027

Global Ed
September 21, 2026


Most Indian students researching the best countries to study in Europe gravitate towards countries like the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. These popular countries are a natural choice, but often an expensive one—their renowned universities charge hefty tuition fees and are located in cities with a higher cost of living.

For Indian families on a budget, planning a study-abroad programme in Europe requires understanding which combination of tuition, living costs, scholarships, and post-study job prospects offers the best return.

This guide walks through five genuinely affordable European countries for international students — Poland, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, and Hungary — and looks closely at the best universities in each, so you can compare the actual cost of study abroad in Europe in 2027.


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A country with affordable tuition but an expensive capital city can end up costing more than a country with moderate tuition but a low cost of living. That’s why evaluating the cost of studying in Europe properly means looking at five things together:

  • Tuition fees for your specific programme
  • Monthly cost of living for students — rent, food, transport, utilities
  • Scholarships or fee waivers you may actually qualify for
  • Part-time work rights and local wages during study
  • Post-study work visas and job markets in that country

With that framework in mind, here’s how five popular, budget-conscious study destinations in Europe 2027 actually compare.

Country University Tuition Range Cost of Living (Approx)
Poland Vistula University UG: €1800 – €5100 (2 – 5.7 Lakhs)
PG: €2500 – €2900 (2.8 – 3.2 Lakhs)
Accommodation: €5200
Food: €1900
Transport: €270
Utilities: €3200
Total: €10,570 (11.8 Lakhs)
Lithuania Vilnius University UG: €3250 – €6000 (3.6 – 6.7 Lakhs)
PG: €4600 – €6550 (5.1 – 7.3 Lakhs)
Accommodation: €4100
Food: €2230
Transport: €320
Utilities: €2500
Total: €9150 (10.2 Lakhs)
Malta GBS Malta UG: €6000 – €6600 (6.7 – 7.3 Lakhs)
PG: €6000 – €10,000 (6.7 – 11.1 Lakhs)
Accommodation: €1280
Food: €1800
Transport: €270
Utilities: €3000
Total: €6350 (7.1 Lakhs)
Moldova Technical University of Moldova UG: €1450 – €3200 (1.6 – 3.5 Lakhs)
PG: €1700 – €3000 (1.9 – 3.3 Lakhs)
Accommodation: €2450
Food: €1500
Transport: €136
Utilities: €3350
Total: €7436 (6.3 Lakhs)
Hungary University of Debrecen UG: €8550 – €4700 (9.5 – 5.2 Lakhs)
PG: €15000 – €4700 (16.7 – 5.2 Lakhs)
Accommodation: €2665
Food: €2030
Transport: €213
Utilities: €1950
Total: €6858 (6.5 Lakhs)

1. Poland — Vistula University


Poland regularly appears on lists of the cheapest countries to study in Europe because its tuition and rents sit well below Western European levels, while its degrees are recognised across the EU under the Bologna framework.

Source: The official website of Vistula University

Vistula University, a private institution in Warsaw, founded in 1992, is one of the more established English-medium options for Indian students. It offers programmes across engineering, business and management, computer science, and international relations and is accredited by bodies such as ACCA and CEEMAN.

Tuition and costs: Undergraduate tuition at Vistula typically falls in the range of roughly EUR 1800-5500 per year, while postgraduate programmes range from about EUR 2500-4000  per year, depending on the specialisation.

Living costs and accommodation: Warsaw is more expensive than smaller Polish cities, but still notably cheaper than London, Amsterdam, or Paris. Budget for shared hostel or dormitory accommodation, with monthly living expenses (rent, food, transport, and personal costs) generally landing in a moderate range for a European capital — plan conservatively rather than assuming the lowest published estimate.

Scholarships and support: Vistula runs merit-based scholarship programmes for non-Polish students with strong academic records, which can significantly offset the first year’s tuition for well-prepared applicants. Here are some options open to Indian students:

  • Vistula University Merit Scholarship (100% tuition fee waiver)
  • Gdańsk Branch Scholarship (25% tuition fee reduction)

Who it suits: Vistula works well for students who want a private-university experience with smaller class sizes, a large international student body, and a capital-city location, and who are comfortable with tuition slightly above Eastern Europe’s rock-bottom end in exchange for stronger industry connections in Warsaw.

2. Lithuania — Vilnius University


Lithuania is one of the most consistently affordable countries to study abroad in Europe. Its cost of living runs noticeably below the EU average, and its public universities are well-integrated into the Bologna and Erasmus+ systems.

Source: The official website of Vilnius University

Vilnius University, founded in 1579, is Lithuania’s oldest and most internationally ranked public university. They offer courses across engineering, business, humanities and sciences.

Tuition and costs: First-year tuition for Indian students is typically in the range of roughly EUR 3250-6000 for undergraduate programmes and EUR 4600-6550 for postgraduate programmes, with medicine and dentistry sitting at the higher end.

Living costs and accommodation: Lithuania’s cost of living is genuinely one of its strongest selling points. Rent in Vilnius runs well below London or Amsterdam levels, and most students spend somewhere between roughly EUR 350–700 a month on rent, food, and transport combined — though this depends heavily on lifestyle and whether you
live in a dormitory or private apartment. A monthly student transport pass costs only a few euros, and non-EU students can typically work full-time (up to 40 hours a week) once they secure a work permit, which is unusually generous compared to many other European study destinations.

Scholarships and support: Vilnius University grants state-sponsored scholarships and a tuition fee waiver for full-time Master’s degree students. Additionally, Vilnius offers a range of scholarship options for students to avail themselves of during their studies, based on their performance at the university. The following are options open to Indian students:

  • Tuition Fee Waiver Offered by the Institute of International Relations and Political Science (100% tuition fee waiver)
  • Tuition Fee Waiver for Full-Time Master’s Degree Studies (100% tuition fee waiver; limited offer to five students per batch based on academic merit)
  • Vilnius University Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Admission Scholarship (merit-based scholarship award)
  • Who it suits Vilnius University is a strong fit for students who want a public university degree, generous part-time work rights, and one of the lowest costs of living among EU capitals.

3. Malta — GBS Malta


Source: The official website of GBS Malta

Malta doesn’t always come up in best affordable countries to study in Europe conversations, but it deserves a place on the list: it’s an English-speaking EU member state with a British-style education system, no language barrier, and a smaller, safer environment than most Western European capitals.

GBS Malta (Global Banking School), part of the UK-based GEDU education group, opened its Malta campus in St Julian’s and offers career-focused programmes in business, finance, IT, and healthcare. It’s approved by Malta’s Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) and partners with UK universities, such as Bath Spa and Oxford Brookes, to offer validated degrees.

Tuition and costs: Postgraduate programmes at GBS Malta are usually priced between EUR 6000 and 10,000 annually, while undergraduate programmes normally start at roughly EUR 6000–6600 annually, with certain courses going up to EUR 13000.

Scholarships and support: In addition to government-backed programmes such as Malta’s Get Qualified Scheme for qualified students, GBS Malta and its parent organisation offer a range of scholarship routes, including merit-based scholarships that can significantly reduce tuition for deserving applicants. In general, international students are permitted to work full-time during the holidays and part-time (up to 20 hours per week throughout the academic year.

  • Scholarship for International Students (Up to 15% first-year tuition fee waiver)
  • Excellence Scholarship – Merit-based (Up to 90% tuition fee waiver)

Who it suits: Students who appreciate a small-island lifestyle with a lower cost of living than in mainland UK cities and who seek an English-taught, UK-linked certificate without UK-level tuition should give Malta serious consideration.

4. Moldova — Technical University of Moldova


Moldova is rarely mentioned in mainstream study-abroad conversations, which is exactly why it belongs on a genuine list of the cheapest countries to study in Europe for Indian students. Tuition and living costs here are dramatically lower than almost anywhere else on this list.

Source: The official website of the Technical University of Moldova

Tuition and costs: The Technical University of Moldova (UTM), based in the capital Chișinău, is a public institution offering engineering, IT, business, and veterinary programmes, with tuition for international students commonly ranging from roughly EUR 1450–3200 per year depending on the specialisation — for example, Software Engineering and Business Administration sit near the lower end, while Veterinary Medicine is priced higher due to its longer, integrated structure.

Living and accommodation costs: Chișinău’s cost of living is markedly lower than that of EU capitals. Monthly rent is often in the low hundreds of euros, and overall monthly expenses (rent, food, utilities, and local transport) tend to be significantly below Western or even Central European levels. This makes UTM one of the more options available to Indian students today.

Scholarships and support: UTM provides five fully funded scholarships to Indian students for bachelor’s programmes in Veterinary Medicine and Software Engineering.

  • 3 scholarships – Integrated degree in Veterinary Medicine (Bachelor’s + Master’s)
  • 2 scholarships – Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering

Each scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees for the entire duration of the study programme.

Who it suits: UTM suits highly budget-conscious students, particularly in engineering or technical fields, who are comfortable with a less globally recognised brand name in exchange for one of the lowest total costs on this list.

5. Hungary — University of Debrecen


Hungary sits in an interesting middle ground. Its tuition is higher than in Moldova or Lithuania for many programmes, but it offers stronger global recognition, a strong reputation in medical and health sciences, and access to one of the most generous scholarship schemes in the region.

Source: The official website of the University of Debrecen

The University of Debrecen, established in 1538, is one of Hungary’s oldest and largest public universities, hosting more than 7,000 international students from over 120 countries across medicine, dentistry, engineering, business, and law.

Tuition and cost: Fees vary widely by program. Most non-medical bachelor’s and master’s programmes fall in the range of roughly USD/EUR 4,000–9,000 per year, while high-demand medical and dentistry programmes (including MBBS) can run from around USD 15,000–16,500 per year. This widespread is exactly why checking your specific programme’s fee — not a country-wide average — matters so much.

Living and accommodation costs: Debrecen is much cheaper than Budapest. Students commonly report monthly expenses of roughly EUR 500–700 for accommodation, food, transport, and personal costs, with university dormitories at the lower end of that range.

Scholarships and support: Debrecen participates in the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program, which — for eligible nationalities and courses — can cover tuition, provide a monthly stipend, and reduce accommodation costs. Eligibility criteria and available seats change yearly, so this needs direct verification through the official Stipendium Hungaricum portal and the university’s admissions office.

Who it suits: Debrecen is a strong option for students prioritising a recognised medical or health-sciences degree, or those who want a public university with an established international student community and a real shot at full scholarship funding.

Comparing the Five Destinations


University Average Annual Tuition Estimated Annual Living Cost Part-Time Work Rights Verdict
Vistula University – Poland €2,700 – €40,00 – €126,840 Full-time international students with the appropriate student visa/residence status can work without a separate work permit. Best overall value — affordable EU education, low living costs and good work opportunities
Vilnius University – Lithuania €4,625 – €5,575 €109,800 Up to 30 hours/week during the study period Best for scholarships + work flexibility
GBS Malta – Malta €6,300 – €8,000 €76,200 Limited — employment generally involves additional work authorisation requirements Best budget option, especially for STEM and Veterinary Medicine
Technical University of Moldova – Moldova €2,325 – €2,350 €89,232 International students can work while studying, subject to residence-status conditions. Best for affordable EU education and scholarships
University of Debrecen – Hungary €6,625 – €9,850 €82,296 Subject to permit conditions; GBS currently states up to 20 hours/week Best for English-speaking environment

No single country wins outright among these affordable universities in Europe — the right one depends on your budget ceiling, field of study, and career plans:

  • Tightest budget overall: Moldova (UTM) typically has the lowest combined tuition-plus-living cost.
  • Best work-rights-to-cost ratio: Poland (Vistula) offers a strong combination of relatively low tuition, affordable living costs and favourable part-time work opportunities.
  • Best for English-speaking, UK-linked degrees: Malta (GBS Malta) stands out for its English-speaking setting and programmes with an international/UK-oriented education model, although tuition and living costs can be higher.
  • Best scholarship upside for medicine/health sciences: Hungary (Debrecen) offers particularly strong scholarship opportunities through programmes such as Stipendium Hungaricum, including substantial tuition support.
  • Best balance of capital-city exposure and mid-range cost: Lithuania (Vilnius University) combines a well-regarded university, a vibrant capital-city environment, moderate tuition costs and opportunities for international students.

This is not a ranking of “best” to “worst” — it’s a map of trade-offs. A student chasing the lowest possible spend will look very differently at this list than a student targeting a specific medical degree or a UK-aligned business qualification.

It’s also worth remembering that this list intentionally focuses on lower-cost destinations. If your priority shifts toward global brand recognition or a specific industry hub over minimising cost, it’s worth separately researching options like Study in Germany, Study in France, or Study in Ireland — including Universities in Germany and Affordable Universities in Germany, several of which charge little to no tuition at public institutions, even though living costs there tend to run higher than in the five countries covered here.

How Indian Students Should Choose Among These Destinations


Before comparing brochures, build a simple decision framework:

If your budget is very limited: Prioritise total annual cost (tuition + living), not tuition alone. Moldova and parts of Lithuania will usually come out ahead here.

If you’re targeting a specific field: Check which university genuinely specialises in it. A slightly higher-tuition programme at a university known for your field is often better value than a cheaper generic programme.

If scholarships matter to your plan: Apply early. Programmes like Stipendium Hungaricum and university-specific merit scholarships often have hard deadlines months before the intake, and funding is competitive.

Before paying any fee, verify:

  • Whether the tuition figure you were quoted includes insurance, registration, and administrative charges
  • The realistic monthly cost of accommodation in that specific city, not the country average
  • Visa and residence-permit costs and processing times
  • Deposit requirements and refund policies if your visa is delayed or denied
  • Part-time work rules — hours permitted, minimum wage, and whether a separate work permit is required

These practical checks matter more than headline tuition figures when you’re comparing universities in Europe on a real budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


How much money is required to study in Europe?

Costs vary widely by country and city, but a modest annual budget across these five destinations might range from roughly EUR 6,000–15,000, including tuition and living costs. Always calculate your own programme’s specific tuition plus your target city’s living costs.

Is studying in Europe affordable for Indian students?

Yes, particularly in Eastern and Central European countries like Moldova, Lithuania, and Poland, where tuition and living costs sit well below those in Western Europe. Compare total annual costs, not just tuition, before deciding.

Which are the cheapest countries to study in Europe for Indian students?

Based on current tuition and living-cost data, Moldova and Lithuania tend to offer the lowest combined costs among popular options. Confirm programme-specific fees directly with each university before applying.

How can Indian students get scholarships to study in Europe?

Apply early for government schemes like Stipendium Hungaricum and university merit scholarships, which usually require strong academics and English test scores. Check each university’s official scholarship page for current deadlines and eligibility.

Can Indian students work part-time while studying in Europe?

Yes, most of these countries allow part-time work during term and full-time work during holidays, though hours and permit rules vary by country. Confirm the exact work-rights rules for your destination before you arrive.

Which European country has the lowest cost of living for students?

Among these five, Moldova generally offers the lowest monthly living costs, with Lithuania close behind. Actual costs still depend heavily on your city, accommodation type, and personal lifestyle choices.

Conclusion


Choosing among the best countries to study in Europe isn’t really about finding the single cheapest option — it’s about matching your budget, academic goals, and career plans to a destination where the total cost, scholarship access, and post-study opportunities actually work in your favour.

Poland, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, and Hungary each offer a genuinely different trade-off between tuition, cost of living, and long-term value, and the right choice depends entirely on what you’re optimising for.

Before you commit to any university, compare programmes, total costs, scholarship deadlines, admission requirements, and career outcomes side by side — ideally using verified, official sources rather than marketing pages alone. That comparison, more than any single ranking, is what will actually protect your budget and your future.

Luckily, we, The Chopras, have the decades of expertise needed to understand your individual needs. Our experienced counsellors will handle everything, from matching your exact budget to finding the right university to put your ambitions on the fast track. Get in touch with us now for a free profile evaluation!



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