According to a report by the European Commission, seven countries on the Old Continent have zero-cost tuition for EU students (Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Sweden and Norway).
For their part, the rest of the students from non-EU countries do have to pay the academic fees of these universities. In addition, they are the countries that grant the most scholarships and with the highest amounts and occupy the best positions in the international and European rankings for being successful models.
Proficiency in English is essential for most universities, as it requires at least a B2 level according to the European reference framework.
On the other hand, many of the countries that do not charge tuition fees also provide generous study aid, such as child support scholarships and student loans, because life in some of them is quite high.
The aid criteria varies from one country to another. The European Commission report entitled National rates for students and aid systems indicates that, in the Nordic countries, the student is considered as an individual, and thus eligible to receive aid.
However, in other countries it is considered that family circumstances and some forms of help can be offered to other members of the family, rather than to the student himself, in the form of tax benefits.
Austria
EU students who want to study in Austria have free fees, with semester administration fees of only 17 euros per semester. If you are not a European student, the fees range between 363 and 726 euros per semester, in addition to 17.5 euros for the student association membership fee and 50 euros for insurance per semester.
Finland
Regardless of where you live, Finland offers a free university education, as long as the application is accepted. There are no fees, regardless of the level of studies and the nationality of the student. However, tuition for non-EU students will start to be paid from autumn 2017.
The country itself is expensive, but it is a small price to pay to study in a place known for its high quality of life with one of the best education systems in the world.
Germany
If only tuition costs are considered, the country that stands out is Germany. It has free rates for all university students (local and foreign). According to the portals internationale-studierende.de, study-in.de, and research-in-germany.org, universities in this country do not charge tuition, but an administrative tax of around 240 euros per semester must be paid. . In some German States, the institutions charge a contribution per semester (about 50 euros) and/or administration costs for each of the procedures.
Master’s and doctoral studies are also free. The latter have a special category, since the student will have to pay tuition only after completing their first six semesters, but they are required to pay a semester contribution of between 150 and 200 euros.
On the other hand, only two of the 16 German Länders charge registration fees: Bavaria and Lower Saxony.
Norway
It has free education, but with some semester fees that vary from one university to another. They have rates that are around 50-100 Norwegian crowns (46-92 euros) per semester. Rates are free for all titles (undergraduate or postgraduate).
However, Norway is one of the most expensive countries to live in Europe and consequently offers free healthcare to students staying for more than three months. Like Denmark, it offers a wide range of degrees in English free of charge to EU students. Students also have to pay a semester fee of 300 (31.5 euros) to 600 kroner (63 euros) each semester.
Private institutions do have tuition fees, but they are significantly lower than those in other countries.
Sweden
European students are exempt from paying university tuition and application fees. The Swedish Institute and a significant number of universities offer full and partial scholarships for international students in the form of tuition waivers.
Doctoral studies are scholarships from organizations for which researchers do not have to pay fees and receive a monthly salary.
Tuition fees without scholarships vary between 80,000 (8,559 euros) and 140,000 SEK (14,975 euros) per academic year.
Greece
The Greek university also has free centers, as long as it is done in a public institution. Textbooks are also free for those universities. The digital student card (3.2 euros) includes 50% discounts on transport.
Denmark
It offers completely free access to its universities for European citizens. One of the objectives of the Danish Government is to attract these new highly qualified professionals. For this, they put all the necessary conditions. For example, the teaching of the Danish language is essential and the state offers free classes (among other support tools). Danish universities are among the most prestigious institutions on the planet due to their high level of demand.
France
France has fees of 180 euros a year for most of their races. In addition, it has a large number of grants available to students to cover living expenses. The price of the master’s fees oscillate around 240 euros and the doctorates, 360 euros.
In Luxembourg, university students have to pay fees of less than 400 euros per year. In other countries, undergraduate studies also have reduced prices (up to a maximum of 1,000 euros per course): the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Iceland, Belgium, Bulgaria and Portugal.
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