Tuition-Free and Low-Cost Universities in Europe for 2027 Applicants
Public universities in several European countries charge no tuition or only small fees, but the rules depend on your citizenship, the teaching language and sometimes the state. Germany (most states), the Czech Republic (for Czech-taught degrees) and the Nordic countries (for EU/EEA students) are the main options; Austria, Poland and Greece also have low or free public study for eligible students.
The three questions that decide your cost
- Are you EU/EEA? Many "free" systems are free only for EU/EEA (and Swiss) citizens.
- What language is the programme taught in? In the Czech Republic and Poland, studying in the local language is the free route; English-taught degrees usually charge fees.
- Which state or university? Germany is decided state by state, and individual universities (like TUM) can set their own policy.
Country-by-country summary
| Country | Who studies free or cheaply | Main catch | Examples on UniversitiesDB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Most public universities charge only a semester contribution | Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students tuition; TUM charges most non-EU students since 2024 | LMU Munich, Heidelberg University, TUM |
| Czech Republic | Anyone studying in Czech at a public university | English-taught programmes charge tuition | Charles University, CTU Prague, Masaryk University |
| Austria | Low fees for EU/EEA students | Higher fees for most non-EU students | University of Vienna, TU Wien, WU Vienna |
| Denmark and Sweden | EU/EEA and Swiss students | Non-EU students pay tuition (scholarships exist) | University of Copenhagen, DTU, KTH, Lund University |
| Poland | Polish and EU citizens studying in Polish | English-taught programmes charge tuition | University of Warsaw, Jagiellonian University |
| Greece | Greek/EU students admitted via national exams | Most undergraduate teaching is in Greek | National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki |
Don't forget living costs
Free tuition doesn't mean free study. Rent, health insurance and, for non-EU students, proof of funds for a visa are usually the biggest costs. Munich, Copenhagen and Stockholm are much more expensive than Brno or Thessaloniki.
FAQ
Is studying in Germany still free for international students?
At most public universities, yes, apart from a semester contribution. Exceptions include universities in Baden-Württemberg (such as Heidelberg) for most non-EU students, and TUM since 2024.
Can I study medicine for free in Europe in English?
Rarely. English-taught medicine at public universities in Central Europe (for example Charles University or Semmelweis) usually charges tuition.
Are Nordic universities free?
For EU/EEA and Swiss students, yes. Other international students pay tuition, though government and university scholarships are available.
Fee policies change. Check each university's official fee page for your intake year. Last checked October 2026.
Universities in Germany
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
TUM is the highest-ranked German university for engineering, serving 51,954 students from 140+ countries. Tuition is free for all students.
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)
LMU Munich is a public research university founded in 1472 in Ingolstadt and based in Munich since 1826, one of Germany's leading universities, with low semester fees and no tuition for most programmes.
Heidelberg University
Heidelberg University, founded in 1386, is Germany's oldest university, a public research university known for medicine, natural sciences, law and humanities in a historic city setting.