Studying in Europe offers international students a rich cultural experience, world-class education, and access to a diverse range of study environments. However, the cost of living varies significantly depending on the country and city you choose to study in. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of living expenses for popular European destinations to help international students make informed decisions.
Rent and Housing: Housing costs vary based on location. In major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt, monthly rent for a shared apartment is typically between €400 and €800. Smaller cities and towns offer more affordable options, with rent starting at around €250–€400.
Food and Groceries: Expect to spend approximately €150–€250 monthly on groceries. The average cost of dining at a cheap restaurant is between €10 and €15.
Transportation: Germany offers discounted public transport passes for students, with monthly costs ranging from €70–€100.
Health Insurance: Public health insurance for students costs about €110 per month.
Utilities and Internet: Monthly expenses for utilities, including internet, average €150–€250.
Rent and Housing: Accommodation costs vary widely. In Paris, the average monthly rent for a single apartment can range from €800 to €1,200. In other cities like Lyon, Bordeaux, or Lille, you can expect to pay between €400 and €700.
Food and Groceries: Groceries cost approximately €200–€300 per month, with meals at inexpensive restaurants around €12–€20.
Transportation: A monthly public transportation pass in Paris costs approximately €75, while in other cities it tends to be lower, around €30–€50.
Health Insurance: French health insurance is mandatory, costing around €40 per month for students.
Utilities and Internet: Combined monthly costs for utilities and internet typically range from €100–€200.
Rent and Housing: Rent for student housing in cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht is higher, ranging from €600 to €1,200 per month for private accommodation. Student dorms or shared housing can reduce costs to €300–€600.
Food and Groceries: Students generally spend around €200–€350 per month on groceries.
Transportation: Public transportation can cost €80–€100 monthly, but students often use bicycles as a cost-effective alternative.
Health Insurance: Basic health insurance for international students ranges from €80 to €120 per month.
Utilities and Internet: Costs typically average around €150 per month.
Rent and Housing: Housing is relatively affordable in Spain. In cities like Madrid and Barcelona, a shared apartment may cost between €400 and €800. In smaller cities like Valencia, Sevilla, or Granada, rent is usually around €250–€500.
Food and Groceries: Monthly grocery costs average €150–€250, while eating out is relatively cheap, with meals costing around €8–€15.
Transportation: A monthly public transport pass costs around €40–€55 in major cities, while smaller towns may have lower prices.
Health Insurance: Private health insurance plans start at around €50–€100 per month.
Utilities and Internet: Expect to spend between €100 and €200 per month on utilities.
Rent and Housing: Accommodation costs range from €400–€900 per month, with higher prices in cities like Milan and Rome. Smaller cities like Bologna or Florence tend to offer more affordable rents, around €250–€600.
Food and Groceries: On average, groceries cost around €150–€250 monthly, while eating out typically costs €10–€20 per meal.
Transportation: Monthly transport passes cost around €30–€50, depending on the city.
Health Insurance: Health insurance for students costs approximately €150 per year.
Utilities and Internet: Monthly utilities range between €100–€200.
Rent and Housing: Accommodation in Stockholm, Gothenburg, or Malmö can be expensive, with monthly rents ranging from SEK 4,000 to SEK 8,000 (€350–€700). Housing costs are lower in smaller communities.
Food and Groceries: Monthly grocery expenses average around SEK 2,000–SEK 3,000 (€170–€250).
Transportation: A monthly public transport card costs around SEK 500–SEK 800 (€40–€70).
Health Insurance: If your program lasts more than a year, you may be covered by Sweden's public health system. Otherwise, private health insurance costs about SEK 300–SEK 500 (€25–€45) monthly.
Utilities and Internet: Combined monthly costs for utilities and internet range from SEK 1,000 to SEK 2,000 (€85–€170).
Rent and Housing: Monthly rent for student accommodation or shared apartments in Warsaw, Kraków, or Gda?sk ranges from PLN 1,000 to PLN 2,500 (€220–€550). Smaller cities offer lower prices.
Food and Groceries: Students typically spend around PLN 800–PLN 1,200 (€170–€260) per month on groceries.
Transportation: Monthly public transport passes cost about PLN 50–PLN 100 (€10–€20).
Health Insurance: Health insurance plans cost approximately PLN 100–PLN 150 (€20–€30) per month.
Utilities and Internet: Monthly costs average PLN 300–PLN 600 (€65–€130).
Use Student Discounts: Many European countries offer discounts on transport, cultural activities, and shopping.
Consider Smaller Cities: Major cities may offer prestige but come with a higher price tag. Smaller towns often have great education with lower living costs.
Cook at Home: The cost of eating out may go up quickly. In addition to saving money, cooking at home is frequently healthier.
Shared Accommodation: Consider sharing apartments to cut down on rent and utility costs.
Part-Time Work: Where permitted, part-time jobs can help supplement living costs and offer valuable work experience.
Studying in Europe has the potential to be a transformative and enriching experience. By understanding and planning for living costs, international students can make the most of their time abroad without financial stress.
