Studying in Europe: Where It's Cheapest for Ukrainians

28.08.2026, 13:32 visitukraine.today

Tuition costs in Europe vary significantly by country. Find out where Ukrainians can get higher education most affordably in the EU

Against the backdrop of rising education costs in Ukraine, more and more applicants are considering European universities — let's figure out where studying is cheapest for Ukrainians.

In 2025, the cost of contract-based education at Ukrainian higher education institutions increased by almost 30%. According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, this trend will continue in the next academic year — university tuition fees will keep rising.

This was announced during a briefing on March 31 by Deputy Minister of Education Mykola Trofymenko. According to him, the main reason for the price increase is the need for educational institutions to form special funds. In addition, an important factor was the increase in salaries for university staff: by 30% from January 1, 2026, and by another 20% from March 1.

"We should not undercut prices — we must ensure an adequate price for higher education," the official emphasized.

Against the backdrop of such changes, more and more Ukrainian graduates are considering studying abroad rather than in Ukraine. They consider not only the quality of education and university rankings but also the cost of living and tuition.

Choosing a university in Europe?

Visit Ukraine's education lawyers will help you understand document requirements, admission procedures, and legal stay abroad to ensure your education abroad is safe and legally sound.

The cost of education in different EU countries for Ukrainians can vary greatly — and before making a decision about a particular country, all options should be weighed.

Read also: The Best Universities in Ukraine for 2026 Have Been Announced: Kyiv Has Lost Its Top Spot

In many European countries, not only citizens but also foreigners can study for free if they take courses in the country's native language. Various grant and scholarship programs are also available, and many places offer exchange programs.

However, studying in English is much more expensive. The price per semester is also influenced by the form of study, the specifics of the specialty, and the status of the particular university.

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Let's look at the cheapest options for Ukrainians.

In Poland, a year of university education will cost between 1,100 and 5,500 euros per year. However, if studying in English, prices start from 1,800 euros.

To qualify for free education, you need to have a Pole's Card or speak Polish at C1 level. This makes Poland one of the most accessible destinations for Ukrainians, especially for those who already know the Polish language.

In Czechia, studying is relatively inexpensive — prices start from 740 euros per semester (these are the rates at the Karl Englis Institute). High achievers can also access various loyalty programs and scholarships. In addition, many universities have free dormitories on campus.

Education in Czech can be obtained for free. This makes Czechia one of the most attractive destinations for Ukrainian students, especially considering its proximity to Ukraine and the relatively low cost of living.

For Ukrainians, this country, along with Poland, is one of the most attractive for studying — not only because of its proximity to Ukraine but also because of the language.

The annual cost ranges from 700 to 5,000 euros. Dormitories cost around 45–100 euros per month. Slovakia offers quality education at an affordable price, making it an excellent option for those seeking a balance between cost and quality of education.

Prices in this country vary greatly depending on the specialty. Humanities and social sciences are the cheapest — in the range of 1,000–5,000 euros per year. However, applicants who want to study technical, natural sciences, or economics specialties will have to pay more — from 2,000 to 6,000 euros.

Medical education is the most expensive: prices start from 5,000 euros. Bulgaria remains one of the most accessible destinations in the EU, especially for humanities students.

Bachelor's studies in Lithuania will cost approximately 1,300–5,500 euros per year, depending on the specialty and university. Master's programs start from 2,300 euros.

However, medical education and dentistry can cost around 10,000 euros per year. Lithuania offers quality education at moderate prices, especially for students in technical and natural sciences.

Studying in Estonia is more expensive than in Lithuania or Latvia. The cost of one year of study is 5,000–6,000 dollars per year. However, universities also offer grants and budget places for talented applicants.

To apply to a university, you need to have at least 5,936 dollars in your account. Graduates from other countries are also given 9 months to find work in Estonia.

Bachelor's programs cost 1,500–3,000 euros per year, but the cost depends greatly on the university's prestige and the chosen field of study. The study program also affects the price.

Slovenia offers quality education at moderate prices, especially for students willing to study in Slovenian.

For education at a public university, Ukrainians will need to pay from 726 euros per month. This makes Austria one of the more expensive destinations in this review, but at the same time, the country offers high-quality education and many opportunities for international students.

Many students are attracted to Germany by free higher education — however, this does not mean you won't have to pay anything at all. Every semester, you need to pay a "solidarity contribution," which gives you the right to use student benefits: access to the library, student gyms, discounted public transport, and living in dormitories.

The contribution can vary — from 200 to 500 euros per semester. This makes Germany one of the most accessible destinations for studying in Europe, especially considering the high quality of education and many employment opportunities after graduation.

Read also: The Most Popular Majors at Universities in 2026: Where Prospective Students Are Applying

The university tuition fee is only part of the expenses awaiting students abroad, and often a minor one. Living and food expenses amount to approximately 8,000 euros per year, shared Olesia Shakhraiuk, deputy head of Edusteps.

"If we talk about, say, France, Germany, the Netherlands, all this will be a bit more expensive — approximately 10–12 thousand euros, or even 13–14 thousand euros," she added.

Studying in English-speaking countries will be the most expensive — namely in Great Britain, Canada, and the USA. There, living alone will cost from 15 to 25 thousand dollars per year.

Overall, considering both the cost of education and living expenses abroad, Czechia and Slovakia may become the best options for studying abroad.

Against the backdrop of rising education costs in Ukraine, studying in Europe is becoming an increasingly attractive option. European universities offer not only affordable prices but also high-quality education, international diploma recognition, and many employment opportunities after graduation.

In addition, studying in Europe provides an opportunity to gain international experience, learn a foreign language, and expand your professional horizons. For many Ukrainian students, this becomes an investment in the future that pays off within a few years after graduation.

When choosing a country for studying, it's worth considering not only the cost of education but also other factors:

It's also worth paying attention to university rankings and reviews from students already studying at the chosen institutions. This will help make an informed choice and avoid unpleasant surprises in the future.

Planning to apply to one of Europe's leading universities in 2026?

Visit Ukraine's education lawyers will help you understand document requirements, admission procedures, and legal stay abroad to ensure your education abroad is safe and legally sound.

Reminder! Planning to apply to university? The Visit Ukraine team has compiled a TOP-10 World University Rankings. We recommend checking it out and comparing to make an informed choice of educational institution.

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