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Postgraduate Student Living Costs in Europe
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Europe is a big place, so it’s no wonder that the cost of living can vary dramatically from place to place. The countries that are relatively new to the EU are much cheaper places to live than the more established members of the European Union. Whereas cities like London and Paris can be very expensive to live in. The price of food and drink is so variable across Europe from country to country as well as from city to city.
In the UK, most universities now recommend budgeting between around £900 and £1,400 per month for living costs outside London and at least £1,300 to £1,800 per month in London, to cover accommodation, food, local travel, study materials and personal expenses.
Across Europe, the average annual living costs for students tend to range from about €9,600 in more affordable destinations to €13,200 or more in higher-cost countries and cities.
So, with that in mind let’s see how some key European study destinations compare for postgraduate students in 2026.
Living costs around the EU
Austria is generally considered an expensive place to live but if you are a student cheap accommodation can still be found. The price of a student room in Vienna is approximately €450 to €650 per month for a room in shared accommodation, with student hall places sometimes a little cheaper depending on location and facilities. Student rooms for foreign students in Graz (the second largest city in Austria) often range from about €350 to €550 per month, so are comparable with the UK. The OeAD Housing Office (information about student halls of residence in Austria) provides a list of available student accommodation.
Brussels in Belgium regularly appears in the mid-to-upper range of European cost-of-living rankings, with overall prices similar to many other Western European capitals. A single student dorm room can still cost from around €450 to €700 a month depending on neighbourhood and whether utilities are included. Food and eating out are also relatively expensive compared with Eastern European cities, so careful budgeting is important.
Bulgaria remains one of the most affordable EU countries for students, with cities such as Sofia and Plovdiv offering comparatively low costs for rent, food and local transport. Bulgaria is full of culture and is a great alternative destination for the more unconventional student. Private rooms in shared flats can often be found from around €200 to €350 a month, with student dormitories sometimes cheaper.
Cyprus is a relatively cheap European option compared with many Western and Northern European countries, although prices have risen in recent years. It costs around €300 to €450 for a single room in shared accommodation in cities such as Nicosia or Limassol, which is more than reasonable, and with the beautiful weather and food it’s a great place to be a student.
In a recent European cost-of-living ranking, Helsinki, the capital of Finland, sits toward the upper end of the table (number 31 out of 213) in terms of everyday expenses, although it is still generally cheaper than the most expensive Swiss and UK cities. However, while tuition has introduced fees for many non-EU/EEA students, EU/EEA students and those studying in Finnish or Swedish still benefit from free tuition at public institutions, so the extra living cost may be offset by savings on study for some students.
Paris in France is regularly listed among the best student cities in the world, but on the downside, it is also one of the more expensive European capitals to live in. Rooms start at around €600 to €900 per month for a room in a shared apartment in Paris, with smaller cities in the country typically more affordable. Study fees are relatively low at public universities, so it may be worth going for the great experience. Other French cities are considerably cheaper such as Nantes, Lille and Lyon (which all sit well below Paris in recent European cost-of-living tables making them much more affordable).
Living expenses in Germany vary considerably. For example, student rooms can be found in smaller cities such as Leipzig or Dresden for around €350 to €500 per month, while in larger metropolitan areas like Munich or Hamburg, prices are significantly higher. Berlin is more expensive than it once was, with rooms in shared flats now averaging around €600 to €900 per month in many central districts. Despite this, Germany remains popular thanks to comparatively low or moderate tuition fees at many public institutions.
Ireland is no longer considered a particularly cheap place to live, especially in the major cities, although costs do vary between regions. The capital city – Dublin – now ranks among the more expensive European cities for rent and everyday spending, ranking above formerly comparable UK destinations like Oxford, Brighton and Guildford. Rooms in flat-shares average at around €750 to well over €1,000 per month in popular student areas. Other cities such as Cork, Galway and Limerick are generally cheaper, but still require a careful budget for accommodation and utilities.
Iceland’s capital city – Reykjavik – is regularly placed among the more expensive European cities in cost-of-living indices, reflecting high prices for groceries, utilities and leisure activities. Student rooms vary between about €500 and €900 per month equivalent, depending on whether you choose halls of residence or private shared housing.
Milan in Italy ranks relatively high for living expenses (taking the top spot in one index for southern Europe), particularly for central accommodation and tourist-focused districts, whereas other Italian cities like Pisa (number 23) and Naples (number 20) appear lower down the cost-of-living rankings – so there is a very large difference in living costs in Italy, with the south often cheaper than the north. Rooms in Rome, ranked 9th on the index, can vary between €500 and €900 a month for shared flats, depending on location. Cities such as Pisa, Catania and Turin offer somewhat more moderate rents, which may appeal to budget‑conscious postgraduates.
Lithuania is not an expensive place to live. Rooms in the student-friendly capital Vilnius cost between about €300 and €500 per month, and the city itself remains toward the more affordable end of the European cost-of-living scale. Lower everyday costs for food and local transport can make Lithuania a particularly attractive option for students who want to keep their budget under tight control.
Luxembourg appears as one of the more expensive European cities in many rankings, reflecting high average incomes and housing costs. However, tuition fees are low (averaging €400-800 per semester) which may help seal the deal for studying at a postgraduate level in such an expensive place. Rooms for students in shared accommodation typically start from around €700 per month and can rise considerably for central locations.
Amsterdam, capital of The Netherlands, sits close to the top of European cost-of-living tables and is known for particularly high housing demand. Amsterdam has a thriving student community, however, with rooms to be found for as little as €600 a month in shared flats, rising to €900 or more in popular central areas. Other Dutch cities such as Groningen, Eindhoven and Tilburg may offer more affordable options while still providing high-quality universities.
Norway’s capital Oslo regularly appears close to the top of lists of the most expensive cities to live in Europe. Food is also expensive here, but travel can be reasonable and public universities do not charge tuition fees for most students, including many international postgraduates, which helps balance the higher cost of living. Student rooms start at around NOK 4,500 to NOK 7,000 (approximately €380 to €600) per month in student villages and shared apartments.
With many cities in Poland appearing in the lower half of European cost-of-living rankings, it is easy to see why more people are choosing to study there. EU and non-EU students pay the same in tuition fees, which are generally competitive compared with Western Europe. Rooms in Krakow start at around €250 to €400 in shared accommodation, making it a clear choice for those who want to experience European culture on a budget.
Lisbon in Portugal now appears around the middle of the European cost-of-living rankings, with everyday expenses higher than in some Eastern European destinations but lower than in many Northern European capitals. Rooms in Lisbon start at around €400 to €650 per month in shared flats, depending on proximity to the centre and the university. So, if you love the sun as well as the dark library then this could be a good option.
Cities in Spain are amongst the most beautiful in Europe and vary in living expense, with smaller cities such as Valencia and Seville generally cheaper and Barcelona and Madrid the most expensive. That said, you can still find student accommodation in Madrid for around €450 to €750 per month in shared housing, especially if you are willing to live further from the city centre. Lower everyday costs for food and social life compared with some Northern European capitals help keep overall budgets manageable.
Sweden does not charge EU members tuition fees, which is just as well as it is not a cheap place to live with its capital city Stockholm regularly appearing in the top tier of European cost-of-living tables. Rooms start at a not-too-bad average of around €500 to €800 per month in student housing and shared flats, but availability can be tight in Stockholm and Gothenburg at peak times. Non‑EU students should also factor in tuition fees, which can be substantial on top of living costs.
Switzerland remains one of the most expensive places to live in Europe, with Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Lugano and Bern occupying the top six spots for the cost of living in Europe. Rooms in Zurich cost at least CHF 800 to CHF 1,200 (approximately €820 to €1,230) per month in shared flats, with studios and central apartments considerably higher. Public universities in Switzerland often have comparatively low tuition fees, which helps offset some of the high day‑to‑day costs for students.
Finding the best country for your studies
Don’t forget that there can be huge variation in living costs in one country and even within one city, so do not be put off by these statistics. You may find bargain accommodation if you look hard enough and with some of the most expensive cities on the list also having some of the most affordable courses (ie low or no tuition fees), it is certainly not a simple decision.
Get a notepad out and start mapping out what you want out of postgraduate study, what you want out of a city or a campus and try to marry the two together to find your ideal student destination. Have fun!
The rankings information for the cost of living in European cities in this article has been informed by recent data from sources including Numbeo, Expatistan, Mercer and Xpatulator.
It is advisable to check with individual universities in the UK and Europe for the latest tuition fee information for all postgraduate programs, and to confirm any eligibility for state-backed loan or grant schemes before you apply.
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