Study in Europe from Vietnam: Cheapest Countries and Scholarships

Quick answer

To study in Europe from Vietnam on a low budget, look first at Germany, where most public universities charge no tuition, then at Austria, Italy and France, and at Czech-taught programmes in Czechia. Norway stopped being free for non-EU students in 2023, and the Netherlands charges non-EU students several thousand euros a year. Living costs, not tuition, decide most budgets.

• Not sure which country fits your budget and field? Take the 3-minute Odisea test.
• Want a monthly figure for your own city? Use the budget calculator.

Searching “du học châu Âu nước nào rẻ nhất” returns a long list of countries, but a country with “free” tuition can still cost €10,000 a year once rent, food and a visa deposit are counted. Below are the tuition rules from official sources, then monthly costs from the Odisea catalog, work rights, scholarships and the visa route.

Tuition, costs and work rules by country

Tuition is for degree students from outside the EU at public institutions, checked on 5 November 2026. Monthly budgets are Odisea catalog ranges for one example city (rent, food, transport, going out) and are planning figures, not offers.

Germany: the “free” country with conditions

The DAAD says non-EU students in Baden-Württemberg pay €1,500 per semester, and that fees can apply in Bavaria, set by each university. Everywhere, a semester contribution of €70–€430 is due for transport and student services. DAAD advises €900–€1,200 a month and, since 1 January 2025, proof of €992 a month for the student visa.

Vietnamese applicants are asked for an APS certificate, a document check for German admission and the visa. Confirm the current steps and timing on the German Embassy Hanoi website, because the process takes weeks. See how applications work in study in Germany from India.

France, Austria and Italy: low fees, not zero

France uses differentiated fees. Campus France lists €2,895 a year for a licence and €3,941 for a master at public institutions for 2026–27, plus a €105 student-life contribution (CVEC) on its 2025–26 page. Doctorates stay at €397. Some universities exempt a share of international students, so ask. Campus France Senegal puts normal living costs at €800–€1,000 a month; Paris is higher in our catalog, at €900–€1,600.

Austria charges €726.72 per semester at public universities, per Study in Austria, and refunds are possible for some scholarship holders and exchange students. Italy sets fees university by university, so open the fee page of your university before counting it as cheap. Padua has some of the lowest budgets among larger Italian student cities.

Norway and the Netherlands: why they are not the cheap answer

Degree students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland must normally pay tuition in Norway, and the amount varies by institution and programme, according to Study in Norway. Exempt groups include doctoral candidates, institutional exchange students and Erasmus Mundus joint degree students. Costs are covered in the Norway guide.

The Netherlands has a statutory fee of €2,694 for 2026–27, but that is for EU/EEA students only. Study in NL gives the non-EU averages in the table. The Dutch route is mostly realistic with a scholarship, and the NL Scholarship pays €5,000 in the first year, which is not a full-tuition award.

Scholarships open to Vietnamese students

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. You apply directly to the master’s programme, usually between October and January, through the Erasmus+ catalogue. Full scholarships cover participation costs and contribute to travel, visa and living costs. The EU Delegation reports 197 Vietnamese students with full awards from 2014 to 2020. Read the Erasmus Mundus guide.
2. DAAD. Its EPOS programme is for development-related master’s courses. You need an above-average bachelor’s degree and at least two years of work experience, and you apply to the course, not to DAAD. It pays €992 a month for graduates.
3. Eiffel (France). Campus France’s 2025 rules say it funds master’s and PhD students nominated by French institutions, with €1,181 a month at master’s level. It does not pay tuition, and you cannot apply on your own.
4. Italian Government scholarships. The 2026–27 call closed on 26 March 2026 and covered master’s, PhD and research. Watch the Italian Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and the Study in Italy portal for the next call.

Compare these with the Erasmus scholarship rules before assuming a grant exists for your degree.

The national visa in four steps

Most European countries issue a national study visa (type D) at an embassy or consulate in your country of residence, and you apply before travelling.

1. Get an offer from the university first.
2. Check the proof-of-funds amount for the country.
3. For France, open an Études en France account, apply, and attend the Campus France interview.
4. Book the visa appointment and bring insurance and housing proof.

Arranging housing early helps with step 4: see student housing.

About settling after you graduate

“Dễ định cư” is the question students ask most, but no country promises it. The official rules only give a limited search period: Germany up to 18 months, France 12 months at master’s level, Italy and Austria 12 months, Czechia 9 months. After that you need a qualifying job and a residence permit under that country’s rules. Check the immigration authority before you plan around it.

Where to go next

• Cheapest Erasmus destinations
• Best cities for Erasmus
• Study abroad budget guide
• Student accommodation abroad
• Free student WhatsApp groups for questions in the cities you shortlist.

Frequently asked questions

Which country is cheapest for studying in Europe?

For tuition, Germany and Czech-taught programmes are lowest. For living costs, Brno and Padua have the lowest budgets in this table. Compare the full year, not tuition alone.

Is it free to study in Europe?

Rarely completely. Many German public universities charge no tuition, but you still pay a semester contribution and need proof of funds for the visa.

Which country in Europe is the easiest to get into?

Admission depends on your degree, grades and language level, not the country. Germany asks Vietnamese applicants for an APS certificate, and France requires the Campus France interview.

Which European country is easiest to settle in?

No country guarantees it. Each offers a limited search period after graduation, as in the section above.

What is Erasmus Mundus?

It is a set of joint master’s programmes taught in at least two European countries, with full scholarships for the best applicants. You apply to the programme, not to a central office.