For ease of comparing figures and costs across countries, we have converted all numbers in this Abroadin article into euros (€).
London
London is Europe’s #1 city and usually sits in the worldwide top 3–5. It is home to over 290000 international students and dominates the Employer Activity and University Rankings categories.
Great opportunities for students in London include endless internships at Google, Goldman Sachs, and startups in Shoreditch.
Yet, it’s considered an expensive destination for international students. For instance, shared accommodation in Zone 2–3 starts at €900 per month, which some international students cannot afford.
Munich, One of the Affordable Cities Europe
Germany’s “secret capital” regularly holds the European #1 spot in the QS Best Student Cities Ranking (though it is currently in 4th place). Almost 39000 international students are studying at universities in this city.
Free or low-tuition public universities, often charging less than €500 per semester in administrative fees, attract many talented students from around the world.
Munich, one of the best cities for international students in Europe, offers near-free education (admin fees only €150 to €500 per semester), affordable dorms from €300 per month, and the €49 Deutschlandticket for unlimited nationwide travel.
Some big companies, like BMW and Siemens, are on your doorstep in Munich. It’s also considered the safest big-city feeling in Europe.
Paris, One of the Best Cities for International Students in Europe
The City of Light needs no introduction! Grande écoles, Sorbonne prestige, and a metro that actually works 24/7 most of the time are just some attractions in this European city.
Paris provides €3.30 croissants & coffee to international students everywhere. It offers free museum entry to EU residents under 26 and discounted entry to others.
Living in the suburbs (such as Saint-Denis or Créteil) and commuting to the university every day can save international students up to €600 a month.
Paris offers CROUS dorms from €200 to €450 per month, and private studios from around €700 to €900. Choose Saint-Denis or Créteil for cheaper rents (€500 to €700) and fast RER commutes, saving international students up to €600 per month.
Berlin
If someone says “best student lifestyle in Europe”, nine times out of ten, they mean Berlin! Some clubs never close, street art everywhere, kebabs at 3 a.m. for €4, and rent you won’t believe.
Berlin, like many other German cities, has tuition-free universities for international students. The cost of living in Berlin is estimated at € 2100 per month for a single person, including rent, utilities, food, transport, and other essentials.
Taking a €49 Deutschland ticket for unlimited trains across the country is a simple yet effective affordability tip for international students in Germany.
Central WG rooms in Berlin cost €400 to €600 every month, complete apartments €800 to €1200. Even trendy districts stay affordable, leaving international students’ cash for endless clubs and €4 kebabs without breaking the bank.
You can find a practical list of the top 10 universities in Germany here on the Abroadin blog. Read through our blog to find more.
Zurich, One of the Affordable Cities Europe
Zurich is one of the best cities for international students in Europe. ETH Zurich consistently ranks among the top 10 universities worldwide. Everything is expensive in Switzerland, but generous scholarships help international students.
They can have part-time jobs up to 15–20 hours every week. After graduation, they get into positions with starting salaries of €86000 to €129000.
Zurich is regularly ranked among the world’s safest study cities. Current international students say you can leave your laptop in the library and find it days later.
Zurich student housing eases the sting of high rents. ETH dorms cost from €430 to €860 every month, shared WG rooms €650 to €1080, or private studios €1290 to €1930.
Vienna, One of the Best Cities for International Students in Europe
The Austrian education system is similar to Germany’s. Vienna offers low tuition for non-EU students, as low as €750 per academic semester, and it’s considered one of the safe study cities.
Most Austrian universities provide excellent support to international students. They have welcoming programs, language classes, student groups, and mentors to help students feel at home.
The gorgeous architecture, free-standing opera tickets, Prater amusement park, and coffee house culture, which is basically made for dissertation writing, are among the attractions for international students.
Dorms in Vienna €300 to €450 for each month, shared WG flats €450 to €650, private studios €700 to €900, leaving plenty for €750 every semester, tuition, free opera nights, and endless coffees in UNESCO-listed cafés.
Do you know which universities in Europe are the best for international students? Check them out in Abroadin.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is ranked 20th among the world’s student cities for the current academic year. It’s the only city in the Netherlands to appear in the QS Best Student Cities 2026.
If Dutch is a barrier for you, you should know that over 90% of locals speak fluent English. Most Master’s programs are entirely in English, too.
The Netherlands is one of Europe’s most student-friendly countries. It attracts more than 120000 international students each year. A little tip: Apply for student housing in Amsterdam early.
Amsterdam student rooms start at €500 to €750 (for dorms and WG) if booked early via DUWO or HousingAnywhere; private studios start at €900. Demand there is fierce, so apply 12 months ahead.
Edinburgh, One of the Affordable Cities Europe
If London prices scare you but you still want a top-20 global university, head north to one of the affordable cities Europe. Monthly expenses for an international student in Edinburgh range from around €2280 to €2850, excluding rent.
Edinburgh is one of the safest and most welcoming cities in the UK for international students. You can walk home alone after midnight. This city offers a sense of security that quickly puts fears to rest.
The capital of Scotland is a city with great history and culture. It’s considered one of the best cities for international students in Europe.
Edinburgh University halls cost €500 to €650 every month, shared flats €500 to €970, private studios €1000 to €1380, keeping total monthly spend €2280 to €2840 while enjoying top-20 universities and living in one of the safe study cities.
Find out about UK business schools for international students here if you are looking for affordable cities in Europe.
Prague, One of the Best Cities for International Students in Europe
The Czech Republic is a great place to study abroad. It has a high standard of living, a low crime rate, and good quality education. Many good universities in this country offer a variety of courses for students.
Charles University in Prague was founded in 1348 (older than most countries) and offers hundreds of English-language programs for international students.
If you are an international student living in Prague, weekend trips to Vienna or Berlin cost you €20 each! A tram ticket costs less than a coffee in London.
Prague student rents stay wallet-friendly. Most dorms cost €150 to €300 per month, shared flats €350 to €550, and private studios €600 to €900. It leaves cash for €20 weekend trains to Vienna or Berlin, and trams are cheaper than a London latte.
Budapest
Hungary’s capital offers some of the lowest living costs in the EU while still feeling cosmopolitan. That’s why many international talents target this country for higher studies.
Stipendium Hungaricum scholarships cover tuition and a stipend for thousands of international students each academic year.
Although language is challenging there, Hungarian is the only official language of the country, and it’s the first language of almost 99% of the total population.
Budapest is considered one of the affordable cities Europe. Dorms €150 to €250 for each month, shared apartments €300 to €450, private studios €500 to €700. It is paired with Stipendium Hungaricum’s full tuition coverage and monthly stipends.
Read more about Budapest, and study in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary in Abroadin.
Conclusion
From London’s career opportunities to Berlin’s affordability, and from tuition-free German cities to scholarship-rich Zurich and historic Prague, every student lifestyle finds its perfect match.
This Abroadin article guided you through the safe study cities and the best cities for international students in Europe. Your perfect European student city is waiting.
Let’s discuss in the comments section: Which one of above cities you choose to continue your studies abroad?
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