10 countries where university education is free or affordable in 2026

Here's a list of 10 countries where university education is free or relatively affordable for international students in 2026. Tuition policies can vary by university and program, but these countries remain among the best options for students on a budget.

Best countries if your budget is extremely limited

🇩🇪 Germany

🇦🇹 Austria

🇫🇷 France

🇨🇿 Czech Republic (if studying in Czech)

🇹🇷 Turkey

Countries with generous scholarship opportunities

Finland

Hungary

Turkey

Germany

France

Typical annual living costs

Germany: €10,000–€12,000

France: €9,000–€13,000

Austria: €10,000–€14,000

Poland: €6,000–€9,000

Hungary: €6,000–€10,000

Malaysia: $4,000–$7,000

If you're applying from Ghana or Nigeria, Germany, Hungary, Turkey, and France are particularly popular because they combine relatively low tuition with scholarship opportunities and well-established student visa pathways.