Studying abroad sounds exciting, right? But when you see how expensive it is, it almost feels impossible. Flights, tuition fees, rent, food – it all adds up. That’s why so many students stop dreaming about studying in other countries.
But what if we told you some European countries will actually sponsor your full education – including your tuition, flight tickets, and even your living expenses?
Yes, it’s true. There are European countries that offer fully funded scholarships to international students from all over the world. These scholarships cover everything you need, and you don’t have to be rich or from a top university to apply.
Let’s look at the countries that give you a chance to study for free and even support your living while you’re there.
1. Germany
Germany is one of the most popular study destinations in the world because its public universities charge zero tuition fees, even for international students. That’s right – education in Germany is basically free.
But here’s the best part. Germany also offers fully funded scholarships like DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), which pays for:
- Your full tuition
- Flight costs
- Monthly living allowance
- Health insurance
- Study materials
You just need to have decent academic records, a motivation letter, and sometimes basic work or project experience.
2. Norway
In Norway, all public universities offer free education – even for non-European students. You don’t pay a single penny for tuition.
While the cost of living is high, there are scholarships like the Quota Scheme or university-specific grants that help students with living expenses. You can also work part-time to support yourself.
There’s no age limit, and many programs are available in English.
3. Finland
Finland offers a large number of fully funded scholarships for non-EU/EEA students. These scholarships are provided by the government and individual universities.
If you apply for a Master’s or Bachelor’s program, you may get:
- 100% tuition fee waiver
- Monthly living allowance
- Health insurance
Some popular Finnish scholarships include the Finland Scholarship and EDUFI Fellowship. Many universities don’t even ask for IELTS if you studied in English before.
4. Sweden
Sweden charges tuition for students outside the EU, but there are generous scholarships available. The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals is a fully funded program that covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend for living
- Insurance
- Travel allowance
Universities in Sweden like Uppsala University, Lund University, and KTH also offer fully funded scholarships to international students with strong academic backgrounds.
5. France
France is known for its rich culture, but also for its affordable and high-quality education. Public universities charge very low tuition fees – often under €500 per year.
But if you want to go completely tuition-free and get paid while studying, the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is your chance. It is fully funded and includes:
- Full tuition
- Monthly living allowance
- International travel costs
- Health insurance
It is mostly for Master’s and PhD students who want to study in top universities in France.
6. Austria
Austria offers low tuition fees (around €700 per semester), but international students can apply for several scholarships that cover all costs.
The Austrian Government Scholarships, offered through OeAD, provide:
- Monthly living costs
- Health insurance
- Travel allowance
- Full or partial tuition fee coverage
Many public universities offer English-taught programs and accept students from all over the world.
7. Hungary
Hungary has become a favorite for budget-friendly education in Europe. The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship is a government program that gives students from many countries a chance to study for free.
It covers:
- Tuition fees
- Monthly stipend
- Accommodation or housing allowance
- Health insurance
You can study everything from medicine and engineering to arts and economics. Universities like the University of Debrecen and Eötvös Loránd University are part of this program.
8. Poland
While Poland does charge tuition for international students, it’s still quite low compared to other European countries.
What makes it even better are the scholarships offered by the Polish government and individual universities. The Poland NAWA Scholarship offers full funding for international students, including:
- Tuition fee waiver
- Monthly allowance
- Settlement and travel grants
Poland also has a lower cost of living, which makes it even easier to manage your expenses.
9. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic offers free education if you study in the Czech language, but even English-taught programs are very affordable.
The Czech Government Scholarships are for students from developing countries and cover:
- Tuition fees
- Living costs
- Health insurance
- Travel support
Many universities also offer their own full scholarships for students in technical and medical fields.
10. Lithuania
Lithuania is one of the lesser-known but rising destinations for international students. It offers several fully funded scholarships through the Lithuanian State Scholarship Program.
These scholarships cover:
- Tuition
- Monthly allowance
- Living expenses
Many courses are available in English, and universities in Lithuania are welcoming more students from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East every year.
What Do These Scholarships Usually Cover?
Most fully funded European scholarships give you:
- 100% tuition fee waiver
- Monthly stipend (for rent, food, transport)
- Health insurance
- Travel allowance (flight tickets)
- Study materials (books, laptop, etc.)
In many cases, students are also allowed to work part-time while studying.
What You Need to Apply
Each scholarship and university is different, but here are the basic things you’ll usually need:
- Passport
- Previous academic certificates
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- CV or resume
- Language proof (some don’t ask for IELTS if your earlier studies were in English)
For fully funded programs, the competition is high – so make sure your documents are strong and error-free.
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone who dreams of studying abroad but doesn’t have a big budget, don’t give up. These European countries are giving thousands of students the chance to change their future.
With the right information and preparation, you could be one of them.
Start early, explore your options, prepare your documents, and apply before deadlines. You don’t need to be rich or lucky — you just need to take action.
If you want help choosing a country, finding the right scholarship, or writing a strong application, just let me know. I’m here to help you every step of the way.