Top 11 Free Education Countries for Indian Students in 2026-27
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From Germany, Norway, Austria, Sweden, to Netherlands, check out top free education countries for Indian students in 2026. Explore the average tuition fees, best courses, & top universities you should not miss out when considering study abroad countries
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Table of Contents
- List of Top Countries Offering Free Education to Indian Students in 2026
- Other Countries Offering Affordable Education to Indian Students in 2026
- Eligibility Criteria and Admission Requirements to Study in Free Education Countries for Indian Students
- Embark on a Journey of Knowledge with Our Guide to Countries with Free Education
When searching for options for higher education abroad, many are drawn tofree education countries for Indian students. These countries offer high-quality academic programs without the burden of tuition fees, making them an attractive choice for students worldwide.
From Germany and Norway to Austria and Sweden, these are the countries that offer free education to international students to pursue their academic dreams without financial stress.
List of Top Countries Offering Free Education to Indian Students in 2026
The countries that offer free education have made significant strides in providing a haven for free education to Indian students, marking a crucial milestone toward ensuring equitable access to education for all. So, which country offers free education for Indian students?
|
Country |
Tuition Fee (in EUR) |
Average Cost of Living (EUR) |
|
Germany |
Free |
1,040 - 1,277 |
|
Norway |
Free at Public Universities |
1,211 - 1,578 |
|
Finland |
Free or nominal fees at applied universities with scholarships covering most tuition fee |
978 - 1,296 |
|
Austria |
EUR 762 per semester |
1,048 - 1,304 |
|
Sweden |
EUR 7,500 |
924 - 1,217 |
|
Czech Republic |
Free (Czech taught courses); up to EUR 6,250 (English taught courses) |
823 - 1,071 |
|
France |
Low tuition fees at public universities range from EUR 300 - EUR 800 |
1,039 - 1,249 |
|
Luxumbourg |
Free for all students, but English-taught degrees cost around EUR 400 per semester |
|
|
Belgium |
1,000 - 2,500 |
963 - 1,297 |
|
Italy |
Starting from EUR 900 |
894 - 1,103 |
|
The Netherlands |
8,000 - 16,000 |
1,165 - 1,646 |
Let us now understand these countries with free education in more detail
1. Germany
If you are wondering, “Is education free in Germany for Indian students?”, the answer is yes. Germany is one of the countries that offers free education for Indian students. Students are eligible for free education in Germany if they have a valid student visa and can apply for it if they are enrolled in a degree program at a university or college.
The country offers a remarkable combination of international universities and high-quality Germany free education for Indian students. Students can get an excellenthigh standard of living in Germany. With over 300public universities in Germanyand a wide range of study programs, students can enjoy the benefit of free education and numerous options.
Here is a list of the top Universities in Germany for International Students.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Top Universities |
Technische Universität München Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Freie Universität Berlin |
|
DAAD Scholarships Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships Erasmus+ Program |
|
|
Best Courses to Study |
Engineering, Computer Science, Business Management, Medicine and Healthcare, AI and Machine Learning |
Also Read:Top universities in Germany for masters
2. Norway
Norway is a country in Northern Europe and one of the countries for free education for Indian students. Norway has a very high income per capita, making it one of the richest countries in the world today.
There is no tuition fee in some of thebest universities in Norway, however, only a small registration fee must be paid. Talking about the countries with free undergraduate education, Post-Graduate, and Doctorate level Programs Norway offers free-of-cost education irrespective of your nationality, but you need to be proficient in Norwegian.
Top Universities and Their Rankings in Norway include:
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Top Universities |
University of Oslo University of Bergen Norwegian University of Science and Technology UiT The Arctic University of Tromso Norwegian University of Life Sciences |
|
Scholarships |
Norwegian Quota Scheme Erasmus+ Program BI Presidential Scholarship |
|
Best Courses to Study |
Engineering, Computer Science, Business Management, Medicine and Healthcare, AI and Machine Learning |
3. Finland
Finland is one of the best countries considering which country provides free education for Indian students. Finland has one of the highest literacy rates in Europe when compared to other nations that offer free education to Indian students, like France or Germany.
Finland has been ranked as one of the most attractive destinations in Europe for international students who want to pursue higher education. The country has also been ranked as one of the best free education countries for Indian students after 12th in terms of quality and affordability.
Top Universities in Finland for International Students
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Top Universities |
University of Helsinki Aalto University University of Turku University of Jyväskylä Lappeenranta University of Technology |
|
Scholarships |
Finland Government Scholarship Pool University of Helsinki International Grant EDUFI Fellowships |
|
Best Courses to Study |
Engineering, Computer Science, Education, Environmental Studies |
You can read about thecost of studying in Finlandhere.
4. Austria
Austria has a strong economy and high standard of living because they provide free education countries for Indian students who want to study abroad or else want to study locally.
International students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or European Union (EU) who choose to study in Austria are subject to a tuition fee of EUR 730 (equivalent to INR 62,637) per semester.
However, this fee is reasonable considering theeducation system in Austriais world-renowned, which makes it an attractive destination for students worldwide.
Top Universities in Austria for International Students
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Top Universities |
Medical University of Vienna University of Vienna Medical University of Graz Medical University of Innsbruck Technische Universitat Wien |
|
Scholarships |
Austrian Government (OeAD) Scholarships Helmut Veith Stipend Erasmus+ Program |
|
Best Courses to Study |
Media and Communication Studies, Agriculture and Forestry, veterinary Medicine and Performing Arts |
5. Sweden
Sweden is good and among the best Countries with free education. The country has many universities, colleges, and schools that offer affordable quality education.
Sweden is one of the best countries offering free education to international students well renowned for its excellent public universities, although students are required to pay tuition fees for most programs.
However, Indian students have the benefit of pursuing a Ph.D. without any tuition fees. Additionally, Ph.D. students can avail themselves of financial support offered by the country to aid their research endeavors.
Check out the top universities in Sweden for international students below.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Top Universities |
Karolinska institutet Lund University Stockholm university Uppsala University University of Gothenburg |
|
Scholarships |
Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP) Chalmers IPOET Scholarships Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarships |
|
Best Courses to Study |
Engineering, Computer Science, Business and Environmental Studies |
Planning to relocate to Sweden? Read about thethings to know before moving to Sweden.
6. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is one of the best countries to study abroad for free. It has a good reputation for education, with its universities ranking among the top 100 in Europe.
In the Czech Republic, free higher education is available to students of all nationalities, provided they have proficiency in the local language. Additionally, the tuition fees for English programs are very affordable, making education in the country accessible to a wider range of international students.
Top Universities in the Czech Republic for International Students
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Top Universities |
Charles University Prague Masaryk University Brno Palacky University Olomouc Czech Technical University Prague Czech University of Life Sciences |
|
Scholarships |
Czech Government Scholarships South Moravian Center for International Mobility Erasmus+ Program |
|
Best Courses to Study |
Engineering, Arts, Humanities, Medicine |
7. France
France is a sought-after destination for students when it comes to Countries with free education. It offers immense opportunities to study in France for Indian students.
Answering the question of how to study abroad for free, Students can get free education at public universities and private universities, as well as technical schools. France has a long tradition of offering free education to its citizens.
Top Universities in France for International Students
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Top Universities |
Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres) Ecole Polytechnique Sorbonne University Գٰܱé Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon |
|
Scholarships |
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program Charpak Scholarships Emile Boutmy Scholarship |
|
Best Courses to Study |
Engineering, Business Management, Fashion & Luxury, Hospitality and Tourism |
Explore all you need to know aboutFrance Student Visa Requirements.
8. Luxembourg
Luxembourg is one of the best choice for aspirants searching for which country offers free education for indian students in 2026. The country offers tuition free education to all its students, at a minimum cost of only EUR 400. Luxembourg is best country to study finance, business an technology.
The GDP of Luxembourg is considered high and is a center for one of the best economies in Europe, making it a good destination for international students as they have immediate access to job opportunities upon graduation
Top Universities in Luxembourg for International Students
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Top Universities |
University of Luxembourg European Business University United Business Institutes |
|
Scholarships |
Luxembourg Ministry of Higher Education Scholarships Erasmus+ Scholarships |
|
Best Courses to Study |
Finance, Business, Technology, Law |
9. Belgium
Belgium is a great country to study in, as it offers free education for Indian students. It has excellent infrastructure and job opportunities after graduation. The weather is also quite pleasant, with good student food and transport facilities.
Belgium offers affordable education to EU students, with tuition fees capped at EUR 906 per year, irrespective of their language community. Non-EU international students, although not eligible for free education in Europe, still benefit from relatively economical tuition fees, averaging around EUR 4,175 annually.
Top Universities in Belgium for International Students
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Top Universities |
KU Leuven Ghent University Universite Catholique University of Antwerp Universite Libre de Bruxelles |
|
Scholarships |
VLIR-UOS Scholarships ARES Scholarships Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarships |
|
Best Courses to Study |
Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences, Business Management, Medicine and Healthcare, International Relations, Data Science |
10. Italy
Italy is a beautiful country with free education for International Students. Italian universities have a good reputation, which makes them one of the best places in Europe for students from all over the world.
The country is also known for its high-quality education system that offers everything from undergraduate programs to doctorates in various fields, including medicine, engineering, and humanities.
Top Universities in Italy for International Students
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Top Universities |
University of Padua University of Bologna Sapienza University Rome University of Milan University of Naples Federico II |
|
Scholarships |
Invest Your Talent in Italy Italian Government Scholarships Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships |
|
Best Courses to Study |
Engineering, Arts, Fashion & Luxury, Business Management, Finance, Computer Science, Data Science, Hospitality or Culinary Arts |
Read about the bestpublic universities in Italyhere!
11. The Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the best countries for free education countries for Indian students. It has a high-quality and affordable system, providing free public education to all citizens.
TheNetherlands educational systemwas founded on 3 pillars:
- Universalism (it provides education for everyone)
- Accountability (it monitors schools and teachers)
- Diversity (it allows students from different backgrounds to learn together)
The topuniversities in Netherlandsfor international students are as follows.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Top Universities |
Delft University of Technology University of Amsterdam Wageningen University & Research Center Eindhoven University of Technology Utrecht University |
|
Scholarships |
Holland Scholarship Orange Tulip Scholarship Erasmus+ Program |
|
Best Courses to Study |
Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Business Management, Environmental or Agricultural Science |
Also Read:Top 10 Reasons Why Indian Students Go Abroad To Study
Other Countries Offering Affordable Education to Indian Students in 2026
So far, we have discussed which country provides free education to Indian students in 2026. Let us now move forward to those countries that offer low tuition fee options. Many of the study abroad destinations are proving that traditional study abroad countries like the US and UK are not the only choices for quality higher education in 2026. In fact, the tuition fees in these countries, like Portugal, Slovenia, etc, are often 50% to 70% lower than those in the US while still offering globally recognised degrees, excellent facilities, and strong career prospects. The list of countries offering affordable education to Indian students in 2026 includes:
|
Country |
Best Courses to Study |
Tuition Fee |
|
Portugal |
Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Business and Management, Medicine, Social Science |
EUR 950 - EUR 1,250 |
|
Hungary |
Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Economics, Medicine, and Health Sciences |
EUR 1,200 - EUR 5,000 |
|
Slovenia |
Engineering, Computer Science, Business and Management, Environmental Studies, Arts & Humanities, Health Science |
EUR 2,000 - EUR 5,000 |
|
Romania |
Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science, Business and Management, Environmental Science, Pharmacy, Arts |
EUR 2,000 - EUR 5,000 |
|
Bulgaria |
Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Business, Tourism, AI, Psychology |
EUR 3,000 - EUR 8,000 |
|
Latvia and Lithuania |
Engineering, Computer Science, Business and Management, Medicine, Tourism |
EUR 3,000 - EUR 5,000 |
|
Taiwan |
Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical, Business & Management, Natural Science, Social Science, Media |
USD 3,700 per semester |
|
Mexico |
Engineering, Business and Management, Health Science, Environmental Science, Culinary Arts, Tourism, Cultural Studies, Digital Marketing |
USD 5,000 |
Eligibility Criteria and Admission Requirements to Study in Free Education Countries for Indian Students
The eligibility criteria to study in free countries for Indian students include securing a competitive GPA, good standardised test scores like GRE (average score of 320) or GMAT (average score of 700). Applying students must also have all the required documents, likeacademic transcripts,Statement of Purpose SOP, Letter of Recommendations LOR, etc.
Most of the free education countries also require English Language Proficiency scores like TOEFL (score above 100) or IELTS (7.0 bands) or other scores like Duolingo, PTE, and Cambridge Test, etc, while in countries like Germany, German-taught programs require a German proficiency of B1 or B2 level.
The detailed list of eligibility criteria recommended for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants is as follows.
Eligibility Criteria To Study in Free Education Countries for Undergraduate Courses
- Must have completed 10+2 or Higher Secondary Education from a recognized board
- Must have secured a passing percentage of 60% to 70%, or 80% and higher in core subjects if you are applying for high competitive courses like Medicine or Engineering in countries like Germany, Norway, and Finland.
- Some universities in countries that offer free education for indian students require prior study in specific subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry.
Eligibility Criteria To Study in Free Education Countries for Postgraduate Courses
- Must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 and above or equivalent to 65%-70%, with universities in some countries, like Germany and Sweden require GPA 3 and above to be eligible
- Must have a relevant educational background that is aligned with the chosen master’s course at universities in free education for Indian students
- Must have work experience of 1 to 3 years for courses like MBA or management-related; however, it is not mandatory if you are looking for how to study MS in abroad for free
Also Read:10 Best Courses to Study Abroad After BTech in 2026: Top Countries, Universities, and Benefits
Embark on a Journey of Knowledge with Our Guide to Countries with Free Education
In conclusion, the availability of countries with free education for International students in various countries opens up incredible opportunities for pursuing higher studies without the burden of exorbitant tuition fees.
To navigate the process and make the most informed decisions, Immigration consultants likecan provide valuable guidance and assistance in understanding the requirements, application procedures, and available scholarships for study abroad.
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