Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students in 2026

Lakshmi

6 min read

Updated On Feb 12, 2026

Looking for the top 10 cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian Students in 2026? Countries like Germany, Poland, Hungary, & Malaysia offer low tuition, public university options, and manageable living costs. Check which one fits your budget here.

Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you

List of Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students
Benefits of Choosing Affordable Countries to Study Abroad
Steps to Apply to the Cheapest Country to Study for Indian Students
Which Country is the Right Fit for Your Study Abroad? Decode it with GetGIS Assistance!

Studying abroad doesn’t always mean spending crores on tuition and living costs. The top 10 cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian Students in 2026 offer quality education with affordability. These countries, including Germany, Norway, Poland, and Hungary, are already popular for low tuition and reasonable living expenses.

These destinations offer public universities, English-taught programs, and student-friendly policies that make things easier for Indian students. Let’s find out which affordable countries could match your budget and study goals.

List of Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students

Studying abroad can be affordable if you choose the right country and university. Many destinations offer low tuition at public universities along with manageable monthly living costs. Below is a list of the countries offering affordable education to Indian students.

Country	Average Tuition Fees	Average Cost of Living (Monthly)
Germany	No tuition; semester contribution EUR 250-350	EUR 850
Norway	No tuition; semester fee of around NOK 600	NOK 12,000
Poland	EUR 2,000-3,000	EUR 400-600
Hungary	EUR 2,000-5,000	EUR 500-700
Malaysia	RM 7,000-15,000	RM 1,500-2,500
Czech Republic	EUR 3,000-5,000	EUR 500-700
Philippines	USD 1,500-3,000	USD 400-600
Kyrgyzstan	USD 1,200-2,500	USD 300-400
Brazil	No tuition at federal universities	BRL 2,000
Mexico	USD 1,000-3,000	USD 400-600

Germany

Germany is a top choice for Indian students because public universities charge little to no tuition. You mainly pay a small semester contribution, and living costs are reasonable compared to other Western European countries.

Particulars	Details
Tuition Fees	Public: EUR 0-3,000 per year Private: EUR 10,000-20,000 per year
Cost of Living	Around EUR 992 per month
Top Fields of Study	Engineering & Technology, Business Administration, Medicine & Life Sciences
Scholarships	DAAD, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Erasmus+, Heinrich Böll Scholarship
Top Universities	University of Stuttgart University of Mannheim University of Bremen

Also Read: Cost of Studying in Germany

Norway

Norway offers tuition-free education at public universities, which makes it attractive despite higher living costs. The education system focuses strongly on research and innovation.

Particulars	Details
Tuition Fees	Public: NOK 0 Private: NOK 80,000-150,000 per year
Cost of Living	Around NOK 12,000 per month
Top Fields of Study	Natural Sciences, Renewable Energy, Engineering, Social Sciences
Scholarships	Norwegian Government Scholarships, Erasmus+
Top Universities	University of Oslo Norwegian University of Science & Technology University of Bergen

Check Out: Best Universities in Norway

Poland

Poland is becoming popular for affordable tuition and lower monthly expenses. Many universities offer English-taught programs, especially in medicine and engineering.

Particulars	Details
Tuition Fees	EUR 2,000-3,000 per year
Cost of Living	Around EUR 400-600 per month
Top Fields of Study	Medicine, Engineering, IT, Business
Scholarships	Polish Government Scholarship, Erasmus+, University-based grants
Top Universities	University of Warsaw Jagiellonian University Warsaw University of Technology

Explore: Best Universities for Indian Students Abroad

Hungary

Hungary offers quality European degrees at moderate tuition fees. Living costs are manageable, and several scholarships are available for international students.

Particulars	Details
Tuition Fees	EUR 2,000-5,000 per year
Cost of Living	Around EUR 500-700 per month
Top Fields of Study	Medicine, Engineering, Business, Sciences
Scholarships	Stipendium Hungaricum (full or partial funding)
Top Universities	Eötvös Loránd University University of Szeged Budapest University of Technology & Economics

Malaysia

Malaysia is a budget-friendly Asian destination with modern campuses and international branch universities. Costs are generally lower compared to Western countries.

Particulars	Details
Tuition Fees	Public universities: RM 7,000-15,000 per year
Cost of Living	Around RM 1,500-2,500 per month
Top Fields of Study	Business, Engineering, Medicine, IT
Scholarships	Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS), University-based grants
Top Universities	University of Malaya Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Monash University Malaysia

Suggested Reading: Top 10 Reasons Why Indian Students Go Abroad To Study

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic offers affordable education in the heart of Europe. It is known for strong programs in technical and medical fields.

Particulars	Details
Tuition Fees	EUR 3,000-5,000 per year
Cost of Living	Around EUR 500-700 per month
Top Fields of Study	Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, Business
Scholarships	Czech Government Scholarships, Erasmus+, University-based grants
Top Universities	Charles University Czech Technical University in Prague Masaryk University

Philippines

The Philippines is especially popular for medical and nursing programs. Tuition fees and living costs are lower compared to many other countries.

Particulars	Details
Tuition Fees	USD 1,500-3,000 per year
Cost of Living	Around USD 400-600 per month
Top Fields of Study	Medicine, Nursing, Engineering, Business, IT
Scholarships	CHED Merit Scholarships, Erasmus+, University-based grants
Top Universities	University of the Philippines Ateneo de Manila University De La Salle University

Check Out: How To Get Scholarship To Study Abroad After 12th

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is known for affordable MBBS and technical programs. Both tuition and living expenses are among the lowest on this list.

Particulars	Details
Tuition Fees	USD 1,200-2,500 per year
Cost of Living	Around USD 300-400 per month
Top Fields of Study	Medicine (MBBS), Engineering, IT, Business
Scholarships	Kyrgyz Government Scholarships, University-based grants
Top Universities	Kyrgyz State Medical Academy International University of Kyrgyzstan Osh State University

Brazil

Brazil offers free education at many federal universities, making it an attractive option for students who secure admission. Living costs are moderate compared to Europe.

Particulars	Details
Tuition Fees	Tuition-free at federal universities
Cost of Living	Around BRL 2,000 per month
Top Fields of Study	Medicine, Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Business
Scholarships	Brazilian Government Exchange Programs, Erasmus+, University-based grants
Top Universities	University of São Paulo (USP) Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) University of Campinas (UNICAMP)

Mexico

Mexico provides affordable public university options along with a lower cost of living. It is gaining attention for engineering and environmental programs.

Particulars	Details
Tuition Fees	Public: USD 1,000-3,000 per year Private: USD 5,000-9,000 per year
Cost of Living	Around USD 400-600 per month
Top Fields of Study	Engineering, Medicine, Business, Environmental Sciences
Scholarships	Mexican Government Scholarship, CONACYT, University-based grants
Top Universities	National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Monterrey Institute of Technology (ITESM) University of Guadalajara

Also Read: 7 Best Countries To Study Abroad for Indian Students

Benefits of Choosing Affordable Countries to Study Abroad

Studying in a budget-friendly country doesn’t mean you compromise on quality. Many affordable destinations offer globally recognised degrees and good campus facilities. The main difference is that you spend less while getting similar opportunities.

Lower Tuition Fees: Public universities in many countries charge minimal fees. This reduces your overall financial burden from the start.
Manageable Living Costs: Rent, food, and transport are more affordable compared to countries like the US or UK. You can plan your monthly budget more comfortably.
Less Education Loan Pressure: Since total expenses are lower, you may need a smaller loan or sometimes none at all. This makes repayment easier after graduation.
Access to Scholarships: Many low-cost countries still offer government and university scholarships. These can further reduce your tuition and living expenses.
Part-Time Work Options: Students are often allowed to work part-time. This helps you cover daily expenses and gain international work exposure.
Better Return on Investment (ROI): Spending less on education while earning a competitive salary after graduation improves your long-term financial benefits.

Quick Read: Top 11 Free Education Countries for Indian Students in 2026-27

Steps to Apply to the Cheapest Country to Study for Indian Students

To study in a budget-friendly country, the process is quite similar to other study abroad destinations. The key is to plan early and keep your documents ready. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you apply.

Step	Details
Research Countries & Courses	Shortlist affordable countries and check tuition fees, living costs, and available programs that match your career goals.
Check Eligibility Criteria	Review academic requirements, language test scores (IELTS/TOEFL), and any entrance exams needed.
Prepare Documents	Arrange transcripts, certificates, passport, SOP, LORs, and updated resume as required by the university.
Apply to Universities	Fill out the application form online and submit all required documents before the deadline.
Apply for Scholarships	Look for government or university scholarships to reduce your total cost.
Receive Offer Letter	Once selected, accept the admission offer and pay any required initial deposit.
Apply for a Student Visa	Submit your visa application with financial proof, admission letter, and other required documents.
Plan Accommodation & Travel	Book housing, arrange health insurance, and plan your travel before departure.

Explore: Best Government Funded Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students

Which Country is the Right Fit for Your Study Abroad? Decode it with GetGIS Assistance!

The search for the cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students is a world of options. Whether you opt for Germany's educational haven, France's cultural tapestry, Malaysia's cost-effective brilliance, Belgium's rich opportunities, or Austria's European charm, your academic journey will be a blend of economy, culture, and knowledge.

So, pack your bags, step into the global classroom, and let the world enrich your education. The world awaits Indian students with open arms and open minds. In search of a detailed description further regards to the affordable country for study for Indian students! GetGIS study abroad assistance is all you need.

Book Your Free Consultation

Useful Articles for Further Reading:

Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you

Frequently Asked Questions

Which European country offers the most budget-friendly study options for Indian students?

Among the cost-effective choices in Europe, Poland, Austria, Germany, Norway, and Sweden stand out as some of the most affordable destinations for Indian students.

Which countries provide free education opportunities for Indian students?

Several countries, including Germany, Finland (for courses taught in Swedish or Finnish), and Norway, offer tuition-free education to students from India.

Can I work part-time while studying in cost-effective countries?

Yes, in many countries, international students are allowed to work part-time alongside their studies. It's a good idea to research the specific work regulations and job prospects in advance.

Is quality education available in budget-friendly countries?

Yes, the quality of education depends on the university's reputation and programs, not just the cost. Countries like Germany, Poland, and Malaysia, known for affordability, host reputable institutions that provide top-notch education.

Which is the cheapest country to study for Indian students?

For Indian students wanting to study abroad on a budget, it includes Germany and Malaysia, which stand out as the most affordable options. Germany offers free tuition at public universities and relatively low living costs, while Malaysia has affordable tuition fee options and a lower cost of living overall.