Top 4 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students [in 2026]
Finance is the first topic of debate and challenge that emerges when deciding to study abroad, especially for Indian students.
Looking for the cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students? Smart move 🫡- chase your dreams without draining your wallet 👛🔨
We see many families sticking with the traditional approach of spending 20 lakhs on an abroad course. Let us reveal—your way of truth is not always the truth!
The BIG 4 (US, UK, Canada, Australia) trend for international studies is fast shifting towards European destinations due to various factors like visa requirements, lower tuition fees, scholarships, and attractive job prospects.
Many European countries have set attractive tuition fees as the first step in attracting talent. So, if you’re looking for affordable countries to study abroad for Indian students, let’s help.
Top 4 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students
1. Germany
A fascinating fact about German public universities is that they offer master’s degrees in Europe at no tuition fees. Yes, you heard it right. If you meet or exceed their cut-off criteria, you will be eligible for free education at these universities. So it is enough if you pay their semester fees alone, which range from 10,000 to 35,000 overall.
Affordable German Universities for Indian Students
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Now, moving on to scholarships. Germany usually doesn’t provide waivers on study costs. This is due to its no-or-less tuition fee model. However, its grants can cover a monthly stipend, insurance expenses, and accommodation subsidies.
While studying in German private universities, your fee could start from anywhere around 5 to 9 lakhs per annum. These institutions offer merit-based scholarships, mostly with monthly stipends starting from 600 euros.
Popular Courses:
- Engineering
- Computer Science & Information Technology
- Business & Management
- Social & Natural Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Renewable Energy & Environmental Engineering
- Economics
- Psychology
- Law
- Humanities
2. Malta
It is also one of the cheapest countries for Indians and international students going abroad for studies.
Their master’s fee starts from 4.7 lakhs per annum on average and vary with universities.
Students can also apply for scholarships that can provide tuition fee grants.
This country is a beautiful tourist destination and has some famous UNESCO-certified heritage and cultural sites. So, if you’re thinking of studying in a scenic view overlooking the Mediterranean without burning your pocket, then Malta is the place to be!
Affordable Malta University for Indian Students
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Popular Courses:
- Business & Management
- Healthcare
- Tourism
- Supply chain
3. Latvia
In recent times, Latvia has started attracting more international students due to its low tuition fees and globally recognised degrees. Postgraduate courses in this country start around 3 lakh per year.
Affordable Latvian Universities for Indian Students
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Popular Courses:
- Information Technology
- Tourism
- Health Management
- Environmental Science
- Computer Systems
- Food Science
- Civil Management
- Agriculture
- Entrepreneurship & Management
4. Lithuania
As per the Lithuanian government website, you will spend 4x less on higher education than a UK degree (from top universities) – happy news!!😊😊
Affordable Lithuanian Universities for Indian Students
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Postgraduate courses at Lithuanian universities start at 5 lakhs per year. In addition, if you are selected for merit or research scholarships, you can also get tuition fee waivers.
Popular Courses:
- Business & Management
- International Business Management
- IT & Engineering
- Bio Technology
- Nano Technology
- Natural Sciences
Is it Worth Choosing in the Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students?
- Germany has diverse course options across various fields. Their curriculum is designed to enhance better decision-making and problem-solving skills in you with reluctant industry experience.
- Affordable universities for Indian students in Europe also come with internship opportunities as part of their courses.
- Indians form the largest group of international students studying in Germany. Almost 60% of them choose engineering in this country, while the other popular programs they choose are law, management, social studies, agriculture, math, and natural sciences.
- Malta ranks tenth in the European Union in terms of GDP per capita. GDP measures a country’s economic output per person.
- Indians have numerous English-taught programs to choose from at affordable European universities.
- With 800 free wifi connection points in the capital city of Riga, Latvia has one of the world’s fastest internet connections.
- From 500 km of beach coastline to forestry and museums, Latvia offers students a wide range of eye-catching attractions.
- Lithuania is one of Europe’s greenest and fastest-growing tech hubs, blending nature with innovation—perfect for students who love both forests and futuristic ideas.
Conclusion
Choosing abroad education doesn’t require you to break the bank.
As you’ve seen, the cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students, like Germany, Latvia, Malta, and Lithuania, offer excellent education at an affordable tuition fee.
So, it’s time to dispel the myth of spending lakhs on education abroad and explore budget-friendly options for global success.
Want an expert to guide you through all the affordable study options? We are just a form away. Have a look below.
FAQs
Which country offers completely tuition‑free study?
Germany is the European country that offers tuition-free education in its public universities. A few other countries like Ireland offers government scholarships that provide free education international students. However, you should have a strong academic profile to get admitted into public universities and avail such grants.
Where do most Indian students study abroad?
Indian students’ favourite study places have shifted towards the affordable study options available in European countries. The old tradition of going behind the BIG 4 nations is now seeing a shift with Europe’s quality education at less expensive prices. Countries like Germany, France, Lithuania, and Malta have recently seen an increased number of Indians.
Is it worth studying abroad for Indian students?
Studying abroad offers many perks to Indian students, including their career prospects and global exposure. In Europe, you get opportunities to benefit from high-quality, globally recognised degrees, especially in the fields of STEM and business management. After graduating, these courses can earn you an average minimum of 30 lakhs per annum as a starting salary.
What is the most affordable country in which to study abroad?
Germany, Malta, Latvia, and Lithuania are some of the cheapest countries for Indian students to study overseas. Here, you can do your postgraduate courses starting from 4 lakhs per year onwards.
Can I study abroad with 5 lakhs?
You can study abroad in European countries with a tuition fee starting from 4 to 5 lakhs per year. If you excel very well in academics and the entry criteria are set, you have the chance to study at German public universities for free.
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