Without a job offer, studying is the most realistic legal way to move to Europe. In 2026 it got more expensive: France now asks students to show €877.50 a month (it was €615) and Italy €10,179.85 a year. The cheapest of the six big study countries are Spain (€7,200 a year) and Austria (€8,671 if you are under 24).
Almost every week someone in r/MoveToEurope asks how to move without a job offer. The honest answers are always the same: companies hire locally and visa sponsorship is rare unless your skills are in short supply. A student visa is different. It is open to almost anyone with the right grades and some savings, it lets you work part time and most countries give you time after graduating to find a job.
This guide compares six countries: what money you must show, what you pay in tuition, how much you may work and how long you may stay after graduating. Every number links to an official source, checked on 5 October 2026.
What changed in 2026
France: up 43%. Since 1 August 2026 students must show €877.50 a month (€10,530 a year), set at 47% of the minimum wage. It was €615 for over 20 years. Applications sent until 31 July 2026 were still judged on the old amount. The new amount rises with the minimum wage (Décret n° 2026-526).
Italy: a new two-year rule. For 2026/27 and 2027/28, students show €10,179.85 a year. Visa applications for 2026/27 must be in by 30 November 2026 (ministry circular).
Germany: unchanged. Still €11,904 a year (€992 a month) in a blocked account. The €12,324 you see on some websites is for language course visas, not for degree students (German Federal Foreign Office).
Netherlands: €1,130.77 a month for 2026. The amount changes every January (IND).
Austria: €722.58 a month if you are under 24, €1,308.39 from 24, in a normal account in your name (OeAD).
Spain: €600 a month, 100% of the public income index IPREM (Royal Decree 1155/2024).
- Spain€7,200
€600 a month (100% of IPREM)
- Austria€8,671
Under 24. From 24: €15,701. A normal account in your name, no blocked account
- Italy€10,180
New two-year rule for 2026/27 and 2027/28
- France€10,530
€877.50 a month since 1 August 2026 (was €615)
- Germany€11,904
€992 a month in a blocked account (required)
- Netherlands€13,569
€1,130.77 a month (2026)
This is your own money for living costs, shown before you get the visa. Tuition comes on top. Only Germany requires a blocked account.
The six countries side by side
Swipe the table to see all columns →
| Country | Money to show per year (2026) | Tuition at public universities (non-EU) | Work while studying | After graduating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | €7,200 | Set by each region; public universities usually charge far less than the Netherlands | Up to 30 hours a week | 12 months to look for work (no work allowed during it) |
| Austria | €8,671 (under 24), €15,701 (24 or older) | €726.72 a semester at public universities | Up to 20 hours a week | 12 months to look for work or start a business |
| Italy | €10,179.85 | Depends on family income at most public universities | Up to 20 hours a week (1,040 hours a year) | 12 months to look for work |
| France | €10,530 | €2,895 (bachelor) or €3,941 (master) a year at public universities | Up to 964 hours a year (60% of full time) | 12 months to look for work after a master's |
| Germany | €11,904 | Free at most public universities (Baden-Württemberg: €1,500 a semester); a semester fee of €100 to €400 | 140 full or 280 half days a year | 18 months to look for work |
| Netherlands | €13,569 | Usually €8,000 to €20,000 or more a year for non-EU students | 16 hours a week, or full time in June, July and August | 12 months (orientation year) |
Money to show is your own money for living costs, proven before you get the visa. It is not a fee: you spend it while you live there.
What each country is good for
Spain: the lowest amount and the most work hours
Spain asks for the least money (€7,200 a year) and since May 2025 lets students work up to 30 hours a week. Tuition at public universities is set by each region. After graduating you can get 12 months to look for work, but you may not work during that year until you have a contract. Many programmes are taught in Spanish.
Austria: low costs if you are under 24
Austria asks for €8,671 a year if you are under 24 and public universities charge non-EU students €726.72 a semester. No blocked account is needed: a normal account in your name is enough. You may work up to 20 hours a week and stay 12 months after graduating to look for work. The catch: from 24 the amount almost doubles to €15,701. Most bachelor's are taught in German, while many master's are in English. Our student residence permit guide covers every step.
Italy: tuition that depends on your family income
At most public universities, tuition depends on your family's income, so it can be low. The new money rule (€10,179.85 a year) puts Italy in the middle. You may work 20 hours a week and stay 12 months after graduating to look for work. Italy checks closely where the money comes from: the circular asks embassies to look at your account history and your family's income.
France: more money to show, moderate tuition
Public universities charge non-EU students €2,895 a year for a bachelor's and €3,941 for a master's. With the new rule you show €10,530 a year. You may work up to 964 hours a year and, after a master's, stay 12 months to look for work.
Germany: no tuition, the longest time after graduating
Most public universities charge no tuition, only a semester fee of €100 to €400 (Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 a semester). You must put €11,904 in a blocked account before you get the visa. After graduating you can stay 18 months to look for work, the longest of the six.
Netherlands: the most English, the highest costs
Almost everything is taught in English, but non-EU tuition is usually €8,000 to €20,000 or more a year, on top of €13,569 to show. You may work 16 hours a week, or full time in June, July and August. Graduates can get an orientation year to look for work.
