Study in Southern Europe: Mediterranean Destinations Compared
Southern Europe answers a specific brief: study around the Mediterranean, inside or close to the EU, without the living costs of the north. The destinations here sit in a middle band — more affordable than Western Europe, a little above the cheapest Central and Eastern options — while offering warm-climate cities and a growing range of English-taught master’s programmes. They are not interchangeable, though: city, field and funding move the real total. The table below ranks them by indicative monthly living cost straight from the Meridian dataset.
Ranked by monthly living cost
| # | Country | Monthly living cost | Monthly living cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇲🇹 Malta | €600–1200/mo | €600–1200 |
| 2 | 🇮🇹 Italy | €700–1500/mo | €700–1500 |
| 3 | 🇵🇹 Portugal | €700–1400/mo | €700–1400 |
| 4 | 🇪🇸 Spain | €750–1500/mo | €750–1500 |
Sources: Frankfurter/ECB (USD/EUR), MT Immigration Authority, UK FCDO Travel Advice (GOV.UK), Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory + UK FCDO Travel Advice (GOV.UK), PT Immigration Authority, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Figures are indicative estimates from the Meridian dataset — not official guidance. Always confirm current requirements on the official source before you decide.
Why Southern Europe appeals
The shared draw is balance: a Mediterranean base with living costs below much of Western Europe, plus the lifestyle and climate that come with the region. For students weighing budget against the appeal of southern-European cities, that middle-ground combination is the headline.
Where they diverge is in the detail — the city you choose drives living cost as much as the country, tuition is set by each university and programme, and post-study work rules differ. Treat the regional picture as a starting point and confirm the specifics on each official source.
How to use the ranking
Rank by living cost to frame a shortlist, then open each country page for its visa processing time, acceptance rate, work rights and the sources behind every number. The cheapest place to live is not automatically the cheapest overall once tuition and visa proof-of-funds are counted.
Frequently asked questions
Which Southern European country is cheapest to study in?
On indicative monthly living cost, Malta ranks lowest among the regional destinations here. Tuition and visa proof-of-funds can change the real total, so the cheapest to live in is not always the cheapest overall — check each official source.
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