How Much Does It Cost to Study in Iceland? Fees and Living Costs

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Public universities in Iceland charge no tuition, only an annual registration fee. That has been true for everyone, whatever their citizenship, but the rules are changing for students from outside the EEA. Living costs are the larger part of the budget.

Public universities: the registration fee

The University of Iceland (HÍ) charges ISK 100,000 for the full academic year. Students who start in the spring semester pay ISK 75,000. The University of Akureyri also charges ISK 100,000 in 2026/27 in our catalogue. Across public universities, our catalogue shows fees of €550 to €733 a year, typically €733. The fee is non-refundable, and at HÍ it confirms your registration.

HÍ also charges citizens of countries outside the EEA and EFTA a one-time processing fee of ISK 20,000 with each application.

Tuition for non-EEA students from autumn 2027

The Icelandic government has authorised universities to charge tuition to students from outside the EEA, EFTA and Switzerland, starting in autumn 2027. HÍ says it will not apply to students who start in autumn 2026 or are already enrolled. Doctoral programmes and students with a permanent residence permit are exempt. The fee per ECTS is still listed as to be determined, so the amounts are not known. If you plan to start in autumn 2027 and need a visa, budget for tuition and check the university page before you apply.

Private institutions

Reykjavik University (RU) charges ISK 328,000 per semester to EEA students and ISK 897,000 per semester to non-EEA students at undergraduate level, according to its 2026/27 fee list. In our catalogue that is about €4,809 a year for EEA students and €13,152 for others. RU charges non-EEA applicants a processing fee of ISK 16,000, which is deducted from tuition if you are admitted.
Iceland University of the Arts (LHÍ) charges EEA students the ISK 100,000 registration fee. Students from outside the EEA, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Switzerland pay ISK 4,500,000 a year in architecture, fine art, design and arts education, and ISK 5,500,000 in music, performing arts and film. Exemptions apply to holders of a permanent residence permit or a permit that can lead to one. LHÍ says it offers no scholarships for tuition or living costs. The most expensive programmes in our catalogue cost up to €40,323 a year.

Living costs

HÍ gives these monthly estimates for one person in Reykjavík:

accommodation including utilities: ISK 130,000 to 180,000
food and everyday expenses: ISK 65,000 to 80,000
public transport: from ISK 6,000
leisure: ISK 25,000 to 35,000
books and study materials: from ISK 40,000 per semester

HÍ students can buy a student bus card at a 50% discount, valid in the capital region. For a residence permit, the Directorate of Immigration requires proof of ISK 259,951 a month in means of support, according to HÍ's budget page (2026). See student visa for Iceland and student housing in Iceland.

Residence permit and insurance costs

Students from outside the EEA also pay the Directorate of Immigration's processing fee of ISK 70,000 and must buy health insurance that covers at least ISK 2,000,000 in medical costs. See health insurance for students in Europe.

Keeping costs down

HÍ says it offers no funding or scholarships to prospective students. RU does award merit-based waivers: a New Student Scholarship covers first-semester tuition for incoming undergraduates with exceptional secondary school results, with no application needed, and students who complete at least 30 ECTS in a semester with outstanding results can enter the Presidential List, which waives tuition for the following semester. HÍ also suggests widening your housing search to suburbs such as Kópavogur and Hafnarfjörður, which it says may be more affordable.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.