Scholarships and Financial Aid for Bachelor's Students in Europe: What Foreigners Can Actually Get

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Most large scholarship programmes in Europe are aimed at master's and doctoral students. At bachelor's level the money comes mainly from need-based public grants, and those are tied to residence, not to talent. This guide explains what exists in the seven countries in our catalogue and who can apply, as of October 2026.

Three kinds of support

Need-based public grants. Paid by the state or region according to family income. Citizens and long-term residents come first; newcomers often do not qualify in the first years.
Merit scholarships. Awarded by universities, foundations and governments. Few in number at bachelor's level.
Fee reductions and waivers. Lower tuition according to family income, or no tuition at all. For many students this is worth more than a scholarship.

If you are an EU citizen, EU law gives you the same tuition fees as local students. It does not automatically give you maintenance grants: for those, most countries require that you have lived or worked there.

Italy: the most accessible grants

Italy is the exception to the rule above. The regional right-to-study grant (DSU) is open to international students, including non-EU students, on the same income criteria as Italians.

You apply to the regional agency of your university, usually in summer, before or alongside enrolment.
Eligibility depends on the family's economic indicator. For 2026/27 the ceilings published by Lombardy and by Milan universities are an ISEE of €26,887.93 and an ISPE of €58,452.06.
Students whose family income is abroad obtain an equivalent indicator (ISEE parificato) through a tax assistance centre, using legalised and translated documents on family, income and property from the home country.
The grant combines money, a tuition waiver and often a place in a residence and canteen meals. Lombardy puts the average 2026/27 grant at about €2,991 for students living at home, €4,191 for commuters and €7,172 for those living away from home.
After the first year you keep it by earning a minimum number of credits.

Even without the grant, Italian public universities scale tuition to the same indicator. See what it costs to study in Italy.

Germany

BAföG, the state grant and loan, is open to Germans, to EU citizens under conditions such as having worked in Germany, and to foreigners with a settled residence status. A student who arrives on a study visa does not qualify.
Deutschlandstipendium pays €300 a month for at least a year, regardless of nationality and income. Universities select on grades and commitment; you apply to your own university once enrolled or admitted.
Foundations linked to parties, churches and business fund students of any nationality enrolled in Germany, mostly after the first semesters.
DAAD scholarships are overwhelmingly for graduates.

Tuition itself is the main subsidy: public universities charge no fees in most states. See what it costs in Germany.

France

Grants on social criteria from the CROUS are open to French and EU students under conditions, and to non-EU students who have lived in France for at least two years with a tax household there. New arrivals from outside the EU do not qualify.
Housing benefit from the family allowance fund (CAF) is open to foreign students with a valid residence title and a rental contract. See student housing in France.
Fee exemptions. Universities may exempt part of their non-EU students from the higher differentiated fees; many do. Ask the university before you budget.
French government scholarships are awarded by embassies in your home country; the Eiffel programme is for master's and doctoral level.

Spain

The general grants of the Ministry of Education are for Spanish citizens, for EU citizens who are permanent residents or workers in Spain, and for non-EU citizens who hold a residence permit other than a study stay. Students on a study visa are excluded. Regional governments and universities run smaller schemes, and tuition at public universities is low; see what it costs in Spain.

Portugal

State grants from the Directorate-General for Higher Education go to Portuguese citizens, EU citizens with the right of permanent residence, and holders of long-term residence. Students admitted through the international student contest pay the international fee and are generally outside the scheme. Some universities and municipalities offer merit awards.

Czechia

Studying in Czech at a public university is free of tuition for everyone, which is the country's main form of support. Government scholarships exist for students from developing countries under bilateral programmes, and faculties pay merit stipends to their best students from the second year.

Switzerland

Grants are cantonal and require years of residence. Federal excellence scholarships are for researchers and artists after a master's degree. At bachelor's level a foreign student should plan to be self-funded.

How to look

Start with the financial aid page of the university that admitted you; it lists what its own students can apply for.
Check your home country: governments, banks and foundations often fund study abroad.
Be wary of anyone who charges a fee to find or guarantee a scholarship.

Official sources

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