Here is a guide to how much it costs to study in Italy, a budget-friendly destination with public university tuition from €900 yearly.

Studying in Italy in 2025 offers affordable public university tuition from €900 to €4,000 annually, higher private fees up to €35,000, and monthly living costs of €800-€1,200, enhanced by scholarships for international students.

So, how much does it cost to study in Italy in 2025? Public universities offer affordable tuition fees ranging from €900 to €4,000 per year, often adjusted to family income. Private institutions charge higher fees, typically €6,000 to €35,000 per year, for specialized programs such as economics or design. With scholarships widely available and average monthly living costs between €800 and €1,200, Italy remains an affordable destination for international students wishing to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.

How much does it cost to study in Italy?

University fees or costs of education depend on the faculty, the prestige of the university, the region, and your family’s financial situation.

To find out how much you will have to pay for education, you need to calculate your economic coefficient ISEEU/ISPEU:

The ISEEU is the University Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator and is necessary to obtain a reduction in university fees and to access all other benefits for the right to study.
The ISPEU is an indicator of financial status, which is calculated on the basis of the DSU (It is the document that contains the personal, income, and asset information of a household.). Completing this document is the first step in obtaining the ISEEU form. This form is available from CAF (tax assistance centers) and certifies the economic situation of the family unit.

It is possible to obtain total exemption from paying university fees. The NO Tax Area was introduced in 2017 and applies to all state universities and AFAM institutions, allowing those with an ISEE below €13,000 to pay no tuition fees. Those with an ISEE between €13,000 and €30,000 can still benefit from reductions in university fees.

Who can apply for a reduction in tuition fees?

– If you are enrolling in your first bachelor’s or master’s degree program

– in case you are enrolling in your second bachelor’s or master’s degree program*

– If you are applying for recognition of your medical degree in Italy

*If you are enrolling in your second degree program, you cannot apply for different types of scholarships in Italy, as you have already completed this level of education. However, you can try to reduce the cost of education based on your ISEEU.

What do you need to do?

To reduce the cost of studying in Italy, you need to collect the following documents:

certificates relating to the composition of the household residing in the same house as you
real estate properties
income of each member of the household residing at the same address as you
official credit card balances

The necessary certificates must be translated by accredited translators and authenticated by the consulate.

Recently, the so-called “differentiation based on origin” has been introduced, meaning that university fees vary depending on the student’s nationality:

– EU/European Economic Area students: They usually pay the same fees as Italian students. The amount may be reduced based on the ISEE report, which assesses the economic condition of the household abroad.

– Non-EU students: They are often subject to a fixed fee (“flat rate”) that is not linked to family income. The amount can vary considerably from university to university and depending on the course of study.

For precise information on the cost of university fees for foreign students in Italy, it is always advisable to consult the websites of individual universities or the pages dedicated to services for international students.

How much money does it really take to get into university in Italy?

Online application (from €0 to €150), depending on the university and faculty, program
The declaration of value of university documents from the country of origin: DDV (Value statement) and CIMEA (Center for Information on Mobility and Academic Equivalencies ). The choice between the two documents depends on your specific needs, from €0 to €150

Consular and visa fees are payments. A student visa costs around 50€
IELTS (B2) or PLIDA (B2) language certificate, around 250 and 100 euros respectively
Medical insurance for the visa, around 100 euros
Translation of documents for the scholarship and Apostille costs depend on the country
Amount of money in your bank account to apply for an Italian student visa, depends on the country

Studying in Italy can be expensive due to tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses. However, the rich cultural experience, excellent education, and unique opportunities make it worth the investment. Many students find scholarships, part-time jobs, and budget tips to help manage costs. Keep your goals in sight and embrace the challenges studying in Italy opens doors to a vibrant future full of learning and growth. Buona fortuna!