COST ESTIMATION
Planning your studies in Finland
Last Updated: May 18, 2026
by RAB Education
To study in Finland, an international citizen needs to financially prepare for expenses including: tuition fees, living costs, health insurance, visa/residence permit processing fees, and other costs.
Below is the detailed breakdown of the costs you need to prepare to best plan for your upcoming journey in Finland. The final section includes a sample cost breakdown for students to give you a clearer picture.
Table of Contents
TUITION FEES
Tuition fees are determined by individual vocational schools and universities for each specific program, generally ranging from 8,000 to 20,000 EUR per year. However, the most popular programs we promote at RAB are more budget-friendly, typically falling between 9,000 EUR and 14,000 EUR per year.
Depending on your chosen educational pathway, the duration of your studies will vary: vocational programs take about 1.5 to 2.5 years, Bachelor’s degree programs last 3.5 to 4 years, and Master’s degree programs typically span 1.5 years. Notably, the Finnish education system operates entirely on a non-profit basis, meaning that all tuition fees are reinvested directly into covering operational costs and maintaining the premium quality of the academic programs.
You are usually required by the institution to pay your tuition fees before arriving in Finland, particularly for the first academic year. Unless you have a scholarship, this tuition payment serves as a crucial basis for your student visa (officially referred to as a residence permit in Finland) application.
LIVING EXPENSES
Living expenses constitute a major part of the budget you need to prepare. These costs include rent, food, transportation, phone plans, entertainment, etc.
A student needs to have at least 9,600 EUR to cover their expenses for one year in Finland.
This is also the (minimum) amount you must have available in your bank account to prove your financial capability to the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).
VISA/RP FEES
When applying for a student residence permit, you are required to pay a processing fee of 600 EUR.
Check Migri’s Website for further information.
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE
You need to purchase international student health insurance, which ranges from 200 EUR to 500 EUR per year depending on your chosen insurance provider and coverage plan.
When coming to Finland for the first time, you only need to purchase insurance for your first academic year. For subsequent years, you must continuously renew your insurance to remain compliant with legal regulations.
FLIGHT TICKETS
In addition to the costs mentioned above, you should also budget for airfare, which varies depending on your current location and actual travel arrangements.
There are two primary travel expenses to consider:
Traveling for the Visa/RP Identification: Commuting to an Embassy of Finland’s Service Point for your identity verification (either within your home country or in a neighboring city).
Flying to Finland: Estimated between 600 EUR and 800 EUR (from Southeast Asia).
LIVING EXPENSES FOR FAMILY MEMBERS
If you wish to bring your family along, you must ensure sufficient financial resources to support their stay in Finland. Migri also requires you to provide proof of these funds.
The amount needed for your family’s living expenses will depend on your specific destination (place of residence and study in Finland).
For detailed guidelines and requirements, please visit the official Migri website: Click Here.
COST ESTIMATION: An Example
Below is a sample cost breakdown for an international student in Finland. The total financial preparation required for the first year is nearly 21,000 EUR, which includes tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs.
Estimated Cost | Notes | |
| Tuition Fees: | 9,000 EUR | First Year |
| Living Expenses: | 9,600 EUR | First Year |
| Visa/RP Application: | 600 EUR | |
| Health Insurance: | 300 EUR | First Year |
| Flights to Finland: | 750 EUR |
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