Who Is Considered an EU Student?

You are typically considered an EU student if you are a citizen of a country that is a full member of the European Union (EU). As of 2025, these countries include:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

If you hold the nationality of any of these countries, you are generally entitled to the same rights and conditions as nationals of the country where you apply for higher education—including:

Access to domestic tuition fees (which are usually much lower than for non-EU students)
Eligibility for government scholarships and grants
Equal application deadlines and admission opportunities

Special Cases That May Be Considered EU Students

Some students who are not citizens of an EU country may still be considered EU students under national or institutional rules, especially if they:

Have long-term residence in an EU country (often 5+ years)
Hold a permanent residence permit in an EU country
Have been granted refugee or asylum status in an EU country
Are family members of EU nationals (spouse or dependent children)

These rules vary by country, so it’s important to confirm your status with the university’s admissions office or your host country’s education ministry.

What About UK Students?

Following Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU. Most EU countries now treat UK citizens as non-EU students unless specific bilateral agreements exist.

However, some universities still apply transitional rules or reduced fees for UK students, particularly if they began their studies before Brexit or benefit from existing arrangements.

Who Is an EEA Student?

The European Economic Area (EEA) includes all EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. While not a member, Switzerland also has equivalent agreements with the EU for student treatment.

If you are from one of these countries, you are generally treated as an EU-equivalent student, enjoying the same tuition fees and access to scholarships as EU nationals.

If You Studied Outside the EU

Even if you are an EU citizen, having completed your previous studies outside the EU may require your diploma to go through a recognition process. This is often the case if your prior education was in: