Germany vs Norway
German public universities are still almost free for non-EU students (€300-600/semester). Since October 2023, Norway has charged non-EU students NOK 130,000-250,000/year (~€11-22K) — the old 'free Norway' no longer applies. For 2026, free public university = Germany, with fallback options = the Czech Republic/Slovakia/Austria.
Option 1
Public universities are free
€300-600/semester contribution for non-EU
Option 2
Public universities were historically free
Since Oct 2023, non-EU NOK 130-250K/year
| Criterion | Germany | Norway |
|---|---|---|
| Non-EU student annual fee | €0 + €300-600 semester contribution | NOK 130,000-250,000 (€11-22K) — Oct 2023+ change |
| EU student fee | Same (€0) | €0 (EU students are still exempt) |
| Language of instruction | German + limited English-taught master's | Norwegian + some master's in English |
| Monthly living | €850-1,100 (Berlin €1,000, Munich €1,300) | NOK 12,000-16,000 (€1,040-1,400, Oslo most expensive) |
| Admission for high school graduates | Studienkolleg + HZB required | Direct admission possible with sufficient grades + IELTS 6.0-6.5 |
| Work visa (graduation) | 18-month job-search permit | 1-year job search |
| Average annual total (living included) | €11-13K | €24-40K (it was €12-14K before the Oct 2023+ change) |
| Top university (QS 2026) | TU München #28, Heidelberg #47, LMU #54 | Oslo #115, NTNU #234, Bergen #237 |
| Admission application season | Winter (October) — July deadline; Summer (March) — January deadline | Autumn — apply before December 1 |
Germany is right for you if
Norway is right for you if
As of October 2023, the Norwegian government began charging tuition to non-EU/EEA students. The annual fee varies by university and program (NOK 130-250K). Norway, previously known as 'free,' is now costly for non-EU students — and Germany has filled the gap.
15 of Germany's 16 federal states do not charge non-EU students tuition. The only exception is Baden-Württemberg (€1,500/semester since 2017). For the other states the situation has not changed in 2026 — there is political debate but no legal change.
For students who expected Norway to be free: Germany (the main alternative), the Czech Republic (Czech-taught programs are free), Slovakia (€500-2K), Austria (€726/semester for non-EU) — together offering alternatives in the €8-15K per year range.
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