Eu Students: International Or Not?

The classification of EU students as international students depends on the country and university in question. For instance, in the UK, EU students are now considered international students and pay the same fees as international students. They also need a student visa to study in the UK, unless they have settled status. On the other hand, in the Netherlands, EU/EEA students do not need an entry visa or residence permit and can stay in the country with a valid EU/EEA passport.

Are EU students considered international?

EU students in the UK

The UK is one of the world's most trusted and popular study destinations, attracting over 750,000 international students annually, including 120,000 from the EU. EU students are welcome in the UK and are eligible for scholarships, health surcharge refunds, and post-study work visas. The UK offers a top-quality education that provides prestige and global job prospects. Studying in the UK is good value for money, with average costs being lower than in the USA and Australia.

Most EU students now need a student visa to study in the UK. However, if you arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020 and have settled status, you do not need a visa. EU students from Switzerland coming to study in the UK for longer than six months will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), but they may be eligible for a full or partial reimbursement.

Tuition fees vary across UK courses and institutions, and universities can set their fees for EU students. It is always recommended to check individual universities' funding pages to see how much you'll pay as an EU student. Some universities offer discounts to students from the EU, and thousands of scholarships are available to EU students wanting to study in the UK.

EU students in the Netherlands

If you are an EU student considering studying in the Netherlands, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, you have the right to live in the Netherlands for the duration of your studies as long as you are enrolled in an approved educational establishment and have sufficient income to live without needing income support. This right is contingent on you registering your residence with local authorities after the first three months of your stay.

If you plan to stay in the Netherlands for longer than three months to study at a university or university of applied sciences, you will need to obtain a provisional residence permit (MVV) and/or a residence permit. Nationals of a few countries, including the US, Australia, and Japan, are exempt from the provisional residence permit requirement. Additionally, you should be aware that you could lose your right to permanent residence if you live outside the country for more than two consecutive years.

When it comes to scholarships, you can explore the NL Scholarship, which is offered by Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. The list of participating universities changes annually, so be sure to check the website of the institution you plan to apply to for specific information and deadlines.

Lastly, remember that policy details can change, so it is always a good idea to refer to the official websites and seek up-to-date information from the relevant authorities when making your plans to study in the Netherlands.

EU students and visas

EU students are not considered international students when studying in another EU country. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a visa to study in any European Union country and can travel freely between them. However, if an EU citizen wishes to study in a non-EU country, they will need to check the visa requirements of their destination country.

In the UK, EU students are now considered international students and are subject to the same fees. Most EU students now need a student visa to study in the UK. However, if an EU citizen arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020 and has settled status, they do not need a visa to study.

In Germany, there are three main types of student visas: the Student Applicant Visa, the Student Visa, and the Language Course Visa. The Student Applicant Visa is for prospective students who want to explore study options and is valid for three months, with a possible extension of up to six months. The Student Visa is for those accepted into a German degree program or foundation course and is initially valid for three months, after which a residence permit is required. The Language Course Visa is valid for up to one year and is for those attending German language courses.

In France, there are three types of student visas depending on the duration of the course. Non-EU students must register with the French Office of Immigration and Integration. The Schengen Short-Stay Student Visa is for studies lasting less than three months, while the Temporary Long-Stay Visa is for studies between three and six months.

In Italy, non-EU students at the University of Marche (UNIVPM) who already hold a residence permit must provide a copy of the original residence permit issued by Questura or the receipt of the renewal request. They must also pay an installment of €156 through the PagoPA system by the deadline.

It is important to note that the visa requirements for studying in Europe can vary between countries, and students should always check the specific requirements and procedures for their chosen destination.

EU students and fees

In the European Union, students are generally entitled to study in other EU member states without paying higher tuition fees than local students. This is also true for citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, though some conditions regarding public student loans and residence permits may differ for them. EU students can study for free in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, and Germany. In Austria, public universities are tuition-free for students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. In Finland, EU students can study for free at undergraduate and PhD levels at public universities, excluding those in Baden-Württemberg, where non-EU students pay tuition fees of €3,000 (~US$3,500) per year. In Germany, the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act (BayHIG) will allow the Technical University of Munich (TUM) to charge tuition fees for international students from non-EU countries from the winter semester of 2024/25.

On the other hand, students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland are now required to pay the same fees as international students in the UK. However, EU nationals with settled status in the UK may still be eligible for 'home fee status' and pay the same tuition as UK nationals. Irish nationals living in the UK or the Republic of Ireland are treated as UK students for fees and funding due to the Common Travel Area agreement between the two countries. UK nationals living in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland may also be eligible for 'home fee status', subject to eligibility criteria.

EU students are considered international students in the UK, but their status varies in other countries. For example, in Italy, EU students are considered "EU-equivalent students." This means that they are treated similarly to international students but with some differences in fees and documentation requirements. Additionally, EU students have the right to live in the EU country where they are studying for the duration of their studies, provided they have sufficient income to live without income support. They can also apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access the same type of medical care they would receive in their home country.

EU students and residence rights

EU students are considered international students in the UK. They pay the same fees as international students and need a student visa to study in the UK. However, EU nationals with settled status may still be eligible for 'home fee status' and pay the same fees as UK nationals.

EU students have the right to live in the EU country where they are studying for the duration of their studies. They must be enrolled in an approved educational institution and have sufficient income to live without needing income support. After three months, they may be required to register their residence with local authorities to show that they meet the conditions to stay as a student and obtain a document confirming their right to stay. If they finish their studies and cannot prove they are working or have sufficient resources to support themselves, they could lose their right to stay in the country.

EU citizens have the right to move to any EU country to live, work, study, look for a job, or retire. They can stay in another EU country for up to three months without registering, but they may need to report their presence. If they want to stay longer than three months, they may need to register their residence. After living legally in another EU country for a continuous period of five years, EU citizens automatically acquire the right of permanent residence there. However, they can lose this right if they live outside the country for more than two consecutive years.

The right of residence for students in the EU is subject to certain conditions and is based on directives such as 90/364, 90/365, and 93/96. These directives have been implemented by most member states, and authorities have experienced difficulties in interpreting conditions related to financial resources and health insurance. EU students should refer to the EU immigration portal for specific rules and conditions regarding residence rights in their desired country of study.

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