Cost of Studying in Italy 2027/28: Tuition, Fees & Living Budget

Studying in Italy as a non-EU student can cost anything from about €150–€400 a year in tuition at some public universities (for citizens of lower-income countries) to more than €15,000 a year at private universities. On top of tuition, the visa requires you to show €10,179.85 per year for living costs for 2026/27 and 2027/28.

The reason for the huge range is simple: there is no national fee. Each public university publishes its own rules, usually based on family economic status (ISEE) or on a list of countries. This guide shows official examples, the extra costs, and how to budget honestly.

How tuition works at Italian public universities

Public universities set fees in one of three ways for non-EU students:

• By country list: citizens of countries on Italy's list of particularly poor or developing countries pay a fixed low fee or are exempt. Afghanistan, for example, is on this list at many universities.
• By ISEE parificato: your family's income and assets abroad are documented and converted into an Italian-style ISEE, which places you in a fee band. Without it, you often pay the maximum.
• Flat international fee: some universities charge the same flat amount to all non-EU students residing abroad.

Universitaly explains that the No Tax Area reduces or waives fees for students with a low ISEE at all universities, and that international students request an ISEE parificato from a CAAF tax assistance centre.

Cheapest universities in Italy for international students

These figures come from official fee pages as recorded in October 2026. Many are specific to citizens of particularly poor countries, so check the rule for your nationality:

Mid-range and higher fees

Private universities

Private universities usually charge non-EU students the same as Italians, and fees are much higher:

• Bocconi University: about €17,000 (bachelor's) and €18,550 (MSc) per year; reductions only through ISU support or waivers.
• Luiss Guido Carli: €15,000 (bachelor's), €16,000 (master's), €18,000 for Management and Finance master's – first year.
• Università Cattolica: for non-EU family income, flat €8,800 (bachelor's) or €9,370 (master's); about €5,900/€6,400 with the UCSC International Scholarship.
• Kore University of Enna: €3,750/year for most programs, one of the lower private fees.

Tuition for students from Afghanistan

Afghanistan appears on the lists of particularly poor or developing countries used by many public universities, which often puts Afghan citizens in the lowest fee group. Examples from official fee pages:

Nationality-based rules apply to citizens, not to everyone living in a country. If you are an Afghan citizen living in Pakistan or Iran, check how the university treats your case before you rely on these figures.

Watch for conditions and year-two changes

A low first-year fee is not always the fee for your whole degree. Read the fee regulation for these common conditions:

• Credit requirements: Marche Polytechnic University lists a flat €156 per year for non-OECD citizens with a study visa, but only if credit requirements are met.
• Different fees from year two: the University of Sassari exempts Afghan citizens in year one and charges €300 a year from year two.
• Instalments: Pavia splits its fee into four instalments and Salento its €1,000 flat fee into three, with regional tax and stamp duty in the first.
• When you pay: fees are normally paid when enrolment is finalised, which happens only after the visa is issued.
• Score-based fees: at Trento, your master's admission score sets your first-year fee.

Application and one-time fees

Living costs and the visa funds rule

The Italian state's official minimum for a student's living costs is the visa figure: €10,179.85 per year for 2026/27 and 2027/28. Embassies say this does not include rent and tuition, which you must also be able to cover. The Tehran embassy page written for 2025/26 still cites €534.41 per month, but the national circular's figure is the one to plan for.

We do not publish average rent or food figures because we could not find current official data for them. Costs are generally higher in Milan, Rome and Bologna than in smaller southern and central cities, so check accommodation offers on the Universitaly housing page and your regional DSU agency before you commit.

Health cover

Universitaly says students can register voluntarily with the national health service (SSN) by paying €700 per calendar year (valid 1 January to 31 December), or hold a valid insurance policy without limits for urgent hospital care. Your permit cannot last longer than your cover.

How to cut your costs legally

1. 1

   Check country-based fee rules

   If your country is on a university's list of particularly poor or developing countries, your tuition may be very low or zero.

2. 2

   Get an ISEE parificato

   Build it from home-country income and asset documents through a CAAF. It can unlock the No Tax Area and lower fee bands.

3. 3

   Apply for regional DSU scholarships

   Each region's right-to-study agency offers scholarships and housing based on income and merit.

4. 4

   Aim for merit-based fee cuts

   Some universities, such as Trento, link master's fees to your admission score.

5. 5

   Work part-time within the rules

   A study permit allows up to 20 hours a week and 1,040 hours a year.

Full details in scholarships in Italy for international students and work and stay in Italy.

A simple first-year budget plan

1. 1.Tuition and regional tax for your exact university and country band.
2. 2.Visa funds of €10,179.85 – the minimum the consulate expects for living costs.
3. 3.Rent and deposit for your city, booked before the visa.
4. 4.Visa fee, service fee, residence permit contribution and postal costs.
5. 5.Health cover (€700 SSN or insurance) and a flight.
6. 6.Translations, CIMEA or DoV, and courier costs.

Housing tip: regional right-to-study (DSU) agencies offer residence places based on income and merit, and Universitaly lists student accommodation by region. But for the visa you need confirmed accommodation – a dorm application alone is not accepted – so many students book a temporary place first and look for a longer rental after arrival. Keep every booking and contract, because the Questura and your landlord will ask for them.

Compare universities side by side and track deadlines for free on FindUniPath. For the overall journey see the complete Italy guide and the Italy hub.