Studying in Belgium vs. Ireland
Belgium and Ireland are both popular study destinations — but the price tag, visa rules, and currency differ. We pulled the numbers from our cost calculator: monthly living averages €1,246 in Belgium and €1,778 in Ireland.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Belgium
Cheaper monthly living
Belgium
Lower visa proof of funds
Belgium
Side-by-side comparison
Belgium
Ireland
Currency
EUR (€)
EUR (€)
Public tuition (annual)
€4,175
€16,000
Private tuition (annual)
€12,000
€22,000
Monthly living (city avg)
€1,246 / mo
€1,778 / mo
Visa proof of funds
€9,108
Proof of means (≈ €759/month) for Type D student visa
€10,000
INIS proof of funds
Cities tracked
Brussels, Leuven, Ghent, Antwerp
Dublin, Cork, Galway
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.