Studying in China vs. Spain
China and Spain 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 €552 in China and €1,398 in Spain.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Spain
Cheaper monthly living
China
Lower visa proof of funds
Spain
Side-by-side comparison
China
Spain
Currency
CNY (¥)
EUR (€)
Public tuition (annual)
¥26,000
≈ €3,302 / yr
€2,500
Private tuition (annual)
¥45,000
≈ €5,715 / yr
€12,000
Monthly living (city avg)
¥4,343 / mo
≈ €552 / mo
€1,398 / mo
Visa proof of funds
¥100,000
Bank balance proof (annual, X1/X2 visa)
€7,560
Student visa proof of means (€630/month)
Cities tracked
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.