Studying in France vs. Spain
France 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 €1,424 in France and €1,398 in Spain.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Spain
Cheaper monthly living
Spain
Lower visa proof of funds
France
Side-by-side comparison
France
Spain
Currency
EUR (€)
EUR (€)
Public tuition (annual)
€3,000
€2,500
Private tuition (annual)
€12,000
€12,000
Monthly living (city avg)
€1,424 / mo
€1,398 / mo
Visa proof of funds
€7,380
Long-stay visa: €615/month proof
€7,560
Student visa proof of means (€630/month)
Cities tracked
Paris, Lyon, Toulouse
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.