Studying in Saudi Arabia vs. Spain
Saudi Arabia 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 €1,072 in Saudi Arabia and €1,398 in Spain.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Saudi Arabia
Cheaper monthly living
Saudi Arabia
Lower visa proof of funds
Spain
Side-by-side comparison
Saudi Arabia
Spain
Currency
SAR (SR)
EUR (€)
Public tuition (annual)
SR0
≈ €0 / yr
€2,500
Private tuition (annual)
SR60,000
≈ €14,700 / yr
€12,000
Monthly living (city avg)
SR4,375 / mo
≈ €1,072 / mo
€1,398 / mo
Visa proof of funds
SR36,000
Proof of funds (≈ SR 3,000/month) — often covered by a scholarship
€7,560
Student visa proof of means (€630/month)
Cities tracked
Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.