Studying in South Africa vs. Spain
South Africa 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 €588 in South Africa and €1,398 in Spain.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Tie
Cheaper monthly living
South Africa
Lower visa proof of funds
South Africa
Side-by-side comparison
South Africa
Spain
Currency
ZAR (R)
EUR (€)
Public tuition (annual)
R50,000
≈ €2,500 / yr
€2,500
Private tuition (annual)
R100,000
≈ €5,000 / yr
€12,000
Monthly living (city avg)
R11,750 / mo
≈ €588 / mo
€1,398 / mo
Visa proof of funds
R120,000
Proof of funds for the Section 11(1)(b) study visa (varies by case)
€7,560
Student visa proof of means (€630/month)
Cities tracked
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.