Studying in South Korea vs. Spain
South Korea 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 €714 in South Korea and €1,398 in Spain.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Spain
Cheaper monthly living
South Korea
Lower visa proof of funds
Spain
Side-by-side comparison
South Korea
Spain
Currency
KRW (₩)
EUR (€)
Public tuition (annual)
₩8,000,000
≈ €5,360 / yr
€2,500
Private tuition (annual)
₩12,000,000
≈ €8,040 / yr
€12,000
Monthly living (city avg)
₩1,066,250 / mo
≈ €714 / mo
€1,398 / mo
Visa proof of funds
₩13,000,000
Bank balance proof (D-2 visa)
€7,560
Student visa proof of means (€630/month)
Cities tracked
Seoul, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.