Three numbers most guides blur together
You will see one number quoted as "the cost of a master's in Europe". It is usually one of three different things. Mixing them up leads to a wrong budget.
- Proof of funds is the sum a visa office wants to see in your name or your sponsor's. You show it. You do not have to spend it.
- Tuition is what the university charges. It is close to zero at many public universities in some countries and very high in others.
- Living cost is what you actually spend on rent, food and transport. It depends on your city and on you.
Germany shows the gap well. DAAD, the German academic exchange service, says most master's courses at state universities have no tuition fees.[2] The visa still needs EUR 992 a month.[1] DAAD's own figure for what students actually spend was EUR 876 a month in its 2023 survey.[2] Three numbers, three meanings.
France splits them too. Non-EU master's students pay EUR 3,950 a year in tuition for 2026-27.[5] The visa proof is a separate EUR 877.50 a month.[3] In the Netherlands the immigration service says its student amount excludes tuition.[8]
Proof of funds is a visa test, tuition is a bill, and living cost is a habit. Budget for all three, and do not let one stand in for another.
Proof of funds by country, 2026
One row per country: the official figure, the document types the authority accepts, and where I read it. The third column is my own multiplication so you can compare a full year. The authority's own figure is in the second column.
| Country | Official figure | Over 12 months | Accepted proof | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | EUR 992 a month, EUR 11,904 a year, for a student visa | EUR 11,904 | Blocked account (Sperrkonto) opened before you apply, with a bank confirmation stating the total and monthly amount. Or a declaration of commitment from a person living in Germany. Or a scholarship confirmation | [1][2] |
| France | EUR 877.50 a month from 1 Aug 2026, up from EUR 615 | EUR 10,530 | Savings, a financial guarantor, a scholarship or other accepted documents | [3][4] |
| Netherlands | EUR 1,130.77 a month for university and hbo students in 2026 | EUR 13,569.24 | Statement for your own bank account, a deposit with your university, a scholarship, or a statement from a financier | [6][7] |
| Italy | EUR 10,179.85 a year | EUR 10,179.85 | Personal or family bank statements, scholarship or Italian-government funding. Not accepted: cash, bank guarantees, guarantors outside the family | [9][10] |
| Spain | 100% of the IPREM, EUR 600 a month of stay (consulate pages quote the 2025 figure) | EUR 7,200 | Bank statements (three or six months, by consulate) or a notarised sponsorship letter from parents | [11][12] |
| Ireland | EUR 10,000 for a one-year course, on top of fees | EUR 10,000 | Six months of bank statements on headed paper, or an education bond of at least EUR 10,000 | [13][15] |
| Austria | EUR 722.58 a month under 24, EUR 1,308.39 a month at 24 or over (2026) | EUR 8,670.96 or EUR 15,700.68 | Savings or bank account in your name that is accessible from Austria, a guarantee from a person living in the EU, or a scholarship confirmation | [16] |
| Switzerland | CHF 21,000 in Zurich, CHF 24,000 in Basel | CHF 21,000 to 24,000 | Bank statement in your name from a bank on the FINMA list, or a scholarship decision | [17][18] |
Four notes on reading the table. France asks for the monthly sum for the length of your stay, so a shorter stay needs less.[4] Italy's embassies state the same annual sum in different monthly forms, so use the annual figure.[9][10] Spain's IPREM figure is quoted for 2025 on the consulate pages I read, and I could not confirm the 2026 value on an official page, though consumer reports say it is unchanged at EUR 600.[11][12] Switzerland's amount depends on your canton.[17]
What each document type means in practice
Blocked account and bank statements
Germany's blocked account has strict rules. You open it before the visa application. Only the bank's opening confirmation counts, and it must state the total paid in and the monthly amount you can withdraw.[1] DAAD says banks charge between EUR 70 and EUR 150 to set one up.[2]
Elsewhere the document is an ordinary statement, but with conditions. The Netherlands wants the account in your name, a statement under three months old, and money you can withdraw freely.[7] Ireland wants six months of activity on headed paper, plus a bank letter if the money sits in a savings account.[13] It also wants at least EUR 6,000 of tuition paid before you apply where fees are higher.[14] Italy says it does not rely only on the balance on the day or on occasional deposits. It looks at the family's finances over time.[10]
Sponsors and guarantee letters
Sponsor rules are narrower than most applicants expect. Germany accepts a declaration of commitment only from someone who lives in Germany. It must be under six months old and carry the note that creditworthiness was verified.[1] Austria accepts a guarantee from a person living in the EU.[16] Italy accepts relatives up to the fourth degree and refuses guarantors outside the family.[10] Spain asks for a notarised letter from parents or legal guardians, with apostille or legalisation and a sworn translation.[12]
Scholarship letters
A scholarship letter counts in most of these countries. Germany asks for bank statements to cover the gap if the scholarship is under EUR 992 a month.[1] In the Netherlands the university can hold a scholarship agreement on file.[7] Switzerland accepts a scholarship decision instead of a statement.[17] Our Europe scholarships guide covers where to find them.
My read: where you have a choice, the document that shows the money was yours for months is the safer one. Ireland, Italy and Austria all look at history or origin of funds, not just a balance.[10][13][16] A last-minute transfer is the pattern that draws questions.
If you apply from the Gulf
Two rules matter more for Gulf-based families than the headline figures. First, the Italian embassy in Abu Dhabi says only financial resources located in the UAE count. It asks for salary certificates, an employer no-objection letter and three months of statements from a UAE account, and online statements need an original bank stamp.[9]
Second, sponsor routes tied to residence abroad can fail. Parents in Dubai cannot sign Germany's declaration of commitment or Austria's EU-resident guarantee.[1][16] For those two countries the practical route is usually money in a blocked account or a bank account in your own name. Check with the embassy that handles your application, because consulates can differ on paperwork.
Planning the real budget
Build three lines. First, the visa proof, which you park and keep. Second, tuition, which you pay. Third, living cost, which you spend. Our real cost of a master's abroad and France tuition fees articles cover the second and third lines in detail.
If an education loan will fund part of this, ask the consulate first. Austria's page lists a loan as an acceptable origin of funds.[16] The other pages I read do not mention loans, so I would not assume one counts. Our education loans guide explains lender options, and our Europe post-study work visas article covers what comes after the degree.
If you are heading for an MBA
The visa figures above apply to students generally. None of the pages I read set a separate sum for MBA students. What changes is tuition, which is far higher at business schools. Our MBA in Europe cost comparison sets the school fees side by side.
I am hosting a live webinar on cracking an MBA at top European schools on 17 October and 31 October 2026 at 7 PM IST. If you are MBA-bound, you can register here.
Mistakes and checklist
- Treating the visa figure as your total budget.
- Quoting last year's number. France raised its figure in August 2026, and the Netherlands publishes new amounts each period.
- Assuming a parent abroad can sponsor under a rule that needs a resident in the country.
- Opening a German blocked account after applying for the visa, or moving money in weeks before the appointment.
- Open the embassy or consulate page for the country that handles your application and note the current figure.
- Choose the document type that suits your family: account, sponsor or scholarship.
- Start the money trail at least six months ahead where statements are required.
- Add tuition and living cost as separate lines.
- Ask the consulate about anything unusual, such as a loan or a sponsor abroad.
Key takeaways
- Proof of funds, tuition and living cost are three different numbers.
- Official 2026 figures: Germany EUR 992 a month, France EUR 877.50, Netherlands EUR 1,130.77, Italy EUR 10,179.85 a year, Ireland EUR 10,000 a year.
- Sponsor rules are narrower than expected, and several need a resident in the destination country.
- Gulf applicants should check Italy's UAE-only rule and the residence rules for sponsors.
- Always confirm the figure on your own embassy page before you move money.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to show for a master's in Germany?
For a German student visa you must show EUR 992 a month, which is EUR 11,904 for a year, according to the German Foreign Office. Most applicants meet this with a blocked account (Sperrkonto) opened before applying. A declaration of commitment or a scholarship letter can also count.
How much proof of funds does France require for a student visa in 2026?
From 1 August 2026, France requires proof of at least EUR 877.50 a month, up from EUR 615. Campus France accepts savings, a guarantor, a scholarship or other documents. The sum is separate from tuition, which is EUR 3,950 a year for non-EU master's students.
Is proof of funds the same as tuition?
No. Proof of funds is the amount a visa office wants to see to confirm you can support yourself. Tuition is billed separately by the university. Germany's visa sum applies even where public universities charge no tuition, and the Dutch student amount explicitly excludes tuition.
Can a parent or relative provide my proof of funds for a European student visa?
Often yes, but rules differ. Italy accepts relatives up to the fourth degree, Spain accepts a notarised parental letter, and Germany and Austria need a guarantor who lives in the country or EU. Parents abroad may need to fund a blocked or personal bank account instead.
Do I have to open a blocked account for Germany?
Not strictly. The German Foreign Office also accepts a declaration of commitment from a person living in Germany or a scholarship confirmation. In practice most international students use a blocked account, because it is the simplest proof and must be opened before the visa application.
Do proof-of-funds amounts change every year?
Yes, in several countries. Reports of France's June 2026 decree say its figure now follows the minimum wage, so expect updates. The Netherlands publishes amounts for each period, Spain ties its figure to the IPREM, and Germany ties it to student aid rates. Check your embassy page first.
Planning a master's in Europe on a real budget?
Tell us your country shortlist and your family's funding route. We will map proof of funds, tuition and living cost together, then check them against the embassy pages.
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Sources & further reading
- Auswärtiges Amt (German Federal Foreign Office): Proof of finance for study visas — allemagneenfrance.diplo.de
- DAAD: Costs of education and living in Germany — daad.de
- France Diplomatie: French student visa announcement, 877.50 EUR a month from 1 August 2026 — uk.diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Campus France: student visa changes effective 1 August 2026 — singapour.campusfrance.org
- service-public.gouv.fr: registration fees for foreign students, 2026-2027 — service-public.gouv.fr
- IND (Netherlands): required amounts for income requirements, 2026 — ind.nl
- IND (Netherlands): income requirements for study — ind.nl
- IND (Netherlands): Coming to study in the Netherlands (brochure, PDF) — ind.nl
- Embassy of Italy in Abu Dhabi: student visa guidelines and university enrolment checklist (PDF) — ambabudhabi.esteri.it
- Embassy of Italy in Addis Ababa: study visa, university enrolment (PDF) — ambaddisabeba.esteri.it
- Consulate General of Spain in San Francisco: student visa — exteriores.gob.es
- Consulate General of Spain in Hamburg: study visa — exteriores.gob.es
- Irish Immigration Service: information on student finances — irishimmigration.ie
- Irish Immigration Service: how to apply for a long-term study visa — irishimmigration.ie
- Irish Immigration Service: reminder on student finance requirements from 30 June 2025 — irishimmigration.ie
- OeAD (Austria): residence permit for students, financial means as of 2026 — oead.at
- ETH Zurich: immigration with a visa, financial means — ethz.ch
- ETH Zurich: applying for a residence permit — ethz.ch