What arrives in month one
| Item | Typically |
|---|---|
| Accommodation deposit | 1–2 months' rent |
| First month's rent | 1 month |
| Agency fee (private rentals) | Sometimes half to one month's rent |
| Residence permit fee | EUR 70–400 by country |
| Health insurance | EUR 50–150/month, sometimes paid annually in advance |
| SIM and phone plan | EUR 10–30 |
| Transport card (monthly or semester) | EUR 20–90 |
| Bedding, kitchenware, cleaning supplies | EUR 100–250 |
| First large grocery shop | EUR 80–150 |
| Winter clothing (Nordic / eastern Europe) | EUR 150–300 |
Country estimates
Excluding tuition, assuming shared accommodation:
| Country | Normal month | First month (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | EUR 350–500 | EUR 900–1,400 |
| Hungary | EUR 450–650 | EUR 1,100–1,800 |
| Greece | EUR 500–700 | EUR 1,200–1,900 |
| Cyprus | EUR 500–700 | EUR 1,200–1,900 |
| Italy | EUR 600–900 | EUR 1,500–2,400 |
| Malta | EUR 700–950 | EUR 1,800–2,600 |
| Finland | EUR 700–900 | EUR 1,800–2,500 |
| Sweden | EUR 800–1,000 | EUR 2,000–2,800 |
| Denmark | EUR 900–1,200 | EUR 2,200–3,200 |
⚠️ Indicative, and capitals always cost more. Run your own city in the cost calculator.
The most expensive mistake
⚠️ Arriving without accommodation. "I will find a place when I get there" turns into weeks in a hostel at EUR 30–60 a night, which over a month exceeds the rent you were avoiding. Secure at least the first two weeks before flying — a university dormitory is safest, and applications usually open with admission.
Finding accommodation and avoiding rental scams: the accommodation guide.
Six ways to soften it
- 1Apply for a dormitory as early as possible — lower deposit, no agency fee, usually furnished
- 2Bring bedding from home — sheets, pillowcases, towels are light and far cheaper in Bangladesh
- 3Buy the heavy winter coat there — second-hand shops sell good coats at a third of the price, and a coat bought in Bangladesh is often not enough for a Nordic winter
- 4Do the bank account and residence registration in week one — many discounts and student rates depend on them
- 5Get the student ID immediately — transport, canteens, museums and software all discount on it
- 6Do the first shop at a large supermarket, not the shop next to campus
The three-month reserve
The most important advice comes last: beyond the first month, keep at least three months of living costs available.
Part-time work takes time to find, and in several countries you cannot work until the residence permit is issued — which can take weeks or months (Malta bars work for the first 90 days; Greece requires prior authorisation). "I will work and manage" does not hold in the first months. It is the most common financial mistake, and the easiest to avoid.
Work rules by country: part-time work rules.
Official sources — check for yourself
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
How much does the first month cost?+
Typically two to three times a normal month, because the deposit, first rent, residence permit fee, insurance, SIM, transport card and household setup all land together — roughly EUR 900–1,400 in Bulgaria up to EUR 2,200–3,200 in Denmark.
How much money should I arrive with?+
The first month's costs plus at least three months of living expenses in reserve. Part-time work takes time to find, and several countries bar work until the residence permit is issued — Malta for the first 90 days, Greece until authorised.
What is the best way to cut first-month costs?+
Secure accommodation before flying, ideally a university dormitory: lower deposit, no agency fee, usually furnished. Arriving without a room means weeks in a hostel at EUR 30–60 a night, which exceeds the rent you were avoiding.
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