What is the Cheapest Country to Live in for Indian Students in 2025

Top Cheapest Countries for Indian Students 2025

Many students type “what is the Cheapest Countries to live in for Indian Students” and stop at the first rent figure they see. That’s half the story. A degree abroad only stays cheap when rent, food, transport, tuition and visa rules all line up. Below is a 2025 shortlist made for Indian passports, with numbers taken straight from Numbeo, Living-Cost and campus brochures.

| Country | City pick | Student rent ₹/mo | Food ₹/mo | Tuition ₹/yr | Visa fee ₹ | Part-time hrs allowed | Scholarships for Indians |
|———|———–|——————-|———–|————–|————|———————-|————————–|
| Nepal | Kathmandu | 4,500 | 2,200 | 50k | 0* | Unlimited | 3 campus merit awards |
| Bangladesh | Dhaka | 5,000 | 2,400 | 65k | 1,900 | 20 h/week | SAARC quota |
| Bosnia | Sarajevo | 7,000 | 3,100 | 1.1 lakh | 7,600 | 20 h/week | Govt stipend (10 seats) |
| Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh | 6,500 | 2,800 | 1 lakh | 3,400 | 20 h/week | ADB-Japan 20% waiver |
| Georgia | Tbilisi | 7,500 | 3,000 | 2 lakh | 8,500 | No cap* | 50% merit waiver |
| Kyrgyzstan | Bishkek | 5,500 | 2,600 | 1.6 lakh | 5,800 | 20 h/week | CIS 15% rebate |
| Kazakhstan | Almaty | 6,000 | 2,700 | 1.8 lakh | 6,100 | 20 h/week | Presidential 25% off |

*Indians enter Nepal visa-free; Georgia has no legal cap but employers rarely give more than 15 h/week.

What the numbers mean

1. Rent eats the biggest slice. Shared flat in Tbilisi (₹7,500) is still 70% cheaper than a single studio in Berlin (₹26k).
2. Food stays low if you cook local. A Vietnamese veg thali costs ₹40 at the hostel kitchen; eating out jumps to ₹180.
3. Tuition is the swing vote. MBBS in Nepal totals ₹2.75 lakh for 5.5 years; the same degree in Georgia is ₹12 lakh.
4. Scholarships trim the bill. Bosnia offers 10 full-fee waivers to Indian students scoring >75% in 12th.
5. Part-time pay matters. A Sarajevo café pays ₹350/h; 15 hrs/week earns ₹21k/month—enough to cover food plus half the rent.

Real student snapshot

Name: Ananya, 19, Bhubaneswar
Course: BBA, Vietnam
Monthly spend: rent ₹6,500, food ₹2,800, bus pass ₹300, data ₹200 = ₹9,800
Part-time: ₹250/h × 16 h/week = ₹16k/month
Net cash left: ₹6,200. She sends ₹3k home and still saves ₹3k. “My dad was surprised I needed zero money after month three,” she laughs.

Visa quick notes

– Nepal: no visa, just ID entry; renew student card each year.
– Bangladesh: e-visa in 7 days, needs college bonafide letter.
– Bosnia: 90-day sticker from Delhi, convert to residence in Sarajevo.
– Vietnam: e-visa in 3 days, must register with ward police within 24 h.
– Georgia: 360-day e-visa, no bank statement, medical test on arrival.

Safety & culture

– Nepal & Bangladesh: Hindi/Urdu widely understood, low crime.
– Bosnia: English grows each year, night public transport safe.
– Vietnam: scooter traffic looks chaotic but violent crime rare.
– Georgia: warm to Indians, Orthodox churches welcome visitors.

How to use this table

1. Shortlist two countries within your tuition ceiling.
2. Check part-time wage × hours; if it covers ≥40% of living cost, mark green.
3. Add visa fee + travel + insurance; aim under ₹20k first year.
4. Download the editable calculator in our full guide cheapest countries to study abroad for Indians to auto-sum the totals.

Bottom line: if you need a single answer to “what is the cheapest country to live in,” Nepal wins on pure rupees; Bosnia wins on low living plus EU exposure; Vietnam wins on warm weather and growing start-up jobs. Pick the mix that matches your degree goal, not just the rent figure.

Why Consider the Cheapest Countries to live in for indian students?

Many factors influence the decision-making process for international students, including budget, culture, and academic opportunities. Understanding the cheapest countries to live in for indian students can provide valuable insights for those seeking affordable education abroad.

Conclusion and Resources

Understanding “what is the cheapest country to live in” is more complex than just comparing rent prices. This guide has shown how tuition fees, living costs, visa rules, and part-time work opportunities together create a realistic financial picture for Indian students. Nepal leads in absolute affordability with zero visa fees and low rent, while Bosnia offers a balance of affordable living and access to European education systems. Vietnam stands out for warm climate and growing part-time earnings potential.

Real student stories like Ananya’s in Vietnam highlight how thoughtful budgeting combined with part-time work can stretch funds and reduce dependence on family support. These examples remind u sos that cost-effectiveness comes from planning across all expense heads, not just picking the cheapest city.

To help you plan your journey in detail, we offer a downloadable budgeting sheet and checklist that brings all these variables into one place. As your next step, explore our comprehensive resource on cost of studying in European universities to compare costs and benefits beyond just living expenses.

Sharing your own experiences and questions helps create a stronger student community preparing for life abroad. The more you engage with fellow learners and experts, the clearer your path becomes.

True affordability is not just about the lowest number, but about choosing a destination where your education, lifestyle, and finances align sensibly. This balance lays the foundation for not only saving money but also thriving in your chosen course and country.