Last Updated on November 14, 2022
The experience of living in a foreign country where the medical bill and college fees are taken care of by the government is worthwhile and everyone’s desires.
A new culture, new people, new places, new food who wouldn’t like to have that kind of an experience? Studying abroad offers you all these experiences and much more. But the massive tuition fee and other living expenses that may arise from the health sector are usually a terror for many.
Well, not anymore! While our understanding of education in a foreign land is restricted to the United States of America and popular European nations, we tend to ignore the various other options available to us.
As it so happens, not knowing there are certain countries with free healthcare and college that offer education free of cost or with nominal tuition fees to residents and international students alike.
We are delighted to bring some of these countries with free healthcare and college to your notice which is a step towards achieving your goals as an aspirant for foreign education.
In the United States of America for instance, the staggering cost of higher education has many prospective college students wondering about countries with free healthcare and college pursuing a degree abroad.
More Americans are looking abroad at what countries have free college, as these options abroad are becoming increasingly publicized as the cost of college in the U.S. grows. Relax because this article will explore further, a handful of countries that offer free or low tuition to international students and programs of study entirely in English, and healthcare costs are covered also.
In the same vein, the fact that the US isn’t among the countries with universal healthcare and free college has been a topic of many heated political debates and complaints, especially among the Millennials faced with the prospect of repaying their student loans well into their adulthood.
If they have the misfortune of being hit by a major hospital bill as well, declaring bankruptcy is often the only solution.
Universal healthcare is something that is available in a vast number of countries across the globe. While the programs offered by each government vary from nation to nation, they’re all based on the same concept of offering access to free healthcare to everyone, old or young.
The list of countries with free healthcare and education is also a thing of consideration for those that intend to leave their countries for other countries for studies.
Below we highlighted some of the best countries that offer free healthcare and education.
Table of Contents
10 Best Countries That Offer Free Healthcare And Education
- Germany
- Belgium
- Norway
- Denmark
- Austria
- Hungary
- France
- Latvia
- Sweden
- Finland
1. Germany
When it comes to excellent higher education at minimal or no cost, Germany tops the list. The public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fee at all, however, the nominal university administration fee is usually charged.
In the same vein, the health care system in Germany is considered free because they adopt a universal multi-payer health care system Were all workers contribute about 7.5 percent of their salary into a public health insurance pool.
Germany has the world’s oldest national social health insurance system as far back as 1883. This country as one of the countries with free healthcare services operates with a decentralized system with private-practice physicians providing ambulatory care, and independent/mostly non-profit hospitals providing the majority of inpatient care.
2. Belgium
Belgium offers quality education with advanced infrastructure that allows students to gain both practical and theoretical education. The tuition fee is also very affordable and one can also get a good placement after completion of their courses.
Belgium spends about 10% of its annual GDP on the healthcare system, according to 2016 figures. In fact, this places it ninth out of countries from the EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
If you are a resident of Belgium, you typically receive coverage by state Belgian healthcare if you carry out the compulsory registrations.
The Belgian healthcare system is one of the best in Europe. It is divided into state and private sectors, with fees payable in both.
The state system is funded by mandatory health insurance which allows residents to access subsidized services such as doctors, hospital care, dental care, maternity costs, and prescriptions at minimum or no cost.
3. Norway
In Norway, all hospitals are funded by the public as part of the national budget. However, while medical treatment is free of charge for any person below the age of sixteen, residents who have reached adulthood must pay a deductible each year before becoming eligible for an exemption card which allows one to enjoy subsidized or free healthcare services in the country.
Although to some people this healthcare system in Norway, is not free because the exemption card doesn’t come for free. In relation to their education system, Norway is one of the countries with free healthcare and college.
This is because the government finances education in the country with taxpayer money. However, most top universities in Norway offer education in the Norwegian language which is why you need to learn the language and also pass a proficiency test.
4. Denmark
Denmark also offers free college. Students from the EU and Switzerland are able to take advantage of this benefit. However, international students pay about 8000 Euros a year depending on the college and course of study.
The Danish healthcare system is universal and based on the principles of free and equal access to healthcare for all citizens.
The healthcare system offers high-quality services, the majority of which are financed by general taxes.
5. Austria
Austria has a two-tier health care system in which virtually all individuals receive publicly funded care, but they also have the option to purchase supplementary private health insurance.
This nation is said to offer free healthcare to its citizens. However, care involving private insurance plans can include more flexible visiting hours and private rooms and doctors.
In the education system in Austria, some universities are free of charge for both local and international students and some require prospective students to pay a nominal fee which grants them access to the school.
In Austria, foreign students can benefit from various study grants and scholarships. There are several options you should explore.
6. Hungary
Hungary is an exciting, diverse, and safe destination for international students. With great universities, high quality of life, and low costs, Hungary has a lot to offer.
Most Hungarian universities are public institutions, and students traditionally study without fee payment. Health insurance for students is free until the end of their studies.
Hungary has a tax-funded universal healthcare system, organized by the state-owned National Health Insurance Fund although there have been many reports that the Hungarian health system is underfunded.
7. France
France is a beautiful country in terms of health and education. The education system is also very advanced. The tuition fee is almost free here for international students and one can opt for various creative and mainstream courses from different universities in the nation.
France has a universal healthcare system, which provides healthcare for every citizen, irrespective of wealth, age, or social status, which is made up of a fully-integrated network of public hospitals, private hospitals, doctors, and other medical service providers.
Nevertheless, France is one of the countries that offer free healthcare and college in the world.
8. Latvia
Latvian offers a universal health care system, which is funded through government taxation. It was among the lowest-ranked healthcare systems in Europe, due to excessive waiting times for treatment, insufficient access to the latest medicines, and other factors.
In the education sector in Latvia, free colleges are based on the college’s decision and not the government’s responsibility to subsidize the cost of colleges in the nation.
9. Sweden
The Swedish health care system is mainly government-funded, universal for all citizens, and decentralized, although private health care also exists.
Private healthcare is a rarity in Sweden, and even those private institutions work under the mandated city councils.
Most universities in Sweden are public and Bachelor’s and Master’s programs are free for EU/EEA and Switzerland citizens. College in Sweden is free, which is the reason most foreign students choose Sweden as a country to study although some fees might apply to international students.
10. Finland
College in Finland is free for students hailing from the European Union. However, starting in 2017, international undergraduate students wishing to earn degrees in English will pay a minimum of 1,500 EUR per year (approximately $1,776 per year), though many universities charge far more depending on the degree level and program of study.1 2
However, doctoral students no matter what country they are from as well as those pursuing their studies in Finnish still pay no tuition.
Finland’s Healthcare system consists of a highly decentralized three-level publicly funded healthcare system and a much smaller private sector, which offers its residents universal healthcare.
Therefore, Finland makes the list of countries with free healthcare and education in the world.
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