Study in Italy for Free: Complete 2026 Guide for Indian Students

Many Indian students dream of pursuing an Italian degree to explore its living culture and cuisine. However, the high cost of studying abroad often holds them back. The good news is you can study in Italy for free, as it provides several government aids and university scholarships to support international students.

As an Indian student, you can apply for 100% scholarships, economic concessions, and fee waivers. Many Italian universities offer English-taught programmes, which are affordable, and scholarships can cover everything from tuition to living expenses. So, scroll down to learn more about the scholarship opportunities in Italy, the application process, eligibility, and more.

Around 100,000 international students currently study in Italy, with approximately 6,100 of them being Indian students [Source: India Today]. This shows that a majority of Indian candidates are choosing to study in Italy due to high-quality and affordable education, and cultural immersion opportunities:

• Academic Excellence: Italian institutions are renowned for architecture, design, arts, fashion, engineering, and business programmes. They offer several English-taught programmes, making them accessible to international students without requiring Italian language proficiency.
• Affordable Education: The public universities in Italy offer higher education at a lower cost as compared to other EU and overseas destinations. It provides a variety of grants and financial aid to meritorious and deserving candidates. This makes European education accessible to middle-class Indian families.
• Cultural Immersion: Italy is an ancient country with deep historical roots, where each city is like an open-air museum. Students get to learn a new language and explore its diverse cuisine. The Schengen visa helps them travel across Europe, enhancing their overall academic experience.

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Yes, Indian students can study in Italy with minimal or zero tuition fees. As per a UNI-ITALIA report 2023, as many as 62% of international students received tuition and fees waivers in Italy. You can study in Italy for free by understanding the ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente). It translates to “Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator” and is an official index used by Italian institutions to assess your family's economic standing. This index assesses international students based on income, assets, family composition, and housing. The ISEE score decides their eligibility for various social benefits, subsidies, and assistance programs offered by the Italian government.

You can use it with one of the many Italian scholarships for Indian students to reduce your living expenses and tuition, making your education free. Most students manage living expenses through part-time work, family support, or partial scholarships. Therefore, low tuition fees, ISEE reductions, and scholarships together help you access free universities in Italy for international students.

For Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes, the annual tuition at most Italian public universities ranges from EUR 900 to EUR 4,000 (INR 80,000 to INR 3,50,000). What makes it even more affordable is the ISEE system, which helps universities evaluate your financial situation for tuition fee reduction. International students must submit parents’ income certificates, bank statements, property documents, and tax returns. All documents must be translated into Italian and legalised with an Apostille stamp from the Ministry of External Affairs in India.

Here's a list of low tuition universities in Italy for Indian students that use ISEE to help you receive tuition waiver benefits:

In your quest to find the best scholarships to study in Italy for free, you must first understand the various types of scholarships offered by the country. These include the Italian government programmes, regional scholarships, and university-specific aids for international students. Let us have a detailed look at these funding options, their eligibility, awards, deadlines, and more:

The government of Italy's scholarship programs support the education of bright international students to strengthen foreign ties and cultural exchange. These include the prestigious MAECI Scholarship Italy 2026 and the IYT programs. Let us discuss them in detail: 

The IYT Programme is a joint initiative by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Confindustria, and ICE (Italian Trade Agency). It aims to provide free education to talented students for Master’s courses in strategic fields such as Engineering, Advanced Technologies, Architecture, Design, Economics, and Management. In the academic year 2025-26, about 1,757 applications have been submitted to date. 

Average Award/Benefits:

• Exemption from tuition fees
• Monthly living allowance of EUR 1,000 (INR 1,02,924) for 9 months
• Italian language course
• Internship placement with Italian companies

Eligibility Criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree completed or near completion, necessary for the eligible master’s degree programs
• Applicant must be born on or after the 1st of January 1998
• Good English language proficiency (minimum B2 level within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• Submit the scores of IELTS, TOEIC, and TOEFL tests (Not mandatory, but recommended)
• Programmes must be at selected partner universities. The fields include the MS in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering, Bionics Engineering, Cybersecurity, and more.

Application Deadline 2026:

• Late February

Apply:

• Official IYT Portal

The MAECI Scholarship is a program established by the Italian government to promote the country's arts, sciences, and technology around the world. It helps students enrol in Master's degrees, PhDs, and conduct research in Italian public schools for free.

Average Award/Benefits:

• Tuition fee exemption
• Monthly stipend of about EUR 900 (INR 92,537) awarded for up to 6 to 9 months (from January to October)
• Health insurance coverage

Eligibility Criteria:

• Be from one of the eligible countries
• Be 28 years old or younger by the application deadline.
• Bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record (minimum 60% or equivalent)
• Submit a certificate of Italian language proficiency at a minimum B2 level (CEFR) for Italian-taught courses. Students already enrolled in an Italian language program may present a certification issued by their university's language department.
• Provide a certificate of English proficiency at a minimum B2 level (CEFR) for courses taught in English.
  • Proof of Italian is not required for English-taught programs.
  • Candidates from English-speaking countries applying for English-taught courses may provide self-certification of language proficiency.
• Cannot have previously received Italian government scholarships (including DSU grants)

Application Deadline 2026:

• May, 2026

Apply:

• Study in Italy Portal

Many of Italy’s top universities offer their own merit-based scholarships to attract high-achieving international students. These provide fee waivers, cash grants, and other services. Below is a comparison of scholarships at three top universities to help you study in Italy for free:

Italy regional scholarships for Indian students are managed by DSU agencies to offer merit-based awards for those enrolled in Italian universities. The students are selected based on their ISEE income bracket, and they get the benefits of tuition waivers, subsidised housing, meal plans, and cash stipends

DSU scholarship Italy for Indian students is are region-based financial aid programme offered across Italy’s different regions. These are among the most generous scholarships available, as they are designed to ensure that financially disadvantaged students can access higher education regardless of their economic background. Each Italian region manages its own DSU programme, with slight variations in benefits:

Average Award/Benefits:

• Exemption from tuition fees
• Free or subsidised university accommodation in student residences
• Free meals at university cafeterias
• Covers additional expenses such as books and transport

Eligibility Criteria:

• Enrolled or planning to enrol in a degree programme at a university in that specific region
• ISEE value below the regional threshold (ISEE ≤ EUR 26,516.70 or INR 27,23,994.30)
• For first-year students, high school grades, entrance exam scores, or ISEE income brackets are considered
• Continuing students must earn a specified number of university credits

Application Deadline 2026:

• Between August and September (varies by region)

Apply: 

• Each region has its own website.
• Use the regional DSU portal listed by the university (e.g., ER.GO for Emilia-Romagna).

Erasmus Scholarship Italy is the European Union's flagship education and training programme. It is commonly known for student exchange programmes. The programme also offers full degree scholarships for students from partner countries, including India.

Erasmus+ is a prestigious programme where as many as 50,000 students have participated since 2004. It offers scholarships for students to enrol in Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EMJM) degrees from partner countries, including India. EMJM is a joint Master’s degree programme offered by consortia of European universities, including many Italian institutions. 

Average Award/Benefits:

• Living allowance
• Travel allowance
• Visa coverage

Eligibility Criteria:

• Have completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or are in your final year.
• Applicants must complete their graduation before their master’s program starts.

Application Deadline 2026:

• Between October and January 2026

Apply:

European Commission Website

Studying in Italy for free involves meeting specific academic requirements and following a structured application process. Understanding these requirements for studying in Italy for free helps you prepare your application materials well in advance.

Before understanding how to apply for Italian scholarships, you must check if you fulfil the general eligibility criteria:

• For Bachelor’s Programmes: You need to have completed 12 years of schooling (10+2 pattern) with a good academic record.
• For Master’s Programmes: A relevant Bachelor’s degree is required. Some programmes may ask for a specific number of credits in certain subjects.
• Language Proficiency: For courses taught in English, you will need to provide proof of proficiency with an IELTS or TOEFL score. If you plan to study in Italian, a B2-level certificate in the language is usually necessary.

To make your education in Italy free, you must first start by researching and shortlisting programmes that suit your field of interest. Here is a detailed step-by-step application process to study in Italy for free: 

The first step is to research and shortlist the universities and courses that fit your academic and career goals.

Carefully check the specific admission requirements, deadlines, and required documents for your chosen programmes.

Before you can apply for a visa, all non-EU students must complete a pre-enrolment universitaly portal application. This is a mandatory step where you link your profile to your chosen university and course.

Submit your application directly through the university’s online portal, uploading all the required documents. Make sure to apply for any university-specific scholarships at the same time.

Once your application is reviewed, the university will send you an official letter of acceptance.

With the acceptance letter and your pre-enrolment summary, you can now apply for a long-stay (Type D) student visa at the nearest VFS Global centre in India.

You will need admission and visa documents, credential legalisation, and evidence of finances or a scholarship. Below is a checklist:

• Academic Transcripts: Mark sheets and certificates from your Class 10, Class 12, and Bachelor’s degree (if applicable).
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs): Two to three letters from professors or employers who can speak to your academic and professional abilities.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP): A well-written essay explaining your motivation for choosing the course and university, and your future goals.
• Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore - DOV): For your highest qualification (issued by the Italian Embassy/Consulate in India).
• Updated CV/Resumé: A summary of your academic and professional experience.
• Language Proficiency Certificate: Your IELTS or TOEFL scorecard for English-taught programmes.
• Valid Passport: A copy of your passport with at least three months’ validity beyond your intended stay.
• Proof of Financial Means: For the visa application, you need to show proof of sufficient funds to cover your living expenses.
• Proof of Accommodation: A rental agreement or a letter confirming your booking in a student dormitory for at least the initial period of your stay.

To help manage expenses, international students in Italy are allowed to work part-time. They can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time (up to 40 hours per week) during academic breaks. This helps them earn extra money, gain work experience, and immerse themselves in Italian life. The student residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) serves as your work authorisation, so no separate work permit is needed.

The cost of living in Italy is more affordable than in many other Western European countries. The table below summarises the cost of living in Italy for indian students:

Italy offers world-class universities, affordable tuition fees, and scholarships that make it possible for international students to study in Italy for free. You can utilise university scholarships, MAECI/Invest Your Talent programmes, regional DSU packages, and low-tuition public universities. Additionally, the ISEE reduces the tuition fees further and provides living support.

At LeapScholar, we provide you with personalised guidance for your academic profile, career goals, and budget. We help you identify the best universities in Italy, suggest programmes aligned with your background, and maximise your chances of selection. You get access to the best consultants for studying in Italy who simplify the application process and help you get documents apostilled and translated.

Ready to turn your dream of studying in Italy into reality? Connect with LeapScholar’s expert counsellors today for a free consultation.