Study in Europe from Pakistan: study visa guide for 2026

To study in Europe from Pakistan, you need a long stay study visa or residence permit from the country where your university is, not a Schengen visa. Germany is the main low cost option, with no tuition at most public universities and a €11,904 blocked account. Ireland is the English speaking EU option, needing €10,000 a year plus fees. Via Nova's European study visa services cover Germany and Ireland.

Do you need a Schengen visa to study in Europe?

No. This is the most common mix up. The European Commission explains the difference:

• Schengen short stay visa (type C): for stays of up to 90 days in any 180 day period, such as a short course or a visit.
• National long stay visa (type D) or student residence permit: for study longer than 90 days. The country where your university is located issues it, under its own national rules.

So a Pakistani student going to Germany for a master's applies for a German national visa, and one going to Italy applies for an Italian study visa. Each country sets its own funds, documents and process. Ireland is separate again: it is in the EU but not in Schengen, and the Embassy of Ireland in Pakistan says a Schengen visa does not let you travel to Ireland.

Which European countries does Via Nova cover?

Via Nova's study visa services in Europe cover Germany and Ireland. They suit many Pakistani students: Germany for low tuition at public universities, and Ireland for English taught degrees inside the EU.

The overview of Italy, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland further down is general information from official sources, so you can compare. For those countries, please work directly with the universities and the official visa channels.

How do you get a Germany study visa from Pakistan?

You apply for a German national visa for study through the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal. The German Missions in Pakistan split applicants by home province:

You register, complete a questionnaire, upload your documents, and wait for a visa officer's first screening. You then receive either an appointment or a request for missing documents. Upload your degrees, transcripts and any tuition fee receipt from the start, because the Missions say your registration stays on hold without them.

The Embassy's student checklist asks for:

• an admission letter from a German university;
• proof of language skills in the language of instruction;
• proof of funds, usually a blocked account (Sperrkonto) holding €11,904 for one year, the amount required since 1 January 2025;
• your previous degrees and school certificates, and a CV;
• travel health insurance valid from your date of travel;
• a passport valid for at least one year plus three months;
• the €75 visa fee, paid in rupees.

The Missions say demand for student visas still exceeds their capacity, so apply as soon as your admission letter arrives. Our guide to English taught master's in Germany covers programmes, uni-assist and deadlines.

How do you get an Ireland study visa from Pakistan?

For a course longer than 3 months you need a long stay (D) study visa. Irish Immigration Service Delivery says to apply up to 3 months before you travel. The process:

1. Complete the online application (AVATS). VFS Global says the visa fee has been paid during the AVATS application since 8 December 2025.
2. Print and sign the summary form, and gather your documents and photo.
3. Submit your passport and documents where the summary form directs you. VFS Global, the official partner of the Embassy of Ireland in Pakistan, runs centres in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Mirpur. VFS says you must attend within 30 days of submitting the online form, or the application is treated as withdrawn.

The main requirements, as of October 2026:

• An approved course. It must be a full time programme on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) or the TrustEd Ireland providers list. Irish Immigration says to check both.
• Fees paid. If your fees are under €6,000 you pay them in full before applying. Above that, you pay at least €6,000.
• Funds. Immediate access to at least €10,000 for the first year, and the same for each later year, on top of fees.
• Private medical insurance, arranged by you or your college.
• English. A certificate from an accepted test provider, issued within 2 years of your course start.

The visa fee is €60 for single entry or €100 for multiple entry. After arrival, you register your permission, and the registration fee is €300 where it applies. Our study in Ireland page sets out how Via Nova helps at each step.

Which European countries are cheapest for Pakistani students?

On tuition, Germany is hard to beat. The other countries Pakistani students ask about all charge non EU students, and each sets its own living funds. These figures come from each country's official sources, checked on 14 October 2026. Via Nova does not provide services for these five countries.

Three recent changes matter for Pakistani students:

• Finland. Since 1 October 2025 Pakistani applicants must verify their identity in Doha, and Finland's Embassy in Islamabad closed on 16 June 2026. Finland's mission in Qatar says Pakistani applicants currently cannot travel to Doha for this because their Qatar visa applications are still being processed.
• Sweden. Bachelor's and master's students whose permits are granted on or after 11 June 2026 may work a maximum of 15 hours a week, with exceptions such as June to August.
• Italy. The Embassy in Islamabad uses BLS-Intiana, not VFS, and only students whose pre enrolment is validated on Universitaly can apply. It set 30 November 2026 as the visa application deadline for the 2026/27 year.

Can you study in Europe without IELTS?

Sometimes. In Germany, the visa asks for proof of language skills in the language of instruction, and your university decides what English proof it accepts. In Ireland, the visa list includes the Duolingo English Test (75 for degree courses) as well as IELTS Academic (5.0) and PTE Academic (30), though colleges often ask for more. Our guide to a study visa without IELTS compares all six main destinations.

Can you work while studying in Europe?

In Germany, the Residence Act allows 140 full days or 280 half days of work a year. In Ireland, students on Stamp 2 can work up to 20 hours a week in term, and up to 40 hours a week in June, July, August and September and from 15 December to 15 January. Elsewhere, France allows 964 hours a year, Italy 20 hours a week up to 1,040 hours a year, the Netherlands 16 hours a week or full time in June, July and August, and Finland an average of 30 hours a week.

Plan to live on your own funds. Via Nova does not arrange jobs or job offers.

What happens after you graduate?

Germany lets graduates apply for a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for work. Ireland's Third Level Graduate Programme gives level 8 graduates, such as honours bachelor's holders, 12 months. Level 9 graduates, such as master's holders, get 12 months, renewable for another 12 if they show they have been looking for graduate level work.

Not sure where you stand?

Europe suits some profiles far better than others. Send your grades, your English scores, your budget and the countries you are considering to a Via Nova counsellor on WhatsApp at +92 316 4448062. We will tell you honestly whether Germany or Ireland fits your case, through our study visa service and our study in Germany team.