Study in Serbia or Hungary? This question comes up often among international students looking for an affordable study environment, reasonable costs and a genuinely recognised degree. In 2026, Serbia stands out for lower living costs, English-taught medicine and a government scholarship, while Hungary is attractive because it is in the European Union and the Schengen area. But what are the real differences? In this article we compare the two on costs, scholarships, visas and quality of education, especially in medicine, so you can decide on a sound basis.

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Scholarships: Stipendium Hungaricum vs World in Serbia

One of the biggest differences between studying in Serbia and Hungary is the scholarship systems for international students. In Hungary, the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship is offered by the Hungarian government to support students from outside the European Union, covering tuition and a monthly stipend, with additional support for accommodation and insurance. In Serbia, the World in Serbia scholarship is the main government programme: it is offered to candidates from Non-Aligned Movement member and observer states, nominated by their governments.

The Hungarian scholarship is among the strongest in Europe, but it is very competitive, requires early applications and high academic standards, and usually runs through partner-country nomination. World in Serbia also depends on nomination by your government and has age limits by level of study, but it covers all study levels: bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral.

• Stipendium Hungaricum: covers tuition and provides a monthly stipend, with accommodation and health insurance support; check the current terms on the official Hungarian programme page.
• World in Serbia: covers free tuition at state universities at one study level, accommodation and meals in student dormitories, health insurance and a monthly allowance of RSD 18,000. It does not cover travel costs.

If you qualify for either programme, both remove tuition costs. The right choice depends on your nationality, the level you want to study and whether your government nominates candidates for each.

Costs: the cost of studying in Serbia and Hungary

Serbia is among the cheaper European countries for study, a good option for international students who want a balance of quality and cost. For Hungary, compare costs at each university on its official fee page.

Tuition fees vary by university and programme. The table below summarises what we can state from official sources:

Criterion	Serbia	Hungary
Tuition (bachelor’s)	Usually €1,500 – €3,000 per year (Serbian-taught programmes)	See the official fee page of each university
Tuition (master’s)	See the official fee page of the faculty	See the official fee page of each university
Average living costs (monthly)	€350 – €1,100 including housing	Check the current estimate for your city
Housing	Depends on city and type (dormitory or private rent)	Depends on city and type (dormitory or private rent)

The figures above are approximate; Serbian state universities are known as affordable, but compare faculty by faculty and always check the official fee page of the programme you want.

If you want to keep costs down, the cost of studying in Serbia is one of Serbia’s main advantages, while in Hungary you should check carefully what a scholarship does and does not cover.

Visa and residence: is Serbia in the Schengen area?

The most important question international students ask before going to Europe is: can I travel freely within Europe after I study? The answer: not from Serbia. Serbia is not part of the Schengen area, while Hungary is a member of the European Union and the Schengen area.

This means a student in Serbia receives a residence permit that is valid for Serbia only, and Schengen travel depends on the separate Schengen visa rules for your nationality. A student in Hungary holds a Hungarian residence permit, which generally allows short stays in other Schengen countries (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), subject to the usual conditions.

• Serbia: a residence permit for Serbia only; it does not give Schengen access.
• Hungary: a residence permit in a Schengen country, which generally allows short stays elsewhere in the Schengen area.

If you plan to travel during your studies or after graduation, studying in Serbia may not meet your needs. If you want flexibility of movement, Hungary has a clear advantage.

Medicine: medicine in Serbia or Hungary?

Medicine is one of the most requested majors among international students, so comparing universities in Serbia and Hungary in this field is decisive.

In Serbia, medicine is taught in English at universities such as the University of Novi Sad, which is accredited through Serbia’s national accreditation system (NAT). Whether a Serbian degree is recognised in your own country depends on that country’s authority, so check before you apply.

In Hungary, universities such as Semmelweis University in Budapest are among the oldest medical schools in the region, and Hungary is a member of the European Union. Compare the fees and recognition of the specific programme you are considering.

• Serbia: English-taught medicine programmes at state universities, accreditation through NAT, and recognition that you must confirm with your home country.
• Hungary: long-established medical schools within the EU and Schengen area; check fees and recognition for each programme.

If you are looking for a lower-cost option, Medicine in Serbia is a good choice. If you want a degree from an EU country and the chance to work in Europe, Hungary has an advantage.

Stability and daily life: is Serbia suitable for Muslims?

Stability and daily life are decisive factors when choosing where to study. Serbia is a European country with a small Muslim minority (about 4.2%, 2022 census). There are mosques in Belgrade (the historic Bajrakli Mosque) and a Muslim-majority region around Novi Pazar, where there is a state university.

In Hungary there are mosques in Budapest, but the Muslim community is small, and daily life may be more of a challenge for Muslims, especially outside the capital.

If you are looking for a comfortable and balanced environment, studying in Serbia is worth considering, especially for Muslim students.

Result: which is better?

After analysing all the criteria, here is how we see each category:

• Scholarship: depends on your nationality and nomination; both Stipendium Hungaricum and World in Serbia cover tuition.
• Costs: Serbia (generally more affordable at state universities)
• Visa and mobility: Hungary (Schengen area)
• Medicine: both have strong options; Hungary is within the EU, Serbia usually costs less
• Daily life for Muslims: Serbia (a larger Muslim community in Novi Pazar, and mosques in Belgrade)

If your priorities are low cost and a stable environment, studying in Serbia is the better choice. If you are looking for a strong scholarship, freedom to travel in the Schengen area and a degree from an EU country, studying in Hungary has the advantage.

Serbia: official facts for your decision

These points come from official Serbian sources and help when you compare Serbia with an EU country:

• Temporary residence fees: 430 RSD at submission plus 23,450 RSD on approval, 23,880 RSD in total (source).
• World in Serbia: the scholarship covers all study programmes and levels at state universities, is awarded to candidates from Non-Aligned Movement member and observer states, and includes accommodation, food, a monthly allowance and health insurance (source).
• Fees for international students: they usually pay more than home students, and Serbia has no national grant system for them apart from World in Serbia (source).
• Work rules: up to 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month for students with temporary residence for study, without a separate work permit (source).
• Doctoral studies: a PhD in Serbia takes 3 years, and admission requires a bachelor’s and master’s degree totalling at least 300 ECTS (source).
• Health insurance: the documents required with a visa D application are listed by the government (source).

For Hungary, check the official fee page of each university and the Stipendium Hungaricum programme page before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in Serbia without a visa?

For a stay of study you need temporary residence in Serbia, and usually a type D visa before you travel; entry rules for short visits depend on your nationality. The Serbian residence permit is valid for Serbia and does not give Schengen access.

Does the World in Serbia scholarship cover all costs?

Yes, for eligible students it covers tuition (free study at state universities at one study level), accommodation and meals in dormitories, health insurance and a monthly allowance of RSD 18,000. It does not cover travel costs, textbooks or study materials, and it is open to candidates nominated by Non-Aligned Movement member and observer states.

Can I work while studying in Serbia?

Yes. Students with temporary residence for study may work up to 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month, with no separate work permit.

Is a Serbian medical degree recognised in Saudi Arabia?

Recognition is decided by the authority of the country where you want to practise. Serbian medical degrees are issued by accredited universities (NAT), but you should check with the relevant ministry before you apply.

Can I move from Serbia to Hungary after studying?

Yes, but you need your own visa or residence permit for Hungary, because Serbia is not part of the Schengen area. Moving to Schengen countries is not automatic.

Choosing between studying in Serbia or Hungary depends on your personal priorities. Are you looking for low cost and a stable environment? Serbia is the better choice. Do you want a strong scholarship, freedom of travel and a degree from an EU country? Then Hungary has the advantage. Use this comparison as a guide to making an informed decision in 2026, and start your study journey with confidence.

Official website of the University of Novi Sad
University of Novi Sad — Wikipedia
National Accreditation Body (NAT)

Official sources

• Official website of the University of Novi Sad
• University of Novi Sad — Wikipedia (Arabic)
• National Accreditation Body (NAT)