Since Brexit, most EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens need a UK Student visa to study in Britain on courses longer than six months. This guide covers who's exempt, current 2026 fees, the application steps, and financial requirements — with figures verified against gov.uk and UK Home Office sources.
Disclaimer: Immigration rules, fees, and financial requirements change regularly. This guide is for informational purposes based on 2026 UK Home Office policies. Always verify the latest requirements on official GOV.UK pages before applying.
Do EU Students Need a Visa to Study in the UK in 2026?
Since Brexit, citizens from EU, EEA, and Swiss nations require a visa to study in the UK, with specific exemptions. Students with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme do not need a visa, nor do Irish citizens under Common Travel Area rules.
The requirements depend on the duration and type of study.
- Short courses under 6 months: No visa is required, but since 2 April 2025, EU, EEA, and Swiss travellers must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. The ETA now costs £20 (raised from £16 on 8 April 2026), is linked digitally to your passport, and is valid for two years (or until your passport expires) and permits multiple trips.
- Full degree programs over 6 months: A UK Student visa is mandatory.
Find UK Programs Tailored to Your Study Plan
Whether you are planning a short-term exchange under 6 months or a full degree program, explore accredited UK institutions accepting EU students.
How to Apply for a UK Student Visa as an EU Citizen
Applying for a UK Student visa involves a digital, step-by-step process. Applications can be submitted up to six months before your course start date when applying from outside the UK.
- Step 1: Receive CAS — Receive an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor and obtain your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number.
- Step 2: Download ID Check App — Download the official UK Immigration: ID Check smartphone app to confirm your identity digitally.
- Step 3: Complete Online Form — Fill out the online visa application on the official GOV.UK portal.
- Step 4: Pay Fees — Pay the mandatory visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Step 5: Receive eVisa — Upon successful approval, receive an official eVisa linked digitally to your passport.
Tip! EU passport holders with biometric chips can confirm their identity entirely online using the UK Immigration: ID Check app, allowing you to skip in-person biometric appointments at a Visa Application Centre.
UK Student Visa Costs and Financial Requirements (2026)
- Visa application fee: £558 (up from £524, effective 8 April 2026)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year of study, paid upfront and covering your full visa duration. It grants full NHS access.
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Financial (maintenance) funds: You must show you can support yourself for up to 9 months:
- £1,529/month for courses in London
- £1,171/month for courses outside London
- Funds must be held in an approved account for at least 28 consecutive days before you apply.
Full-time EU students holding a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may apply for a partial or full IHS refund if they do not work in the UK — but this reduces coverage to "medically necessary treatment" only rather than full NHS access, so weigh the trade-off before applying.
Warning! Financial maintenance funds must be held in an approved bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before applying for your visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, up to 20 hours per week during term time for degree-level courses and full-time during holidays.
Yes, through the Graduate Route visa, which allows bachelor's and master's graduates to stay for 2 years, and PhD graduates for 3 years. Note: For Graduate Route applications submitted on or after January 1, 2027, the duration for bachelor's and master's graduates will shift to 18 months.
No, but they must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation prior to travel.
Students pay the Immigration Health Surcharge to access the NHS, and eligible EHIC holders can request a fee refund.
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