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Hungary vs Finland vs Poland: Cost, Scholarships and Visa Rules Compared for 2027

The 2027 comparison table

Figures below were checked in October 2026 against each country's own authorities where possible. Taka conversions use EUR 1 = BDT 137.41 (7 October 2026) and will move.

What one year actually costs, in taka

Tuition alone does not tell you the real cost. At Study Hungary, we ask every Bangladeshi applicant to calculate the first year, not just the tuition line. Adding 12 months of living costs gives a fairer picture of a first year (Finland uses Migri's €800/month minimum, since that is the figure you must show).

On these numbers, Hungary's first year costs roughly half of Finland's at the low end, and Finland's cheapest year is more expensive than Hungary's most expensive one. These are ranges, not quotes, because tuition varies widely by university and programme. For Hungarian fee detail by university, see our guide to study in Hungary tuition fees.

Scholarships: who actually gets funded

Hungary's biggest advantage is Stipendium Hungaricum, the Hungarian government scholarship run through the Tempus Public Foundation. It pays a monthly stipend of HUF 43,700, adds a HUF 40,000 housing allowance for students who do not live in a dormitory, and covers tuition. The catch is competition: roughly 11 percent of applicants are accepted. Our breakdown of the Stipendium Hungaricum acceptance rate shows how the numbers work. The 2027/28 application window is expected to open in November 2026, with the last confirmed deadline being 15 January, so confirm the dates on the official site as soon as they appear.

Poland offers the NAWA Stefan Banach scholarship and the Visegrad scholarship programme, mostly at Master's level. Finland has no national scholarship scheme for Bachelor's students. Funding comes from individual institutions' tuition scholarships, and you apply for them in the same form as your programme.

Visa and proof of funds

The three systems ask for different money in different shapes. Hungary expects roughly HUF 200,000 per month (about €500) multiplied by the months your first permit covers. Finland requires €800 per month, or €9,600 for a year, shown as a bank balance, according to Migri. Poland's figure of about PLN 8,000 comes from a consultancy source rather than the authority, so treat it as approximate and confirm with the embassy before you rely on it.

For Hungary, the visa fees are modest. A Type D long-stay visa costs about €60-110 and the residence permit about HUF 18,000. Full steps are in our Hungary student visa guide for Bangladesh.

Where Bangladeshi students actually apply

This is the detail most comparison articles skip, and it changes your cost and planning. Hungary has a Dhaka office of its embassy alongside the Hungarian Visa Application Centre run by VFS Bangladesh, so you can lodge your documents in Dhaka. Finland has no mission in Bangladesh. You apply through the Finland Application Centre in New Delhi, which the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi covers. Poland also has no embassy in Dhaka, and its ambassador in New Delhi covers Bangladesh, though you should confirm the current arrangement with the Polish embassy.

For a student in Dhaka, Hungary is the only one of the three where identity checks and document submission can happen at home. For Finland and Poland, budget for the cost and time of travelling to India.

Documents to prepare in Bangladesh

Hungary's VFS checklist for a study permit is a good model for what to expect in any of the three. It asks for a valid passport with at least two blank pages, a police clearance certificate, an English birth certificate with MOFA attestation, an English CV, a signed English motivation letter, and school certificates attested by MOFA. For funds, it asks for a scholarship payment certificate or six months of sponsor bank statements, a sponsor's declaration and proof of family relationship. You also need proof of accommodation and healthcare coverage. Only original documents are accepted, and you should bring a spare photocopy set.

Start MOFA attestation and police clearance early, because these are the steps that slow Bangladeshi applicants down most. If you hold a diploma rather than an HSC, check eligibility first in our guide on studying in Hungary with a diploma instead of HSC.

Working while studying, and what happens after

Poland is the most flexible: full-time students face no weekly hour limit and need no separate work permit. Finland allows 30 hours a week, averaged over the year, and the limit does not apply to work related to your degree. Hungary allows 24 hours a week during term and full-time work during official holidays, and you need a Hungarian tax number.

After graduation, Finland gives the longest runway, a residence permit to look for work of up to 2 years. Poland offers a one-time 9-month graduate permit, and graduates of full-time university studies do not need a separate work permit. For Hungary, we did not find a confirmed job-search permit in the sources we checked, so confirm the current rules with the immigration authority before you plan around one.

Which country fits which student

Common mistakes

1. Assuming there is an embassy in Dhaka for every country. Finland and Poland are handled from New Delhi.
2. Comparing tuition only. Proof of funds and living costs change the real first-year cost.
3. Applying late for Stipendium Hungaricum. The window is short and the deadline has been in mid-January.
4. Starting MOFA attestation and police clearance too late. These two steps hold up the most Bangladeshi applications.

Bangladesh-specific considerations

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

There is no single best country. Hungary wins on cost and on being able to apply from Dhaka, Poland on work flexibility, and Finland on how long you can stay after you graduate. Pick based on your budget and your plan after graduation, not on which country looks cheapest in a headline.