Andorran Students Exempt from France's New Non-EU Tuition Hikes

French authorities have confirmed that Andorran students at universities in France will not face the new higher tuition fees imposed on non-EU students, according to sources from the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space.

The ministry stated that Andorrans remain exempt from differentiated fees, as has been the case previously. Starting in September, most non-EU licence students will pay 2,895 euros annually, up from 178 euros. Master's fees will rise to 3,941 euros a year from the 2026-2027 academic year, compared with the previous 254 euros. The French government expects these rates to cover about 30% of study costs for state coffers.

France approved the changes via a decree published on 20 May. It includes exemptions for students who benefited from fee waivers this academic year, allowing them to continue at current rates until completing their studies. Those granted exemptions for 2026-2027 before the decree took effect will retain those benefits. Top-performing non-EU students may access scholarships, and universities can exempt up to 10% of such students, particularly under cooperation agreements with reciprocal waivers.

The measures form part of the "Choose France" plan for higher education, which aims to direct international students toward strategic fields like artificial intelligence, digital technology, quantum mechanics and biotechnology. Some 60% of international student scholarships will target these areas.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Eybalin, the French ambassador to Andorra, emphasised that a 2000 trilateral convention between Andorra, France and Spain protects Andorran students. He noted that Article 5 ensures they receive the same treatment as French or Spanish students in education matters, meaning they will continue paying rates equivalent to those of students from France, Germany, Belgium or Switzerland.

Eybalin acknowledged the exemption is not explicitly detailed in the decree but argued that international treaties take precedence over administrative decrees. The French embassy has sought official clarification from Paris, which he expects to align with this view.

Student protests have erupted across France, including in Paris and major university cities, since the fee hikes were announced a month ago. Critics call the policy discriminatory, arguing it will filter non-EU students by family income and bar access for those from lower-income backgrounds. The government anticipates the changes will generate around 250 million euros annually for universities.