NEOS is demanding a doubling of tuition fees as part of negotiations for the 2040 Higher Education Strategy. Led by the Ministry of Science, the strategy aims for completion by early 2027. The proposal raises EU student fees to 700 euros per semester.
The plan includes increasing third-country student fees to 2,500 euros, linked to easier labor market access. NEOS spokesperson Martina Künsberg Sarre also proposes doubling the minimum study requirement to 32 ECTS points to improve low graduation rates.
These deferred fees would only be paid after graduation once an income threshold is met. NEOS argues the increase matches inflation since 2001, and suggests combining stricter rules with better supervision ratios and guaranteed course access for students.