The combined student debt of students and former students fell for the first time, reaching €28 billion at the start of 2026. This was €800 million, or 3%, lower than at the start of 2025, after annual increases in previous decades. Students borrowed less following the return of the basic grant. Average debt nevertheless continued to rise, including among former students who studied under the loan system; one report put the average at €18,000 per student. The number of high student debts was also still increasing.