Why international students choose the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers a wide range of degrees taught in English, a clear residence permit process run through your university, and a one-year permit to look for work after you graduate. Your institution applies to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) on your behalf and checks that you have enough money to live on; the IND usually decides within two weeks of receiving the application (IND).
What it costs
Fees depend on your nationality. EU/EEA students pay the statutory fee of €2,694 for 2026-2027. Students from outside the EU/EEA pay an institutional fee: the average is €9,000 to €20,000 for a bachelor’s programme and €12,000 to €30,000 for a master’s (Study in NL).
Study in NL says students spend an average of €1,000 to €1,500 a month on living costs, and that an average room costs between €450 and €1,000 a month. Its itemised budget, based on Nibud figures from 2024, puts average rent at €561 a month (Study in NL).
The student visa and proof of funds
Non-EU/EEA students need a residence permit for study. It lasts for the length of your studies plus three months, up to a maximum of five years, and you must earn at least 50% of your credits each year (IND).
- Proof of funds: for university or hbo (higher professional education) students the required amount is €1,130.77 a month, valid from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026. For mbo and secondary education it is €928.58 a month (IND).
- Application fee: a first study permit costs €254. The IND changes its fees each year on 1 January (IND).
Working while you study
Students with a study residence permit can work no more than 16 hours a week, or work only in the summer months. They need a work permit from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) to do so (IND). Study in NL notes that basic Dutch health insurance, which it lists at €133 a month, applies when you work in the Netherlands (Study in NL).
After you graduate
Non-EEA graduates can apply for the orientation year (search year for highly educated persons). The permit is valid for one year and gives free access to the Dutch labour market, so you can look for work as a highly skilled migrant or start a business (Study in NL). You can apply straight away or within three years of graduating, and you are free to work during the orientation year (Government.nl). The IND fee for this permit is also €254 (IND).
Scholarships for the Netherlands
The main national scheme is the Holland Scholarship, worth €5,000 in your first year of study. It is not a full-tuition award. You must have a non-EEA nationality, apply for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s at a participating institution, meet its entry requirements and not already hold a Dutch degree. Participating institutions are listed for the 2026-2027 academic year, and each one sets its own closing date (Study in NL). Many Dutch universities also offer their own scholarships, so check your institution’s website.
