An Overview of The Living Cost in Netherlands for International Students

13 min read

Did you start planning to pursue any degree at any university or institution in the Netherlands? Are you quite stressed about managing expenses for your education? Well, let's make a step by step analysis on what to include in your student budget. 

Living costs in Netherlands for international students consist of tuition fees, daily expenditures, different administrative fees, books, and costs and transportation, recreational expenses.

Living Cost in Netherlands for International Students

Student Accommodation in Netherlands:

The accommodation has the biggest chunk of the living cost in Netherlands for international students. Living expenses in Netherlands for students vary from city to city and your preferred lifestyles. 

In general, you will find accommodation between Euro 300-500 per month. Rent in major cities like Amsterdam can be around Euro 500 or higher per month. The student generally rents a single apartment, shares a rented apartment, or has student houses.

• Renting a single apartment (studio): 500 - 1,000 EUR/month

• Sharing a rented apartment: 400 - 700 EUR/month

• Student houses: 350 - 600 EUR/month

Don't forget to explore all the options before you finalize your residence. Living few more minutes walk from campus can significantly slash off your rent

We have included estimated living costs for students on the university detail page. You can find more information on student accommodation in the Netherlands in the "Housing Section".

Food and Groceries:

If you want to live on a budget, then learning "The art of cooking" is a must. All groceries have all the necessary items to cook your favorite cuisine. Cooking at home can save you a few thousand dollars in a year.

Internet Fees, Cleaning services, Clothes, Laundry, etc.:

Along with your rent, you have to pay your internet fees, cleaning, laundry, basic utilities (such as electricity, water, heating), transportation costs, etc. These costs would be around Euro 100-150/month

Living costs in Netherlands for international students consist of multiple types of insurance. Health insurance is one of them. As a student, you need to be covered by health insurance. 

Ask your school, college, or university about the coverage of your health insurance and what options you have. There is much insurance available to get you covered.

Healthcare Insurance:

You must have to have health insurance. If you are an international student (non-EU/EEA) planning to study, only then you are not eligible to take Dutch Public Health Insurance. You must take your health insurance from your home country. If you are an EU/EEA student, you may be eligible for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Working and Studying: If you are planning to both work and study then you must have to have a Dutch Public Health Insurance. Steps on receiving health insurance:

• Register with the municipality.

• Choose your health insurance from many Dutch Public Health insurance providers.

• It must cancel your insurance at the time of leaving the Netherlands or stop working.

• During your orientation year, you are not allowed to take Dutch basic health insurance if you haven’t found work yet. You can apply for Dutch Health Insurance as soon as you find Job. (In the time of starting orientation year and finding a job you can have international health insurance).

• More information can be found here.

Liability Insurance:

Accidents can be very expensive and if it happens for you it might be very costly for you. If you cause an accident on the road or break anything your liability insurance will cover the costs. 

Note: If you are an intern or employee, you may be included in the company’s liability insurance.

Repatriation Insurance:

Repatriation means returning to your home in some exceptional cases such as you being sick. This policy would cover the costs of returning to your home country to seek medical treatment.

Household Content Insurance:

Netherlands’ household content insurance covers the content of your home (theft of expensive electronic appliances, fire or water damage, etc.)

Tuition Fees in Netherlands:

Tuition fees depend on courses to courses as well as your nationality. Tuition fees for international students range from Euro 7,000 to Euro 20,000 per year. Domestic students (Students from EU/EEA/Suriname) pay much fewer tuition fees that range from Euro 2,000 to Euro 8,000 per year. 

You can study free in the Netherlands if you receive a scholarship and/or manage a working position at the University (Mostly graduate or Ph.D. students are able to find a paid position as a researcher, teaching assistant, and research assistant). 

You can find the tuition fees of any program on the program details page at the right bottom corner (If there's no tuition fee information then click "Tuition Fees'' as it will redirect you to University's tuition fees section.)

Money-Saving Tips to Manage Living Cost in Netherlands for International Students

As a student, you will always be on a budget line. Nothing will be ample for most of the students in the foreign land. In order to maintain an economically balanced life, you need to manage your money smartly. 

Below here, we are showing you multiple money saving tips. Hope these will help in the Dutch land.

Download "Allefolders":

This app will provide you with all the cheapest offers currently available in different supermarkets and stores. Moreover, supermarkets in the Netherlands such as "Albert Heijn" offer BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE!. To avail of these offers, you need to get a bonus card for free from the store.

Visit FARMERS market:

Every Saturday you will find fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and other items in the Farmers market. Shopping there will not only help you eat the freshest meal and save money but also help locals.

Buy second-hand books:

Buying new books can be very costly. So always try to buy second-hand books from a local store or university library. Ask your friends or google to find leads on it.

Buy items in large quantities:

Buying in large quantities can help you lower the cost of non-perishable items such as toiletries. Ask your neighbors or friends to do grocery store shopping. Split the bills and savings.

Check Expiration dates:

Most stores put items with near expiration dates on the front shelves. Often, you can buy them at a lower cost.

Avoid Impulse Purchase:

It is very easy to buy some product that you really don't need. Before buying anything ask yourself- "Do I really need this item?". Remember, marketings are done in such an eye-catching way to make you feel unconscious that you need it. 

You save some extra bucks by always bringing your reusable bags for shopping. Stores charge 30 to 40 cents for each bag.

Go to the bakery shop before it closes:

Are you craving to eat delicious cakes, cookies, or bread? Then pay a visit to your nearby bakery shop. Bakery owners tend to sell freshly made items and they offer discounts or throw away unsold items. 

Paying a visit from time to time would help you feed your appetite as well as save some money.

Avoid Credit cards:

You would find a plethora of credit card options. Companies offer free credit cards with special perks and benefits. But, don't get swept out with sweet talks. The average annual interest rate for student credit cards in Canada is around 18.11%.

Pay taxes:

It is easy to lose sight of your important responsibilities such as paying taxes. Your hourly wage rate is taxable. Another important point to remember is the scholarships or grants you may receive may be taxable as well.

Discount for students:

Love having discounts? Well, as a student you will have multiple ways to enjoy discounts at local shops, book stores, restaurants, airlines, buses, railways, etc. To access these discounts you need to have the International Student Identification Card. 

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is globally recognized and makes you eligible for a variety of discounts. It costs approximately $20 and can be ordered online. At some retailers, presenting your student card is enough to get you 10 – 15% off art supplies, as for example.

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