Finances - the Netherlands

Tuition Fees

Higher education in the Netherlands is not free. EU students pay €2,601 per academic year for Bachelor’s and most Master’s programs. This fee includes tuition and basic study materials.

The Dutch government aims to make higher education as accessible as possible for everyone who wants to study. That’s why EU students can apply for student finance*, which is available to those who officially work at least 8 hours per week. This support includes four parts:
a loan, a basic grant, a supplementary grant, and a public transport pass — and can total up to €1,310.87 per month, depending on your parents’ income. In addition, EU students can also apply for a tuition fee loan and housing allowance.

Financial Support for EU Students (Student Finance)*

Government financial support includes four components:

• A low-interest student loan
• A basic monthly grant (for students working at least 32 hours per month, not income-based)
• A supplementary grant (based on parents’ income)
• Free or discounted public transport pass

To receive any of the financial support from the Dutch government, you must meet the following conditions:

• Be enrolled at a university or university of applied sciences in the Netherlands
• Study full-time
• Be under 30 years old
• Either work officially in the Netherlands for at least 32 hours per month (8 hours per week), or have lived in the Netherlands for at least 5 years

For full details about eligibility and how to apply for financial support, visit the official DUO website.

1. Low-interest loan (regular loan)

• Students can choose the amount they want to borrow, up to a maximum of €304.95 per month (if applying for other support as well).
• You’ll only need to start repaying the loan after you graduate and earn more than the minimum wage. You’ll never have to pay more than 4% of the income you earn above the minimum wage.

2. Basic grant (basic grant)

• All EU students who meet the general eligibility criteria can receive this support.
• The amount is €314.00 per month (as of September 2024).
• It’s available for 3 or 4 years, depending on the type of university you attend.
• Important: If you don’t complete your studies within 10 years, the grant will be converted into a loan, and you’ll have to repay it with interest.

3. Supplementary grant (supplementary grant)

• This support is available to EU students who meet the general criteria and whose parents earn less than €36,592 per year (combined). If your parents earn more than that but less than €70,000 per year, you may still receive partial support.
• The maximum amount is €475.17 per month, but the exact sum depends on your parents’ income over the past two years.
• Important: If you don’t finish your studies within 10 years, this grant will turn into a loan and must be repaid.

4. Public transport pass (student travel product)

• If you’re working as a student, you can travel across the Netherlands by public transport for free or at a reduced price.
• This transport pass is technically a loan — but you won’t have to repay it if you complete your studies within 10 years.
• You can choose between a weekday pass or a weekend pass, depending on your travel needs.

IMPORTANT:

• The total amount of government support (loan + basic grant + supplementary grant) cannot exceed €1,094.12 per month. So, if you receive the maximum basic and supplementary grants (475.17€+314.00€= €789.11 combined), the highest loan amount you can apply for is €304.95 per month.
• To apply for financial support or the student loan, you must already be living in the Netherlands, have a social security number (BSN), and a job. That means you cannot apply before moving to the country.
• After applying, it may take up to 3 months before your support is approved and starts. So it’s very important to have enough personal funds to cover your first few months.

Tuition fees loan (tuition fees loan)

The Dutch government also offers a separate loan to help cover your tuition fees.

• This loan is paid in monthly installments of €216.75 and is transferred directly to your university to partially cover your tuition.
• You’ll start repaying the loan once you find a job and earn at least the minimum wage.
• If your income is too low to cover the monthly payments, you can apply to have them reduced.
• The tuition loan must be repaid within 15 years after graduation.
• Each September, a government board meets to review student questions and loan-related matters.
• For detailed and up-to-date information, visit the official resources [here].

Housing allowance (Housing Allowance)

Housing allowance is a monthly compensation provided by the Dutch government. It’s available to EU students whose housing costs are considered high compared to their income. To receive housing allowance, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be 18 years old or older
• Be registered in the Netherlands and have a BSN number (Citizen Service Number)
• Be employed in the Netherlands
• Have citizenship of an EU country
• Live in an independent apartment with your own bathroom, kitchen, and private entrance. If you rent just a room in a shared flat or house, you are not eligible for this allowance. 
• Your income and rent must not exceed certain limits — these depend on your age and living situation. For example:
  • If you’re 18–22 years old, your monthly rent must not be higher than €454.47
  • If you’re 24–27 years old, your rent must not be higher than €879.66
  • Your annual income must be under €36,952, and you must have less than €25,000 in savings

If you meet all these criteria and are approved for housing allowance, the money will be transferred directly to your personal bank account. You can apply for this allowance at any time of the year, and you’ll usually start receiving payments the month after your application is submitted. The amount you receive depends on your income (salary) and rent cost. You can find a step-by-step guide on how to apply [here].

Health insurance support (zorgtoeslag)

Within four months of arriving in the Netherlands, all registered residents are required to get Dutch health insurance. Health insurance costs around €1,100 per year, but if your income is low, you can receive financial support from the government to help cover the cost. To qualify for this support, you must meet the following conditions:

• You must be over 18 years old
• You must have Dutch health insurance
• You must be a citizen of an EU country
• You must have a low income

Steps to apply for health insurance support:

1. Have a registered address in the Netherlands
2. Register with the local municipality to get your BSN number (Citizen Service Number)
3. Download DigiD (a digital ID) and wait for your login details — it usually takes about a week
4. Choose a health insurance provider and get insured
5. Go to the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax office) website → Allowances → Health care allowance. Fill in the required information (e.g., your income — if you’re not working, enter 0)
6. Wait for approval — if accepted, you’ll receive monthly support payments directly to your bank account

You can read more about this support [here].

General living expenses

Here are some sample tables to help you understand the approximate cost of living in the Netherlands. Please keep in mind that these are estimated averages — your actual expenses may be higher or lower depending on your personal lifestyle, the city you live in, the type of housing you find, and where you shop for food.