Cost of Living

The cost of living in The Netherlands for students is an important factor to consider while planning your foreign education journey. While tuition prices for EU/EEA students may be inexpensive, living expenses can vary depending on where you live. Major cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht have higher prices than smaller towns. Students may anticipate to spend between €800 and €1,200 per month on rent, groceries, transportation, and recreational activities. However, obtaining scholarships, part-time jobs, and careful budgeting will assist you in properly managing costs and enjoying your academic adventure in this lively and culturally rich country.

Average Monthly Cost of Living in The Netherlands

€650

Accommodation in most cities of The Netherlands can be costly. Some cities can be as cheap as €300, however, cities like Amsterdam can be costly with rent costing more than €1.000!

€150

Groceries in The Netherlands have been rising partially due to inflation. If you are looking to save as much money as possible, avoid eating out. Meals at restaurants typically range around €10 - €30 per meal

€50

Transportation via train and bus in The Netherlands is very accessible. However, it can also be very expensive. It is highly recommended to purchase a bike for €50 (or rent one €17/month).

€200

Utilities and internet is usually included in the costs of accommodations. However if it is not, you can expect to pay even more. During the winter periods, it may be more expensive due to gas costs.

Additional costs that have not been mentioned yet

If you are staying in The Netherlands for a full-degree program (3 or 4 years), it is highly recommended to purchase a SIM card. SIM cards can be as cheap as €10/month for the most basic data, calls, and SMS features. Most students spend up to €20 per month for their subscriptions which include a lot of data and unlimited SMS and calls.

Insurance for healthcare is mandatory in The Netherlands and usually, students are unaware of this until their introduction day with the universities. Students can expect to pay around €110/month for the most basic standard package. However, there are different ways to obtain a subsidy from the government to help cover these costs. To find out more, click on this link.

Books and materials are also usually overlooked by students. Most students can expect to pay anywhere between €200 and €900 per year on books and materials. To avoid paying this much, look for online PDF versions which are usually cheaper. Students can also look for secondhand books online through Marktplaats or websites that are known to sell certified used books such as BookMatch.

Furnishing your accommodation also tends to be overlooked by many students. Most student accommodations come unfurnished so furnitures such as beds, desks, and wardrobes still need to be purchased. The cheapest method to do this is by looking for secondhand items from Marktplaats. The only issue is that students have to arrange their own method for delivery. Another cheap alternative is IKEA which exists in most large cities but nonetheless has a delivery option. Students can expect to shell out anywhere from €1.000 for a fully furnished room including daily utensils.

Fitness is an important part of student life and many Dutch students take this seriously. In every city, there are many different gyms as well as health and wellbeing companies. Most of them offer a discount to students and some universities have their own gym facilities. You can expect to spend anywhere between €15 to €30 per month for a membership. Basic-Fit is by far the most common and their membership allows you to visit other branches in other cities (including cities in Belgium).

If you are looking to join a student association or organisation, then expect to pay monthly contributions. Student associations are a great way to network and build strong bonds within a tight knit community. The cost varies depending on the size of the organisation but if you are looking to be a part of a community that has very low yearly cost and participation, look out for the student organisation ESN, in your city.