LIVING COST IN NETHERLANDS

Living Cost for International Students in Netherlands

To live in Netherlands, it costs a foreign student between €700 and €1,000 a month. This is needed to cover daily expenses and to pay the rent, the registration and tuition fees.
Education in Holland is not free, but tuition fees are at reasonable levels. The annual tuition fees for enrolment on a program or course at a Dutch higher education institution differ and start at approximately € 1,470 for EU students. The costs of programs or courses for non-EU students are generally higher.
Although differences between incomes are small in the Netherlands, most students live towards the bottom of the economic ladder. If you have an average student income -- from a scholarship, for example -- you will find that one-third of it will go towards housing, and food will cost you another third.
Fortunately, most higher education institutions offer hot meals at reasonable prices. Many cities have pubs (called eetcafé’s) where you can eat cheaply and well. But the cheapest and most pleasant way to eat is to do your own cooking, perhaps together with housemates. Dutch supermarkets carry a large and international variety of products. The remaining third of your money will go towards books, transportation, and other expenses.
AccommodationIf you are taking part in an exchange program or are enrolled in an international course, it is quite possible that a room will be arranged for you. Accept it immediately, or you will regret it later!
Finding a place to live in a country as crowded as the Netherlands is not easy. It is very common for Dutch students to find their own rented rooms on the private market. These are generally unfurnished, and kitchens and bathrooms are often shared with others. If you wish, you can always try to find your own rented room once you have been here for a few months.So before you leave your own country, ask your host institution whether or not housing will be arranged for you in advance. If you are in the Netherlands and still looking for a place, ask for advice from the international relations office or the student dean. And let your fellow students know you need a room. It will be up to you to take the initiative.
InsuranceDutch law requires everyone living in the Netherlands be covered by health insurance. Students must themselves make sure that they have adequate coverage. If the insurance you have in your own country provides full cover for medical costs and legal liability while you are in the Netherlands, you should bring with you a statement (in English) detailing the insurance cover. If you do not have adequate coverage, you will have to take out a policy. The student dean at your host institution or Nuffic can provide you with more information.