The Cost Of Living In Netherlands For International Students

International students may find living costs the most difficult in the Netherlands. Student housing in the Netherlands is affordable depending on the city. However, Dutch housing costs have risen in recent years, making it difficult to obtain inexpensive housing in core Dutch cities.

Netherlands room rentals average 300–600 EUR per month. The house rent includes certain extra charges. Most times you must make an early deposit to return the rental. Electricity, water, garbage, gas, and internet expenses may be included in your rent. This blog outlines the cost of living in the Netherlands.

Overview of Living Expenses in Netherlands for International Students

Average living expenses vary by country. Monthly expenses in Holland (Netherlands) include food, transportation, housing, books, clothes, and leisure. Student living costs in the Netherlands range from €8,000 to €1,200 per month.

Some Dutch universities provide on-campus housing and help students find off-campus housing. To estimate monthly living expenditures in the Netherlands, let’s review some general expenses.

Factors and Average Living Cost in Netherlands Per Month(EUR)

1. Accommodation:

• Single Apartment: €500 – €1,000
• Shared Apartment: €400 – €700
• Student Houses: €350- €600

2. Transportation:

• €35 – €70

3. Food:

• €150 – €170

4. Internet:

• €30 –€ 50

5. Miscellaneous

• €100 – €230

Let us now get into detail and know some essential monthly expenses in the Netherlands for international students.

Cost of Accommodation in Netherlands

According to Mercer’s 2021 cost of living report, the Dutch capital ranks 44th in the Netherlands. The monthly expenses in the Netherlands are determined by the city in which you study, the rent, and the pre-arrangements made by the university. The cost of living in the Netherlands can range between €400 and €800 per month.

Let’s go over each accommodation option for living in the Netherlands in depth.

• On Campus Accommodation

The university provides this sort of lodging since “hostel dormitory services” are frequently included in the total tuition fees. The closeness to university buildings is a benefit of staying on campus. It also provides a comfortable setting for international students, who can use the library café and interact with other students and the local residents. Furthermore, students who live on campus can participate in a variety of social activities, hang out in campus locations, and so on.

• Off- Campus Accommodation

The majority of international students in the Netherlands live in student homes, which are privately owned houses designed to house 3 to 6 people. And the cost varies depending on the type of housing selected by the student. Rent in shared houses is often between 300 and 450 EUR per month, depending on three factors: location, size, and furnishing. It might potentially reach 800 EUR or more in Amsterdam and lower in smaller cities.

• University Housing

Many universities in the Netherlands do not have on-campus housing. They instead provide student accommodation through various housing organizations. However, the pricing and facilities are similar to privately owned ones. The advantage of this accommodation option for international students is that they can meet other students and immediately expand their social circle.

• Dormitories and Included in Tuition fee (EUR)
• Private Owned Houses – €1,000/ month
• Shared Apartments – €400 – €700/ month
• Student Houses – €350 – €600/month

Cost of Transportation in the Netherlands

Buses, metros, trams, and more run throughout the city. Monthly student travel costs average 88 EUR (INR 7,800). Distance from the university also affects it. You can also rent a bike around town for cheap transportation. Showing your student I-Card gets you public transit savings.

Below are international student transportation costs in the Netherlands:

Factor and Average Cost

• Rented Bikes – €50 – 150
• Train Ticket (Single Fare) – €4- 5
• Trams (Buses) – €3 – 13
• Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new – €26,544
• 1 litre (1/4 gallon) of gas – €1.74

Cost of Food & Drinks in the Netherlands

Monthly fees for on-campus living include meals. Groceries and takeout will cost more if you rent privately. Due to their style of living and other amenities, some cities are more costly than others. Rotterdam and Amsterdam are more expensive than Groningen and Eindhoven for eating and shopping.

Check out the Netherlands international students’ daily expenses.

Items and Cost Price (EUR)

• Fast food combo meals, McDonalds – €8
• Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant – €10 – €30
• Apples (1Kg) – €2.46
• Oranges (1 Kg) – €1.39
• Milk (1 litre) – €0.99
• Groceries (monthly) – €85/ person
• Pizza Joint – 10 EUR
• Coffee – 3 EUR

Cost of Healthcare in the Netherlands

The healthcare system in the Netherlands is excellent and is supported by a mandatory insurance policy. This mandatory Dutch health insurance is required for both EU and non-EU official residents. On average, Dutch households will pay 125 EUR per month for their “base insurance,” which includes a 385 EUR annual deductible. However, increasing your yearly deductible to 885 EUR will increase your monthly health insurance payments in the Netherlands by 85 to 91 EUR.

Treatment and Cost (EUR)

• Health Screening – €1,000 – €1,600
• Average inpatient treatment – €500 – €1,200
• Simple onsite treatment (bandaging, vaccination etc) – €40 – €80
• Childbirth – €3,190

Important Note:

If you are working in the Netherlands during your studies, whether it is a paid internship, part-time job, or volunteer work for which you are salaried, you will be covered by the Wlz scheme, which means you will need to purchase Dutch health insurance.

Tips to Manage Cost of Living in Netherlands

Some simple tips can help international students manage their living expenses in the Netherlands. The following pointers are:

• Rent

Housing accommodation is vital for international students because it consumes the majority of their cash. When renting a private space, keep in mind if the apartment is furnished or unfurnished, as well as how much money you will need to pay for additional utilities each month. In the Netherlands, rent for a shared apartment or a student housing building ranges between 400 and 600 EUR a month.

• Transportation

When visiting the Netherlands, you can get a ticket for a few hours or a whole day. In Amsterdam, for example, a 1-hour ticket costs 3.20 EUR, while a day pass costs 8.50 EUR. The greatest approach to save money when traveling, though, is to purchase a public transport card. This allows you to use all kinds of public transportation in the Netherlands. A customised or anonymous card costs 7.50 EUR. The modified card will let you use additional products, such as public hire bikes at all Dutch stations and discounts outside of rush hour.

• Groceries

Apart from your rent, the most important factor is food & groceries that you need to pay monthly. To save the cost of groceries, you can go to farmer’s markets, discount supermarkets, and many others. And if you are not so fond of cooking, the best option is to grab a meal from the university cafeteria as they offer food that ranges between 5 – 8 EUR.

• Scholarships in Netherlands

Scholarships are offered for international student from a variety of backgrounds, taking into account their home country, financial status, and academic qualifications. Scholarship programs are available in the Netherlands from both the government and universities. Students can reduce the cost of living in the Netherlands by obtaining a scholarship to fund and support their education and stay in Holland.

• Student ID Card

Your University ID card is an acceptable form of identification. You can avail many discounts by showing the ID card at museums, restaurants, etc. Aside from savings, searching for a part-time job or an internship will also support you in handling the cost of living in the Netherlands.

Cost of Living in Netherlands: A Comparison of Cities

It is critical to examine these differences while deciding where to study and live in this wonderful country. The Netherlands is a small country, but it is one of the most densely populated in the world. That brings a diversified population and culturally vibrant cities. International students can study in the following cities in the Netherlands:

City and Average Cost of living (EUR)

• The Hague – €800 – €1,200 per month
• Tilburg – €715 – €1,215 per month
• Amsterdam – €1000 – €1,500 per month
• Delft – €780 – €1,200 per month
• Utrecht – €800 – €1,400 per month
• Rotterdam – 760 – 1,250 EUR/per month

To manage the cost of living in the Netherlands for Indian students, the expected costs to spend and live in the Netherlands should be calculated. And the lifestyle you desire before relocating to the country.

FAQs

What is the average cost of living in Netherlands?

• The average cost of living in the Netherlands is around 863.56 EUR without rent.

Is Netherlands safe to live for international students?

• Netherlands is a safe country to live in presently; it ranks as the 21st most harmless country in the world according to the 2021 World’s Safest Country index.

Does people in Netherlands speak English?

• The English language is spoken by the immense majority of the population in the Netherlands, with estimates of English proficiency reaching between 90% to 93% of the Dutch people.