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Dutch Phone Number & Data
Let’s be honest, we are all addicted to our phones in some way. Imagine moving to the Netherlands and needing Wi-Fi to look up simple things like directions, opening times, or messaging your parents that you have arrived. First of all: Should you get a Dutch phone number? Long-term, we recommend getting a Dutch…
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Public transport
Commuting within the Netherlands can be a costly expense. This article will guide you through the different modes of transportation, how to pay there, and what we recommend for a regular commute, allowing you to save some money. In the Netherlands, almost all transport is paid per kilometer instead of per ticket. That means…
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Getting started
Just thinking about studying in the Netherlands? Here are some simple steps that can help you figure out what you want.
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Health insurance
Being insured is not just a good thing to be; it is actually mandatory for both non-EU and EU/EEA students. Knowing what insurance to choose and understanding the Dutch healthcare system is important. Student Insurance Now this sounds like the go-to solution for all students. However, it is targeted at non-EU/EEA students and is…
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Helpful resources
There are many places on the internet where you can find more information regarding studying in the Netherlands. We have compiled a list of pages we find especially helpful: Join our Discord server! We have a community of prospective and current students on Discord. You are invited to join and ask all the questions…
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Benefits (Toeslagen)
There are several benefits given to low-income residents. Since most students don’t make a lot of money, you are likely to be eligible for these. Yes, non-EU students can also qualify! Housing allowance (Huurtoeslag) This allowance subsidizes rent for people renting a whole unit (e.g., an apartment, studio, or house) and not just a…
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The Dutch language
The Netherlands currently has three official languages: Dutch, Fries (only spoken in the province of Friesland), and Dutch Sign Language. Dutch is by far the most common used. Do I have to learn Dutch? It is not expected by the majority of the population for foreigners to speak Dutch, and it is unlikely that…
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Registering with the municipality (BSN)
BSN = Burgerservicenummer (Citizen Service Number) You need a BSN when dealing with the government, your doctor, tax offices, and more. You also need it to start a job, open a bank account, and apply for basic health insurance. Gemeente (Municipality) = The local government organization responsible for you. Legally, you are required to…
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Opening a bank account
Do I need a bank account? We use the Euro in the Netherlands and in many other European countries. If you are from a Euro country, you can most likely use your local bank card and account for however long you wish. However, there are still advantages to getting a Dutch bank account (see…
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Ways to finance your studies
Tuition fees Studying costs money. You can see the tuition fees below. These are the same for all public HBO and WO universities and rise every year. Academic year 2025/26 (full-time) EU/EEA nationals pursuing their first (Dutch) diploma of this type Non-EU nationals 2600 EUR/year 9000-25000 EUR/year depending on the institution There are exceptions…