Study in the Netherlands

For study stays longer than 90 days, an MVV (provisional residence permit) entry visa is generally required for non-EU/EEA nationals, depending on nationality. Nationalities exempt from the MVV requirement include Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Vatican City, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Korea, Switzerland and EU/EEA member states. The recognised Dutch educational institution normally submits the application on your behalf.

The 2026 IND study norm is EUR 1,130.77 per month, or EUR 13,569.24 for 12 months, excluding tuition/college fees. This is the official immigration financial requirement for the study residence permit, not an estimate of average living costs.

For 2026-27 the statutory tuition fee is EUR 2,694 per year for eligible students, including applicable EU/EEA/Swiss and Surinamese students. Non-EU/EEA institutional tuition is set by each institution and typically ranges from EUR 9,000 to EUR 20,000 per year for Bachelor's and EUR 12,000 to EUR 30,000 per year for Master's programmes.

Statutory tuition (wettelijk collegegeld) is the government-set annual fee for eligible students under the statutory regime, EUR 2,694 for 2026-27. Institutional tuition (instellingscollegegeld) is set by each institution and typically applies to non-EU/EEA students, ranging from about EUR 9,000 to EUR 20,000 for Bachelor's and EUR 12,000 to EUR 30,000 for Master's programmes.

EU/EEA/Swiss students may work freely. Non-EU/EEA students with a study residence permit normally need a work permit (TWV) applied for by the employer and must choose either a maximum of 16 hours per week during the study period or full-time work during June, July and August. An internship that is part of the study programme can have different work-permit treatment.

The Orientation Year (zoekjaar) is a one-year residence permit for eligible highly educated graduates and researchers, giving free access to the Dutch labour market without an employer work permit. Application is generally within three years of the qualifying graduation or qualification, and the permit can provide a route toward other residence categories where the holder meets their requirements. Not every graduate automatically qualifies.

Yes. Students in the Netherlands for study purposes only are generally not eligible for Dutch public health insurance and must hold adequate private or home-country insurance. Once a student begins working in the Netherlands, they become subject to Dutch public health-insurance requirements.

Research universities (WO) are academic and research-oriented, offering Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programmes. Universities of applied sciences (HBO) offer practice-oriented higher professional education at Associate, Bachelor's and Master's level.