Dutch tuition has two price lists. Which one you pay depends on your nationality and on whether you already hold a similar degree from a government-funded Dutch institution. Getting this wrong by one category is the difference between about €2,700 and several times that.
The statutory fee
The statutory fee (wettelijk collegegeld) is €2,694 for the academic year 2026-2027, per DUO and Study in NL. You pay it if you meet all of these on the start date of your enrolment (DUO's wording is more detailed, and this is the short version):
- You are enrolled in a government-funded programme at a university or university of applied sciences.
- You do not yet hold a bachelor's degree from a government-funded programme if you are enrolling for another bachelor's, or a master's degree if you are enrolling for another master's (the same goes for associate degrees).
- You have Dutch nationality or that of another EU/EEA country. Study in NL adds Switzerland and Suriname to the list of eligible nationalities.
One number to be careful with: Nuffic’s 2026 fact sheet quotes €2,684 for 2026/27, while DUO and Study in NL both say €2,694. DUO is the body that sets out the fee rules, so we use €2,694.
The institutional fee
If you do not meet the conditions for the statutory fee, you pay the institutional fee (instellingscollegegeld). DUO says it is usually higher than the statutory fee and that some institutions set the amount themselves. For students from outside the EU/EEA, Study in NL gives averages:
| Level | Average institutional fee |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | €9,000 to €20,000 |
| Master's | €12,000 to €30,000 |
These are averages as of October 2026. The exact fee is on each programme page, and that is the figure to budget with.
Fees you might not expect
Some institutions charge an application or handling fee of €75 to €100 to non-EEA students or students with no earlier Dutch education. Some refund it when you enrol (Study in NL).
Why a second degree can cost more
Because the statutory fee applies only if you do not already hold a degree of the same type from a funded programme, an EU/EEA student who already has a Dutch master's will generally pay the institutional fee for another master's. Ask the institution, or use the questions in My DUO, before you assume which fee applies to you.
Scholarships do not always cover everything
Some scholarships cover only part of the tuition. Check each award's wording: our scholarships guide explains which ones pay tuition and which ones pay living costs.
Sources
Opened and checked on 5 October 2026. Figures that change from year to year are marked "as of October 2026"; check the source before you rely on them.