Study in NL says students spend an average of €1,000 to €1,500 a month. That is a wide range, and most of the difference is where you live and how you eat. Here are the building blocks it gives.
The Nibud monthly overview (2024)
| Item | Per month |
|---|---|
| Rent | €561 |
| Groceries | €244 |
| Study books and materials | €41 |
| Transportation | €67 |
| Leisure and sports | €239 |
| Basic Dutch health insurance (only when working in NL) | €133 |
That is a 2024 source, so allow for price rises. Add up the rows: with insurance it comes to €1,285, without it €1,152. Both fall inside Study in NL's range, though a figure from 2024 is not a promise for your year.
Rent is the swing factor
Study in NL says an average room costs somewhere between €450 and €1,000 a month depending on the city, what the rent includes and the arrangements made by your institution. Amsterdam is more expensive than smaller towns such as Enschede. See our housing guide for how to find a room.
Everyday prices Study in NL gives
- A cup of coffee or tea in a café: €3.00
- A cheese sandwich: €4.00
- Dinner in a typical student restaurant: €12.50
- A single bus fare in the city: around €2
Cooking at home is the cheapest way to eat, per the same page. Hot meals at higher education institutions are reasonably priced. A 40% discount card for train tickets outside rush hour is available. The same page describes cycling as an easy and cheap way to get around town.
Tuition is on top
None of this includes tuition. For the fee lists, see the tuition guide. If you need a residence permit, the IND also sets its own monthly study norm, €1,130.77 for 2026 as of October 2026. That is a legal requirement for the permit, not a budget.
Student discounts
Many bars, restaurants, museums and cinemas give student discounts and usually ask for proof such as your institution's student card. The International Student Identity Card can also give discounts on travel, shopping and museums.
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.