Studying in the Netherlands as an international student: costs, visa and work rules (2026)
In the Netherlands, tuition at a public university is €13k to €22k for a master’s and €9k to €20k for a bachelor’s. For the student visa you must show €1,130.77 / mo, you can work 16 h / wk while studying, and you can stay 12 months after graduating.
✓ Last checked against official sources: 14 Oct 2026. Every figure links to the government body or university that sets it. No school pays to appear here.
Costs
| Item | Master’s (1 year) | Bachelor’s (3 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, public university | €13k to €22kEst., varies by program | €9k to €20kAverage range, varies by programme |
| Tuition, private or top-ranked | €20k+Est. | €20k+Est. |
| Money to show for the visa | €1,130.77 / mo2026 amount | |
| Health insurance | About €1,000 a year (estimate) | |
| Visa and permit fees | About €300, once (estimate) | |
| Total* | ≈ €27,800 | ≈ €87,500 |
*Diplonaut estimate at a public university: the lower tuition figure + the money you must show for the visa (a floor for living costs, not a budget) + health insurance, for the whole degree, plus visa fees once. Tuition ranges are estimates: each university publishes its own fees. Dutch tuition ranges are estimates; universities publish their own fees.
Visa and entry
| Your passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| EU, EEA or Swiss | No visa or permit |
| United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, South Koreaand some other passports | No entry visa (MVV) needed: your university applies for your residence permit |
| Most other countries | Entry visa (MVV) and residence permit, filed by your university |
Work rights
- While studying: 16 h / wk (Full time in summer).
- After graduating: 12 months (Orientation year, no sponsor needed).
Will my degree from the Netherlands be recognized?
A Dutch degree is recognized when the program is accredited by NVAO, the Dutch-Flemish accreditation body. Some private institutions offer accredited programs, others don’t.
Check an institution: NVAO accreditation database
For a bachelor’s: Research-university bachelor’s take 3 years; universities of applied sciences take 4. Your diploma must match Dutch pre-university level (VWO), or HAVO for applied sciences; otherwise extra qualifications may be needed.
By field of study
- No field yet (undecided): English-taught Liberal Arts & Sciences university colleges (selective) let you build your own course mix (for example University College Utrecht). You must earn at least 50% of each year’s credits, and changing institution must be reported to the IND.
- Medicine or dentistry: The medicine bachelor’s is taught in Dutch with a fixed number of places and selection; Maastricht’s English-taught track is discontinued from 2026–27.
- Art, design or music: Conservatories admit by entrance exam: online pre-selection, audition and theory test (for example the Royal Conservatoire The Hague; non-EU: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80).
Recent official changes for Netherlands
- No rule change for Netherlands has been tracked in the last months. See all changes by country.
Compare Netherlands
See the Netherlands next to the other destinations, adjusted to your passport, degree level and field.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in the Netherlands?
Tuition at a public university is €13k to €22k a year for a master’s and €9k to €20k for a bachelor’s. With the money you must show for the visa and health insurance, a 1-year master’s comes to about €27,800 in total (Diplonaut estimate).
How much money do I need to show for a student visa in the Netherlands?
€1,130.77 / mo (2026 amount).
Can I work while studying in the Netherlands?
Yes: 16 h / wk (Full time in summer).
Can I stay in the Netherlands after graduating?
12 months (Orientation year, no sponsor needed).
Other destinations
Official sources
- IND: required amounts 2026
- IND: MVV exemptions
- Study in NL: tuition fees
- Study in NL: bachelor’s degrees
- IND: orientation year (bachelor’s graduates included)
- NVAO accreditation database
- Utrecht University: University College Utrecht
- IND: studying at a university
- University of Groningen: Medicine
- Royal Conservatoire The Hague: apply
Information, not legal or immigration advice.