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Netherlands

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At a glance

Living index rating
Expensive
Monthly rent
€450 – €800 for a room (Amsterdam €650 – €1,200); housing is scarce, so start early
Monthly food
€200 – €300
Other monthly expenses
€200 – €400 (Dutch health insurance if working, transport, phone, personal)
Visa processing time
About 2 – 8 weeks; the IND has up to 90 days to decide
Family allowed for students
Limited

Visa requirements

  • Student residence permit (and an MVV entry visa if your nationality needs one), applied for by your university as your sponsor with the IND
  • Admission to a full-time programme at a recognised institution
  • Proof of funds: €1,130.77 a month for living costs in 2026 (about €13,569 a year), plus tuition
  • TB test after arrival for some nationalities
  • Work up to 16 hours a week or full-time in June – August only, with a work permit (TWV) that your employer applies for

Work permit after studies

  • Orientation Year (zoekjaar hoogopgeleiden): 12 months to live and work in the Netherlands without a work permit after graduating
  • Apply within 3 years of finishing your degree; also open to graduates of top-200 universities abroad
  • During the orientation year you can move to a highly skilled migrant permit at a reduced salary threshold

Citizenship route

  • Permanent residence after 5 years of continuous residence; time as a student only counts for half
  • Naturalisation after 5 years of residence, with a civic integration exam in Dutch (the language level is being raised from A2 to B1)
  • You usually have to give up your other nationality
  • The government has proposed raising the naturalisation period to 10 years; check the latest status

Family details

  • Bachelor's and master's students can bring a partner and children if they meet the income requirement as sponsor
  • Partners of students aren't allowed to work on that residence permit
  • PhD candidates employed by a university are treated as workers, so their family members can work

Universities in the Netherlands

Top-ranked

All other universities and colleges (88), A–Z

This guide is for general information. Visa and immigration rules change often, so always check the official government website before you apply. Last updated 6 October 2026.