Living Cost in the Netherlands | Expenses for International Students

Groceries in the Netherlands are reasonably priced compared with many Western European countries, but dining out frequently can quickly inflate your budget.

Grocery shopping

Students spend about €150–€250 per month on groceries. The Nuffic survey reports average groceries at €138 per month. Costs vary by diet: if you cook simple meals and shop at discount supermarkets like Lidl, Aldi or Dirk, you can keep grocery costs at the lower end. For a typical shopping basket, HousingAnywhere notes that 1 L of milk costs €1.23, a loaf of bread €1.35, a dozen eggs €3.75 and a kilogram of cheese around €13. Fresh produce markets (e.g., Albert Cuypmarkt in Amsterdam, Markt in Rotterdam) often offer seasonal fruits and vegetables at lower prices.

Eating out and campus cafeterias

Meal prices in student cafeterias range from €4–€7 for a hot meal. Casual restaurants charge €8–€15 for lunch and €15–€25 for dinner. Fast food and takeaway options (e.g., kebab, fried snacks) are inexpensive but should not replace healthy meals. Many restaurants offer student discounts if you present your university ID or an ISIC card.

Tips for saving on food

• Cook in batches and freeze portions to save time and money.
• Buy a meal plan if your university offers one; this often includes a discount on cafeteria meals.
• Share cooking with housemates or friends – shopping in bulk reduces individual costs.
• Explore food co‑ops and organic stores for discounted produce near closing time.

Housing is the largest expense for most international students. Limited supply in popular cities means you need to start searching early and be prepared for higher prices, especially in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam. Here are some common accommodation options:

Student housing (rooms in student residences)

Most universities offer furnished rooms in student residences, typically €450–€700 per month. These rooms are often arranged through the university’s housing agency or external providers such as DUWO or SSH. While availability is limited, student housing is convenient because rent usually includes utilities and internet. According to Nuffic, an average student room costs €561 per month, but in major cities like Amsterdam it can reach €650–€1,200. In Rotterdam, university‑affiliated housing ranges €475–€1,000.

Private rental (studios and apartments)

If you prefer more space or privacy, you can rent a studio or apartment, but expect significantly higher costs. HousingAnywhere’s 2025 rent report shows that the national average rent for a room is €601; studios average €816 and one‑bedroom apartments €1,036. Larger cities command higher rents: in Amsterdam a studio costs around €1,535 and an apartment €2,500. Rotterdam’s studios average €1,025 and apartments €1,950, while Utrecht’s apartments average €1,993.

Rooms outside the Randstad (e.g., Enschede, Wageningen, Leeuwarden) average €351–€425, making these cities more affordable. In Eindhoven, the technical university estimates student housing at €450–€1,000. HousingAnywhere’s report notes that Dutch rents increased slightly in 2025 (0.5–5% depending on city), so factor annual increases into your budget.

Hidden costs: deposits, registration and bills

Most landlords require a deposit equal to one or two months’ rent. You may also need to pay an administration fee to housing agencies. Utilities (electricity, gas, water) are often included for student rooms but not for private rentals. Expect to pay about €200 per month for utilities, and note that energy prices may fluctuate seasonally. When renting privately, ensure you register with the municipality to obtain your BSN (citizen service number), which is required for opening a bank account and obtaining health insurance.

Tips for finding accommodation

• Start early: University housing fills quickly; apply as soon as you receive your admission letter. If you miss the deadline, platforms like HousingAnywhere, Kamernet and Pararius list rooms and apartments.
• Beware of scams: Do not pay deposits before viewing the accommodation or signing a legitimate contract. Use established housing platforms or university‑vetted providers.

Consider smaller cities: Rents in cities such as Groningen, Wageningen and Enschede are much lower than in Amsterdam or Utrecht, and commuting by train is possible thanks to the Netherlands’ compact geography.

For most international students, the cost of living in the Netherlands falls between €1,000 and €1,500 per month, depending on the city and personal lifestyle. Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education, analysed typical student spending and calculated that students spend an average of €1,000–1,500 per month, which includes rent (€561), groceries (€138), study materials (€53), transport (€79), leisure (€228) and Dutch health insurance (~€134). Housing costs vary widely across cities; rooms can cost anywhere from €450 to €1,000 per month, and this single factor usually has the biggest influence on your budget. University cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht tend to be on the higher end, while smaller cities such as Groningen or Eindhoven are more affordable.

Cost estimates also depend on your nationality. Students from the European Union (EU/EEA) pay the statutory tuition fee of €2,530 per year for 2024‑25 (rising to €2,601 for 2025‑26), whereas non‑EU/EEA students pay institutional fees that vary by programme, often €10,000–€20,000 per year. Private universities can charge €7,000–€70,000 per year. These fees are typically separate from living costs.

Typical Monthly Budget Breakdown

The table below summarizes typical monthly expenses for a student living in the Netherlands in 2024/25. Keep in mind that your personal costs will depend on lifestyle choices and housing type.

The sections below explore each category in more detail, including city‑specific differences, tips for saving money and references to official resources.