Cost of living and working

• An indication of likely monthly expenses

Some students manage to spend less, but this of course depends on your own lifestyle. By way of indication (not including tuition fees):
- Accommodation: €400 - €750
- Living expenses (food etc.): €325 - €400
- Insurance: €75
- Public transport: €60
- Books and printing: €30
- Other costs (clothing etc.): €100

• Working while studying

You cannot count on finding a source of additional income after you arrive and, unless you are from an EU member state, your opportunities to work are restricted. If you are a non-EU student, under Dutch law you are only permitted to work a maximum of 10 hours per week if you have a work permit.

• How many hours am I allowed to work in the Netherlands? 

If you hold a passport from a country that belongs to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, then you are permitted to work in the Netherlands without limitation. If this is not the case, then you are only permitted to work a maximum of 10 hours per week averaged over the year or full-time during the summer months (June, July, August). Your employer will also be required to apply for a work permit.

• Do I have to pay income tax if I work in the Netherlands? 

Under Dutch law, everyone who works in the Netherlands is obliged to pay income tax to the Dutch government. However, the rules may be different if you are already paying income tax in your home country and that country has signed a treaty with the Netherlands that income tax is only to be paid in one of the two countries. All EU member states have signed such a treaty.

• What does the Dutch government do for international students working in the Netherlands? 

The Dutch government has a comprehensive system of social security, insurance and tax measures related to working in the Netherlands.

More information can be found on the Nuffic website Working while studying. There is also a factsheet on international students and part-time jobs (PDF).