Cost of Living in Amsterdam for International Students 2024

Studying overseas might seem to be a very captivating option for every student. Applying at your dream college, immersing in the plethora of opportunities, accelerating your career prospects and much more. But one hurdle every study abroad aspirant stumbles upon is the cost of living. Despite the apparent expense of tuition fees, many other expenses must be factored into your budget. This blog will help you through the cost of living in Amsterdam, from accommodation to tuition fees and everything else, to help you prepare for your much-awaited journey to the Amsterdam standard of living and learning!

Study in Amsterdam

Despite the picturesque landscape and quintessential tourist destinations, Amsterdam is home to one of the highest-ranked universities in Europe. Besides its scintillating academic status, its multicultural environment also provides the students with an opportunity to interact with people from different walks of life. Even though it is a Dutch-speaking country, universities in Amsterdam offer high-level programs in the English language, which makes it an attractive destination for international students.

Cost of Living in Amsterdam for International Students

In general, international students can expect the cost of living in Amsterdam to be around EUR 800-1200/month. Let us explore the types of expenses that make up the average cost of living in Amsterdam, from food to transportation, and what other things you need to spend on to study at this highly sought-after study destination!

Type of Expense	Average Cost
Accommodation	EUR 750 – 3000/month
Food	EUR 200 – 300/month
Utilities	EUR 75 – 175/month
Transportation	EUR 35 – 70/month
Internet	EUR 30 – 50/month
Miscellaneous	Depends on the person; roughly

Accommodation

Accommodation in Amsterdam is expensive. Not to forget, the additional costs of food, electricity, gas etc. If you are an international student, you are likely to be offered a room by the university, depending on your course. The cost of accommodation depends upon where and how the student chooses to live. Usually, they have an option to live on campus or off campus. Here are some viable options available to students in the capital of the Netherlands:

Accommodation	Monthly Rent
Room or flat (shared)	EUR 250-500
Private Studio	EUR 400-750
Private Apartment	EUR 750-3000

On campus, the university provides hostel dormitory services that are usually included in the total tuition fees. If you are looking for low-cost accommodations, then living on campus is the best option for you because the prices are lower as compared to privately rented flats or rooms. 

Off-campus housing costs also vary according to the type of accommodation. The average monthly rent of living in Amsterdam for a single student varies from EUR 500-1000. Renting your own private space would cost about EUR 660 and if you are sharing the accommodation with a colleague or classmate, it will cost you around EUR 495. There’s also another option for a hotel stay that will cost about EUR 65 per night for a decent hotel, but it is not exactly economical if you are planning to stay long-term.

Food

This will largely depend on your type of accommodation. On-campus housing services usually provide food and meals that are included in the monthly tariff. If you are living in your own privately rented space, then there will be an added expense of groceries and take-out meals. The following table gives a brief account of food expenses, per person:

Item	Amount
Groceries (monthly)	About EUR 180/month
Fast food combo meals, McDonalds	EUR 8
Pizza joint	EUR 10
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	EUR 15
Meal, Mid-range Restaurant	EUR 75

Travel

Travel expenditure is also an integral part of the cost of living in Amsterdam. The country has an extensive public transport system including buses, metros trams, etc, that runs all through the city. On average, the cost of travel for a student would be around EUR 88/month. This also varies depending on the distance between your location and the university. If you travel by taxi, then the basic tariff for 8-10 km would be EUR 25. 

Lifestyle

Apart from the essential expenses like food, travel, house rent, etc, you should also consider the expenses on leisure and utilities while calculating the cost of living in Amsterdam. These costs vary from student to student and depend on your personal preferences. You’ll require some extra pocket money for leisure and entertainment purposes, for example, going out with friends for drinks or coffee, movie theatre, museums, other sightseeing destinations, etc. These expenses can range anywhere from EUR 50-150, depending on how much you are willing to spend.

Miscellaneous

There are a lot of other trivial expenses that need to be kept in mind. These can be anything from books and study material to laundry detergent or mobile data packs. The following list mentions some of these miscellaneous expenses that should also be included while calculating the cost of living in Amsterdam:

Item	Amount
Internet recharge (1 month)	€31
Laundry detergent	€9
Clothes	Around €60-100
Hygiene and medicine supplies	€50
Books and study material	€30 – 65
Average cost of utilities	€100 – 230

Tips to Manage Cost of Living in Amsterdam

Here are some of the tips that will help you manage your cost of living in Amsterdam:

• It is more cost-friendly to live on-campus in the hostel or dormitory facilities provided by the university. Most universities in Amsterdam offer temporary accommodation to international students to help them settle first. Thus, foreign students are recommended to contact their respective universities to enquire about their accommodation programs.
• Many places, such as bars, restaurants, museums, and cinemas, offer special discounts to students. It is always beneficial to keep your ID card with you at all times to submit as proof to avail of these student discounts. Foreign students can also acquire an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) that will allow them to avail themselves of a range of interesting discounts and offers.
• Traversing on bikes or cycles is pretty common in Amsterdam. You can rent a cycle for as little as €10/per day. Renting a cycle can save you a lot of money. And not to mention, the added benefit of getting in some physical exercise!
• While renting a private space, don’t forget to check whether the apartment is furnished or unfurnished and how much you will have to pay for additional utilities every month. You are also required to submit a small amount as a security deposit that will be deducted accordingly if you cause any damage to the house. You can get this amount back at the end of your tenancy.

FAQs

This was all the relevant information regarding the cost of living in Amsterdam for international students. Do not forget, it is always better to plan your budget to avoid unnecessary spending. Planning to study abroad? Get in touch with our Leverage Edu experts and we will guide you throughout the whole process while also taking care of other essentials like scholarships, accommodation and more! Sign up for a free session with us now!