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Are you considering to pursue your further studies in the Netherlands? Then you have reached the right place! This blog will navigate you through the cost of living in the Netherlands. Being an international aspirant and seeking education abroad, you might wonder about various facts like the quality of universities and education as well as the lifestyle over there. However, you do not need to worry about such things because Netherlands is known for its high standard of living as well as the quality of education.
The capital of Netherlands is Amsterdam and it is known for its flat landscape of canals, windmills, tulip fields, etc. Continue reading the blog to get in-depth information on the cost of living in Netherlands as well as other related details.
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Also Read: Cost of Living in Greece
Why Choose to Study in the Netherlands?
The education system of the Netherlands is accepted globally. The place is also regarded as lowlands since it is below sea level. The beauty of the Netherlands attracts students from all over the world. Talking about the reason to choose the Netherlands for acquiring higher education, there are two main reasons.
First, the high-quality education offered by the Dutch educational institutions is recognized and appreciated worldwide. Second, the cost of living in Netherlands is less compared to other English-speaking countries. This fact makes it a better choice for international students. In addition, students would get the chance to grow professionally and they could explore this beautiful country in North-western Europe.
There are a number of universities and other educational institutions that offer world-class facilities, great student culture, and highly-qualified teachers. Due to all these reasons, aspirants must choose the Netherlands for higher education.
Also Read: Universities in Netherlands
List of Top Universities in Netherlands
Following is the list of top universities in Netherlands:
| University | QS World Ranking |
| University of Amsterdam | 60th (2022-2023) |
| Wageningen University & Research | 151 (2024) |
| Delft University of Technology | #=47 (2024) |
| Leiden University | #131 (2023) |
| Utrecht University | #107 (2024) |
Cost of Living in the Netherlands
Mentioned below are the crucial components that must be considered to estimate the cost of living in Netherlands:
Accommodation Cost
The accommodation cost in the Netherlands varies according to the type of housing. Doing a part-time job would help you to manage the accommodation cost in the Netherlands. The following are lodging costs in Netherlands:
| Type of Housing | Monthly Rent (monthly) |
| Rented Apartment | For single person €419 (Single)On Sharing Basis €572 |
| Student Housing | €340 |
| Private Apartment | €700-€1000 |
Talking about student housing, almost 30% of international students live in student accommodation in the Netherlands. The above rent excludes other service charges such as initial deposit, bills such as water bill, gas bill, electricity bill, internet bill, etc. Thus, the overall rent would be higher than the above-mentioned monthly rent of the apartment.
The estimated cost of living in the Netherlands is approximately 800-1000 Euros/month. It may vary according to the lifestyle of the student.
Also Read: Best Country to Study Abroad for Indian Students in 2023
Food Cost
The cost of food in the Netherlands varies from city to city. Some big cities like Rotterdam and Amsterdam are costlier than small cities such as Groningen and Eindhoven. Besides that, it also depends upon the student’s lifestyle and finances.
Mentioned below are costs of food items in Netherlands:
| Food | Cost |
| Meal in restaurant | €15 |
| McMeal at McDonalds | €9 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | €2.54 |
| Milk (1 liter) | €1.10 |
| Rice (1 kg) | €1.87 |
| Whole Wheat Flour (1 kg) | €0.57 – €9 |
| 12 Eggs | €2.93 |
| Bread | €1.72 |
| Potato (1 kg) | €1.16 |
| Onion (1 kg) | €0.96 |
| Tomato (1 kg) | €2.87 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | €10.95 |
Also Read: MBBS in Netherlands
Transportation Cost
As a student, you must generally use public transport to save the cost of living in Netherlands. But the most favorable option is renting a bike. Renting a bike would cost you only €10 to €40 per day. Besides that, you can also purchase a second hand bike or a new bike if you could afford it.
Below are some other transportation options:
| Type of Transport | Charges |
| Single ticket of train | €4-€5 |
| Buses | €2 |
| Trams | €3-€13 |
| Metro train | €1-€3 |
| Cab | Starting from €7.5 |
| Ferries | €1 to €2 |
Utilities
The average cost of living in Netherlands is approximately equal to €800 to €1000 per month. This cost includes all the expenses of a student living alone in the Netherlands.
Let’s look at the expenses of utilities charges in Netherlands:
| Utilities | Expense |
| Basic bills like electricity, garbade, water, heating, cooling for 85m2 Apartment | €211.82 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data) | €40.22 |
| Monthly plan of mobile phone along with 10 GB data | €26.14 |
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Entertainment Cost
Living in a foreign land, no student would miss the chance to socialize and hangout with friends, make connections and get entertained.
Following are some entertainment cost that you must consider if you are planning or studying in Netherlands:
| Type of entertainment | Cost |
| 2 movie tickets | € 24 |
| 2 tickets for theater show | €107 |
| Dinner at Italian Restaurant | €73 |
Tips to Manage the Cost of Living in Netherlands
If you wish to manage the expenses while living in Netherlands, then go through the following tips:
- Get a rented or your own bike to reduce the cost of transportation.
- Cook your own food and avoid eating and paying expensive bills at restaurants. Another best option is to eat in the university cafeteria.
- Try to live in student accommodation.
Also Read: List of MBA Scholarships in Netherlands
Cost of Living in Netherlands: Comparison with Other Cities
As a student you might research the cost of living in other neighboring cities. To answer your question here is the list of nearby cities and their average cost of living for international students:
| City | Cost of Living |
| Rotterdam | € 750-1200 |
| Tilburg | € 710-1210 |
| Delft | € 775-1210 |
| The Hague | € 800-1200 |
| Utrecht | € 800-1100 |
| Amsterdam | € 800-1450 |
FAQs
The average cost of living in Netherlands is €800 to €1000 per month. The expense completely depends on the lifestyle of a person. One can afford to live in the Netherlands by managing the expenses smartly through planning and budgeting.
If we compare India and the Netherlands, then obviously the Netherlands will rank higher. But in comparison to english-speaking countries, the Netherlands is affordable. Additionally, top universities and educational institutions offer globally recognized degrees which makes it a favorable destination for Indian students.
As per an estimate, you would need to earn a net salary of €1,900 per month to live comfortably in most Dutch cities.
This concludes the information regarding the Cost of Living in Netherlands. If you have further questions or need assistance with your study abroad journey, reach out at 1800 57 2000 or connect with our team of experts at Leverage Edu. We are here to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for you.
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