Italy vs Netherlands: Which is a Better Study-Abroad Destination in 2024?

Italy and the Netherlands are among the most frequently chosen study destinations among international students. Italy is known for its sound and high-quality higher education system and houses the oldest universities in the Western world. Coming to the Netherlands, the nation offers top-notch education through its high-ranked universities. Both countries are excellent destinations, and hence, it can be daunting to choose between the two. If you are confused about which country you should choose to pursue your education, then you are at the right place. Here, we will remove all your doubts regarding Italy vs Netherlands. We will compare these countries based on numerous aspects and grant +2 points to the one which is better in a specific aspect. 

Towards the end of this article, we will tally the total scores of each country and the one with the highest points will be deemed a better study-abroad destination. 

Parameters	Italy	Netherlands
Area	301,340 KM²	41,850 KM²
Currency	Euro (€)	Euro (€)
Capital	Rome	Amsterdam
Total Higher Education Providers	97	145
Total Indian Students Studying	5,897	55
Average Cost of Living	€1,600 Per Month	€800 – €1000 Per Month
Average Cost of Studying	€400 to €4,000 Per Year	€6,000 – €20,000 Per Year
Popular Job Sectors	Marketing, Healthcare, IT, Banking, engineering, and education	IT professional, Engineering jobs, Finance sector, and Healthcare jobs.
Permitted Part-Time Working Hours	20 Hours	16 Hours Per Week

Top-Ranked Universities: Italy vs Netherlands

Italy and the Netherlands house some of the highest-ranked universities in the world. In this section, we will compare these countries based on their top universities. 

Universities in Italy

The table below shows some of the top-ranked universities in Italy:

Top Universities in  Italy	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Sapienza University of Rome	=134	181
Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna	=154	=155
University of Padua	219	201–250
University of Milan	=276	351–400
University of Naples Federico II	335	351–400
University of Pisa	=349	401–500
University of Turin	=364	401–500
University of Trento	=429	351–400
University of Florence	=358	351–400
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart	=505	301-350

Universities in the Netherlands

Take a look at some of the most prestigious universities in the Netherlands: 

Top Universities in the Netherlands	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
Delft University of Technology	47	70
University of Amsterdam	53	60
Utrecht University	107	66
Eindhoven University of Technology	124	201–250
Leiden University	126	77
University of Groningen	139	75
Wageningen University and Research Centre	151	59
Erasmus University Rotterdam	176	80
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam	207	121
University of Twente	210	251–300
Radboud University	222	139
Maastricht University	256	145
Tilburg University	371	251–300

Which Country is Better?

The above comparison shows that the universities in the Netherlands are ranked higher than the universities in Italy. Hence, we will grant +2 points to the Netherlands in this round of Italy vs Netherlands. 

Also Read: PhD in Italy

Admission Requirements: Italy vs Netherlands

Please ensure that you know the eligibility criteria for admission to the university in your desired destination. So, let’s compare Italy and the Netherlands based on how straightforward their admission requirements are. 

Admission Requirements For Italy

The admission requirements for an Italy university are given below: 

• You are required to be over 17 years old and finish high school.
• Moreover, you must submit the documents given below during your admission process:

1. Proof of financial resources
2. Proof of admission to an Italian university
3. High school diploma or equivalent transcripts for undergraduate programs
4. Language proficiency test scores (IELTS)
5. A valid passport
6. Statement of purpose
7. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent transcripts for graduate programs
8. Medical certificate and health insurance
9. Letters of recommendation
10. Curriculum vitae (CV)

Admission Requirements For the Netherlands

You must submit certain mandatory documents when applying for admission to Netherlands universities, which are given below: 

• Motivation Letter,
• GMAT (minimum 550) or GRE (minimum 310 to 330) score,
• TOEFL results (at least 550 for paper-based or 213 for internet-based) or IELTS (minimum score of 6),
• Mark sheets of Class 10, 12, and the bachelor’s degree (if applicable),
• Proof of funds,
• Results of Dutch language test Staatsexamen NT2 only for enrolment for programs in Dutch,
• The student must score a minimum of 75% in class 12, 
• Two letters of recommendation (LOR) from the employer/manager (if you have work experience),
• Portfolio (in case of students applying for art and design courses or architecture programs),
• Others (Certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities),
• Resume,
• A copy of your passport, and
• Health insurance.

Which Country is Better?

The admission criteria are straightforward in the case of both Italy and the Netherlands. Hence, we will give +2 points to both Italy and the Netherlands in this round of Italy vs Netherlands. 

Tuition Fees: Italy vs Netherlands

Don’t forget to factor in the tuition fees while choosing your study destination. So, let’s compare Italy and the Netherlands based on how affordable their education is. 

Tuition Fees in Italy

According to the websites of the universities in Italy, the average yearly tuition costs in the country are as follows: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	€900 – €4,000
Postgraduate	€400 – €3,500
Doctoral	€1,500

Tuition Fees in the Netherlands

Have a look at the average tuition costs at the universities in the Netherlands as per their websites: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	€6,000 – €15,000
Postgraduate	€8,000 – €20,000
Doctoral	€6,000 – €20,000

Which Country is Better?

The above comparison shows that Italy has a lower cost of tuition than the Netherlands. As a result, Italy will get +2 points in this round of Italy vs Netherlands. 

Living Expenses: Italy vs Netherlands

Another important consideration you must have while selecting your study destination is the cost of living. So, let’s look at the average cost of living in Italy and the Netherlands. 

Cost of Living in Italy

The living expenses in Italy as per Numbeo are shown in the table below: 

Monthly Rent	€581.36 to €1,438.80
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	€2,605.39 to €4,346.36
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	€15.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) for Transportation	€35.00
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	€238.94

Cost of Living in the Netherlands

The living expenses in the Netherlands as per Numbeo are given in the table below: 

Monthly Rent	€967.26 – €1,817.26
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	€3,669.49 – €5,044.22
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	€15
Average Transportation Cost (Monthly)	€80.95
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	€277.51

Which Country is Better?

The cost of living in Italy is lower than in the Netherlands. Hence, we will award +2 points to Italy in this round of Italy vs Netherlands. 

Also Read: Cost of Living in Italy

Work Permit and PR

If you want to work and settle abroad after graduation, then you should consider the ease of obtaining a work permit and PR in your desired country. So, let’s look at the process of getting a work permit and permanent residency in Italy and the Netherlands. 

Work Permit in Italy

Here’s how a work permit is awarded in Italy:

Eligibility Requirements for a Work Permit in Italy:

When applying for an Italian work permit, you must possess a set of supporting documents that are mandatory for an Italian visa application.

Here are some of the documents you must submit during your application process: 

1. Copy of your signed work contract,
2. The original and a copy of your Nulla Osta,
3. Completed Italian Long-Stay Visa Application form,
4. Passport pictures are in line with Italy visa photo requirements,
5. Proof of sufficient financial means,
6. Proof of accommodation in Italy,
7. Passport with at least two blank pages, valid for at least three months after the duration of your visa,
8. Proof of paid visa fee, and
9. Diplomas/other certificates.

Application Process for a Work Permit in Italy:

First of all, you must find employment in Italy. Post that, your employer will apply for a work permit at the immigration office in their respective Italian province. Then, you need to submit the documents listed above to your employer. The processing time of the Italian work permit is normally about 30 days. 

PR in Italy

You can apply for permanent residency in Italy after five years of legal stay there. Moreover, you must present a clean criminal record and have sufficient income to support yourself and any dependents you have. 

Work Permit in the Netherlands

The work permit in the Netherlands is awarded as shown below: 

Eligibility Criteria for a Work Permit in the Netherlands:

• The applicant must possess a valid employment contract with a Dutch employer.
• The employer of the candidate must demonstrate that the vacant post couldn’t be filled by a Dutch or other EU/EEA national.

In case the applicants are over 23 years old, they need to earn at least the minimum wage.  

Apply for a Netherlands Work Permit

You must apply for a visa in person at a Dutch mission, embassy, or consulate in your nation. In case you can’t do so, you can simply reach out to a Dutch mission based in another country. The Netherlands work permit typically takes about 2 weeks to 90 days to process. 

PR in the Netherlands

Non-EEA residents who stayed in the Netherlands for over 5 years can apply for a permanent residency. 

Which Country is Better?

The above comparison demonstrates that getting a work permit and PR in both Italy and the Netherlands is straightforward. Hence, both countries will receive +2 points in this round of Italy vs Netherlands. 

Average Salaries: Italy vs Netherlands

The average annual salary in Italy is around €31,500 according to Statista. On the other hand, the average yearly salary for a graduate in the Netherlands is €34,260 as per WeAreDevelopers. 

Which Country is Better?

The average salary in the Netherlands is more than in Italy. Hence, we will award +2 points to the Netherlands in this round of Italy vs Netherlands. 

Other Major Elements

Let’s look at some other significant elements one must factor in while choosing a study-abroad destination. Some other major considerations for Italy and the Netherlands are: 

Climate

Italy has a Mediterranean climate, and it experiences hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Talking about the Netherlands, the nation has a mild maritime climate. It experiences warm winters and chilly summers. Moreover, it doesn’t witness any dry seasons and has precipitation throughout the year. 

Safety

The crime levels in Italy are typically low and serious crimes such as murder are rare in the country. Similarly, the Netherlands is a very safe country. Its government even has a public alert system on terrorism and disseminates threat-level changes online and via local media.

Culture for International Students

The culture of Italy is unique and can be very distinct from what students are used to in their home country. In the case of the Netherlands, the country is renowned for being open to international students. Moreover, the Netherlands boasts a very diverse culture and its residents are known to be very kind. 

Also Read: PhD in the Netherlands

Conclusions

After tallying the total scores, we discover that both Italy and the Netherlands have received 8 points, making this contest a draw. This implies that both countries are excellent study-abroad destinations. You can be assured of a safe and bright future if you study in either of the countries. In the end, your choice depends on numerous factors like your budget, personal preference, and goals. 

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FAQs

So, this was all about Italy vs Netherlands. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.