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NL Scholarship FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the NL Scholarship enough to study in the Netherlands?

No. It is €5,000 one-time against €18,000–45,000 in total first-year costs — it covers about 11–28% of one year. You need university-specific scholarships, home-country grants, part-time work and/or savings. See Alternatives and Living Costs .

Q: What happened to the Orange Tulip Scholarship?

It ended in 2024. Nuffic closed its international offices and discontinued the programme. It no longer exists, and any website still listing it is outdated. Some previously available scholarships may still exist as standalone university programmes. See Alternatives .

Q: Is the Netherlands becoming less welcoming to international students?

The political landscape has shifted. Under the revised WIB bill published on 5 October 2026, programmes would be taught in Dutch by default unless another language adds clear value, and institutions would steer international intake through numerus fixus. It is not yet in force. Some English-taught programmes are already switching to Dutch. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come, but go in with realistic expectations.

Q: Can I work while studying in the Netherlands?

EU/EEA: no restrictions, unlimited hours, no permit needed. Working 56+ hours a month unlocks DUO student finance (a basic grant plus a supplementary grant of up to €491.08 a month in 2026, and free public transport). Non-EU: a maximum of 16 hours a week (full-time in June–August). Your employer needs a TWV work permit from UWV, which can take up to 5 weeks (there is no government fee). Many employers refuse for part-time work. Self-employment (ZZP) is an alternative — no TWV needed. See During Studies .

Q: Is health insurance mandatory? Which type do I need?

Yes, mandatory. Non-EU, study only: private insurance at €30–60 a month. Non-EU and working: you must switch to the public basisverzekering (€130–159 a month, €385 deductible) within 4 months. EU: EHIC for study only, public insurance if working 56+ hours a month (zorgtoeslag offsets most of the cost). See Health Insurance .

Q: What’s the cheapest city to study in?

Enschede (University of Twente): €350–450 a month rent. Groningen : €400–550 a month, with a vibrant student culture. Eindhoven : €400–550 a month, with strong tech-industry connections. Most expensive: Amsterdam (€600–1,200+ a month). See Living Costs .

Q: What is the 30% ruling?

A tax benefit for highly skilled migrants: 30% of gross salary is paid tax-free . From 1 January 2027 the maximum drops to 27% ; the earlier plan to phase it down to 20% and then 10% was scrapped. On a €50,000 salary it saves roughly €5,000–7,000 a year. You must have lived 150+ km from the Dutch border for 16 of the 24 months before employment. See During Studies .

Q: Is the housing crisis really that bad?

Yes. There is a 20,000+ student room shortage and a 3–5 year wait in Amsterdam. Universities have told students to defer. Scams grew from 1.4% to 9.3% of fraud reports. Start searching the day you get your admission letter, never pay before visiting, and use SSH, DUWO and Room.nl. See the Housing guide .

Q: Do I need to speak Dutch?

Not for your studies. There are 2,100+ English-taught programmes. But daily life has friction: government letters, doctor visits and social events default to Dutch. 95% of Dutch people speak English, but surviving and thriving are different things. A1/A2 Dutch makes a real difference, and most universities offer free courses.

Q: What is a BSN and why does everything depend on it?

The BSN (burgerservicenummer) is the Dutch citizen service number — the master key. You need it for bank accounts, insurance, employment, DigiD and government services. You get it by registering at the municipality with a residential address; appointment waits are 2–6 weeks in major cities. See After Selection .

The questions everyone asks about studying in the Netherlands on the NL Scholarship — answered honestly, without the promotional spin you'll find on official websites.

ScholarshipUnion Editorial 4 min read Updated Oct 5, 2026

Application

No. It is €5,000 one-time against €18,000–45,000 in total first-year costs — it covers about 11–28% of one year. You need university-specific scholarships, home-country grants, part-time work and/or savings. See Alternatives and Living Costs.

It ended in 2024. Nuffic closed its international offices and discontinued the programme. It no longer exists, and any website still listing it is outdated. Some previously available scholarships may still exist as standalone university programmes. See Alternatives.

The political landscape has shifted. Under the revised WIB bill published on 5 October 2026, programmes would be taught in Dutch by default unless another language adds clear value, and institutions would steer international intake through numerus fixus. It is not yet in force. Some English-taught programmes are already switching to Dutch. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come, but go in with realistic expectations.

Finances

EU/EEA: no restrictions, unlimited hours, no permit needed. Working 56+ hours a month unlocks DUO student finance (a basic grant plus a supplementary grant of up to €491.08 a month in 2026, and free public transport).

Non-EU: a maximum of 16 hours a week (full-time in June–August). Your employer needs a TWV work permit from UWV, which can take up to 5 weeks (there is no government fee). Many employers refuse for part-time work. Self-employment (ZZP) is an alternative — no TWV needed. See During Studies.

Yes, mandatory. Non-EU, study only: private insurance at €30–60 a month. Non-EU and working: you must switch to the public basisverzekering (€130–159 a month, €385 deductible) within 4 months. EU: EHIC for study only, public insurance if working 56+ hours a month (zorgtoeslag offsets most of the cost). See Health Insurance.

Enschede (University of Twente): €350–450 a month rent. Groningen: €400–550 a month, with a vibrant student culture. Eindhoven: €400–550 a month, with strong tech-industry connections. Most expensive: Amsterdam (€600–1,200+ a month). See Living Costs.

A tax benefit for highly skilled migrants: 30% of gross salary is paid tax-free. From 1 January 2027 the maximum drops to 27%; the earlier plan to phase it down to 20% and then 10% was scrapped. On a €50,000 salary it saves roughly €5,000–7,000 a year. You must have lived 150+ km from the Dutch border for 16 of the 24 months before employment. See During Studies.

Life in the Netherlands

Yes. There is a 20,000+ student room shortage and a 3–5 year wait in Amsterdam. Universities have told students to defer. Scams grew from 1.4% to 9.3% of fraud reports. Start searching the day you get your admission letter, never pay before visiting, and use SSH, DUWO and Room.nl. See the Housing guide.

Not for your studies. There are 2,100+ English-taught programmes. But daily life has friction: government letters, doctor visits and social events default to Dutch. 95% of Dutch people speak English, but surviving and thriving are different things. A1/A2 Dutch makes a real difference, and most universities offer free courses.

The BSN (burgerservicenummer) is the Dutch citizen service number — the master key. You need it for bank accounts, insurance, employment, DigiD and government services. You get it by registering at the municipality with a residential address; appointment waits are 2–6 weeks in major cities. See After Selection.

Never pay before visiting in person. Never wire money to a private account. If the price seems too good, it is. Use trusted platforms: university housing, SSH, DUWO, Room.nl, HousingAnywhere. Never share passport copies before verifying the landlord’s identity. Report scams to the police (aangifte doen) and the Fraudehelpdesk.

After Your Studies

Yes. Apply for the zoekjaar (orientation year) — one year to find work, with no work restrictions — within 3 years of graduating. To stay on a work permit you need a job that meets the highly skilled migrant salary threshold: in 2026, €4,357 gross a month if you are under 30, or the reduced €3,122 that applies to recent graduates (both excluding holiday pay). The 30% ruling provides additional tax savings. See During Studies.