Living expenses

Planning your finances is an important part of preparing for your studies abroad. It's essential to budget carefully to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. Groningen, as a student city, offers relatively affordable living costs, especially when compared to larger cities like Amsterdam or Rotterdam. However, expenses can vary depending on your lifestyle, housing choices and personal spending habits. This section provides a rough breakdown of typical monthly costs, covering accommodation, food, insurance, transportation, and leisure, so you can plan ahead with confidence and focus on making the most of your time in Groningen.

Experience shows that students will spend on average €800-1.000 per month, not including tuition costs. The estimate below does not include unforeseen costs and should be used as a general indication of the costs of living in the Netherlands.

* The price of a room will depend on its location, its size, how many people you share the facilities (bathroom, kitchen) with and the general quality of the building. Start looking for rooms as soon as you can to get the best deals.

**Following a language course is recommended but not mandatory.

Non-EU/EEA students: The overview above is an indication of living expenses. For your MVV and/or residence permit application we have to check if you meet the living money standard as it is set by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The applicable amount may therefore vary from this overview. Please note that tuition fees are not included in the IND living money standard.

Working While Studying

It’s important to know that most international students cannot rely on finding part-time work to fund their studies. Employment opportunities are limited, especially if you don’t speak Dutch, and legal restrictions apply depending on your nationality.

How many hours can I work?

• If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you are free to work in the Netherlands without restrictions.

• If you are a non-EU/EEA student, Dutch law allows you to:

  Work a maximum of 16 hours per week during the academic year, or Work full-time during the summer months (June, July, and August). Your employer must apply for a work permit (TWV) on your behalf.

Do I have to pay income tax?

Yes, if you work in the Netherlands, you are required to pay income tax. However, if your home country has a tax treaty with the Netherlands, you might be exempt from paying tax in both countries. All EU member states have such treaties in place.

Social security and insurance

The Dutch government has systems in place to ensure that those who work in the Netherlands are covered by appropriate social security, insurance, and tax regulations. It’s important to understand how this may affect your situation.

For up-to-date details, visit the official Study in NL – Working while studying page.

Smart Budgeting Tips

• Shop at Lidl or Aldi for affordable groceries

• Look out for weekly deals like “Buy one, get one free”

• Visit the local market at the Vismarkt on Tuesdays and Fridays for fresh, affordable produce

• Use your ESN card for student discounts

• Buy second-hand furniture at shops like Mamamini

• Invest in a solid bike lock—repairs and replacements are costly!

Ben je een Nederlandse studiekiezer? Ga dan naar onze pagina's voor Nederlandse studenten.