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Netherlands

Complete guide for international students in the Netherlands: bureaucracy, housing, budget, health, work and finance.

Updated on: Jun 10, 2026

In Holland, finding a house is often the number one problem, more than the cost itself. BSN, health insurance and bikes define the first months: those who enter with a contract and a groaning appointment have a huge advantage.

What really changes here

  • BSN (civic service number) within a few days of moving: without it, work and healthcare become more complicated
  • Saturated rental market: registration system, offers in hours, often without visits
  • Bike as primary transportation: invest in lock and lights
  • Everyday English ok, but contracts and moaning in Dutch
  • Mandatory health insurance if you work; students often basic policy + integration
  • Payments: iDEAL and card; rare cash

Ideal if…

  • Masters in English, tech, economics, design
  • Who accepts a room in a shared house or outside the centre
  • Students who cycle and love a flat city
  • University cities (Groningen, Nijmegen) for less crazy rents

Harder if…

  • You are looking for an apartment in Amsterdam without a ready registration
  • You do not tolerate daily rain and wind
  • You expect guaranteed campus housing like in the USA
  • You only want Italian in public offices

First 7 days

  1. Accommodation with valid address for BSN (also registered sublease)
  2. Groaning appointment for BSN
  3. NL account (ING, ABN, bunq) with IBAN
  4. Basic health insurance (compare premium)
  5. Uni registration + OV-chipkaart or bike
  6. SIM NL (Lebara, KPN prepaid)
  7. Library membership and DigiD if applicable after BSN
Mistakes to avoid
  • Paying “key money” or illegal fees to skip the list
  • Staying without a BSN while working part-time
  • Leave bikes without heavy locks
  • Signing the contract without understanding the service included (gas, internet)

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