Cost of Living in the Netherlands as a Pakistani Student — Honest Numbers

Every university brochure says something like "budget €800–1,200 per month." That range is useless without context. Here is what it actually costs, broken down honestly, from someone who lives here.

Rent — the biggest and most stressful cost

This is where Pakistani students are most often shocked. The Netherlands has a severe housing shortage. Expect to pay:

• €500–750/month — student room (8–18m²) in a shared house. This is the realistic budget option.
• €750–1,100/month — studio apartment (self-contained, usually 20–35m²)
• €1,100+/month — anything with more space or in a desirable city-centre location

Amsterdam is the most expensive. Groningen, Enschede, and Maastricht are more affordable. The university cities with the most affordable student housing are Enschede (University of Twente) and Groningen.

Most universities have student housing corporations (SSH, DUWO, Stadswonen) with subsidised rooms. Apply the moment you receive your offer letter — waiting lists are long, often 6–12 months. Many international students spend their first months in private housing while waiting.

Food

• €150–250/month cooking at home — this is very achievable. Dutch supermarkets (Albert Heijn, Lidl, Jumbo) are well-stocked. Halal meat is widely available in most cities, though slightly more expensive than regular options.
• €5–12 per meal eating out — Dutch food is not particularly exciting or cheap. Pakistani/Indian restaurants exist in most cities and are reasonably priced (€10–15 for a proper meal).

Transport

The Netherlands runs on bicycles and trains. You will need both.

• Bicycle — €100–250 for a decent second-hand bike (essential, buy on Marktplaats). Do not buy cheap — it will be stolen. A good lock costs €30–50 and is not optional.
• OV-chipkaart — the national public transport card. Load credit and use it for trains, buses, and trams. A single train journey costs €3–10 depending on distance.
• Student OV subscription — if you are enrolled in a Dutch institution and pay Dutch tuition, you may be eligible for the OV student card (free travel on weekdays or weekends). As a non-EU student paying international fees, this is often not available to you. Check with your university.

Health insurance

This surprises most Pakistani students. The Netherlands requires all residents (including international students) to have health insurance if you work here. If you are on a student visa and not working, you typically do not need Dutch health insurance — but you should have international student insurance. Many universities partner with AON or similar providers. Budget €30–70/month.

Phone and internet

• SIM card — €15–25/month for a data + calls plan (Ben, Lebara, Simyo are popular affordable options)
• Home internet — usually included in rent for student rooms. If not, €30–45/month.

Realistic monthly budget

Category	Budget (€)
Rent	600
Food & groceries	200
Transport	60
Health insurance	50
Phone	20
Personal/misc	100
Total	~€1,030

A realistic minimum is around €900/month if you are careful. Amsterdam will push that to €1,200+ due to rent alone. This does not include tuition, which you typically pay upfront or per semester.

Part-time work

As a non-EU student in the Netherlands, you are permitted to work up to 16 hours per week during the academic year, and full-time during summer. Minimum wage is around €13.68/hour (2025 figures). Working 12 hours/week brings in approximately €500–550/month — a meaningful contribution to living costs.

Finding work is realistic in most Dutch cities. Hospitality, supermarkets, and logistics companies actively hire international students. Dutch is an advantage but not always required.

If you want a personalised breakdown based on the city and university you are targeting, bring it up on a free call — we can give you real numbers for your specific situation.