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Guide for (international) students

Studeren in Nederland en België

Finding a room without getting scammed, registering, insurance, money, work and your first week. Step by step, with the official source.

NetherlandsBelgium
Where are you coming from?I am from abroad (EU/EEA)I am from outside the EUI am from NL/BE and moving out

Read this first, this is where it often goes wrong

  1. Start looking for a room 3 to 6 months ahead, and first through your school or university. Housing
  2. Never pay anything before you have seen the room (or someone you trust has) and you have a contract. Never via Western Union or a money transfer abroad.
  3. Register with the municipality soon after you arrive. Without that registration, a bank account, a job or a GP often will not work out. Sorting things out on arrival

The chapters

  1. 01Housing: finding a roomWhere to look, in what order, how to spot scams and what your rights are.
  2. 02Sorting things out on arrivalRegistering with the municipality, your number (BSN or national number), residence, insurance, bank, phone and transport.
  3. 03Money and workStudent finance, allowances, how much you can work and your own budget.
  4. 04Studying here: grades, credits and classroom cultureHow grades work (1 to 10 and out of 20), ECTS, binding study advice, study credit and what lecturers expect.
  5. 05Health and wellbeingGP, emergency number 112, help from your school and someone to talk to.
  6. 06Social life: meeting peopleStudent associations, intro weeks, sport and events to meet people.
  7. 07Checklist and timelineBefore you arrive, the first week and the first month. Tick off what you have sorted.

Stuck? Ask the guide.

An assistant that knows the guide and gives you a step-by-step plan, in your language. With a link to the official source.

Ask your question

Checked: november 2026. This is general information; when in doubt, check the official source or your international office.