netherlandsvisascost of living
IND sets 2026 study income requirement at €1,131
International students applying for a Dutch student residence permit must prove they can cover a fixed monthly living-cost amount. For 2026, the IND sets this at €1,130.77 a month for university and HBO (higher professional education) students, and €928.58 a month for secondary or MBO (vocational) students. The figures apply for the whole calendar year and matter to anyone applying for, or renewing, a study residence permit in 2026.
What changed
- The IND publishes a fixed monthly income norm for study residence permits, revised each 1 January to cover the following twelve months.
- For 2026 (1 January to 31 December), the amount is €1,130.77 a month for university and HBO-level students, and €928.58 a month for MBO and secondary-level students.
- This figure is what a student, or whoever is financially responsible for them, must show is available to cover living costs. It sits alongside first-year tuition, which must also be paid or guaranteed separately before a permit is issued.
- If someone else in the Netherlands is financing the student instead of the student financing themselves, that person faces a materially higher income threshold, because they need to support themselves as well as the student.
Who it affects
- Prospective non-EEA/EFTA students applying for a first study residence permit at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences.
- Students renewing an existing study permit partway through their programme.
- Parents, family members, or scholarship bodies acting as financial guarantors for a student.
- MBO and pre-university applicants, who fall under the lower threshold.
What you should do
- Confirm the exact figure that applies to your programme level directly on the IND income requirements page before submitting evidence. Older blog posts and forums often quote outdated amounts from previous years.
- If a sponsor or family member is funding your studies, check their required income separately; it is not the same figure as the student norm.
- Budget beyond the minimum. The IND figure is a compliance threshold for visa purposes, not a realistic living-cost estimate in expensive cities. See our cost of living guide for a fuller picture.
- Keep evidence (bank statements, scholarship letters, sponsor declarations) dated to the period covered by your application, since assessors check against the amount valid on the application date.
What hasn’t changed
The requirement to separately demonstrate first-year tuition funds, the role of your institution as an IND-recognised sponsor, and the overall study residence permit process are unchanged. For the full permit conditions, see our Netherlands visas guide.