Amount Required (Study Norm)
The IND calls this the study norm (studienorm). It does not include tuition fees. For HBO (University of Applied Sciences) and WO (Research University), the IND required amount for 2026:
Monthly Amount
€1,130.77
per month
12-Month Total
€13,569.24
living costs only; tuition is separate
Schools may ask for a slightly higher buffer to avoid shortfalls due to bank fees / exchange rates (example: €1,140/month).
Your university / hogeschool is usually your IND-recognised sponsor and will tell you exactly what format they accept. Sometimes they'll even require you to use a specific method (like transferring the money to the university).
Accepted Ways to Show Funds
The IND lists 6 main ways to prove sufficient income for study.
Money in your own bank account
You have 12 months of the study norm in an account in your name, and the funds must be freely withdrawable (fixed deposits are only accepted if you can withdraw).
Deposit money to your educational institution
You transfer the required amount to the university/hogeschool account, and the institution keeps the bank proof in its administration.
Scholarship
You submit a scholarship declaration/letter with the required details (amount, dates, awarding institution, your personal details).
Funds from a company
A company sponsors you using the IND’s statement and company bank proof.
Money from a private person abroad (financier)
A sponsor abroad provides the IND private support statement + ID copy + bank proof.
Money from a private person in the Netherlands
A sponsor in NL must prove independent, sustainable, sufficient income, plus additional documents (e.g., BRP extract).
In practice: many universities prefer Option B (deposit to university) or apply stricter rules than the IND. Some may not accept bank statements at all (example policy: "no bank statements" unless it's an education-institution scholarship).
Bank Statement Requirements
What your statement must show if you use bank statements (your own or a sponsor's).
IND Minimum Requirements
Documents must be not older than 3 months
Documents must be in Dutch, English, German, or French (otherwise translate them).
University "Stricter" Examples
Some schools require extra clarity
Key rule: funds must be freely available to you (not locked, not reimbursement-based).
Scholarship Proof
What the letter must include
Repayable scholarships can be accepted, but reimbursement-based scholarships (you pay first and claim later) may be rejected as proof of funds.
Sponsor / Financier Documents
Sponsor Abroad
Typically involves the IND private support statement and proof the sponsor has enough funds, with a recent bank statement (≤3 months) if they live abroad.
Sponsor in the Netherlands
Sponsor must prove independent, sustainable, sufficient income, plus extra supporting documents (e.g., BRP extract and proof of income).
What to Expect from Your University
Your school will usually ask you to complete the IND "own statement" form as part of the yearly proof process.
You must be able to show sufficient funds each study year (not just once).
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays
Bank statement too old (your school may require 2 months, even if IND allows 3 months)
Account number/name not fully visible
Funds are not “freely available” (locked time deposits, conditional funds, reimbursement-only scholarships)
Using the wrong method for your school (some require a deposit transfer and won’t accept statements)