Two Types of Tuition
In the Netherlands, your tuition fee usually falls into one of two buckets:
Statutory Tuition Fee
wettelijk collegegeld
A government-set amount (the "EU-rate" most people mean).
Institutional Tuition Fee
instellingscollegegeld
Set by the university/hogeschool, typically much higher (often the "non-EU rate").
Which one you pay depends on (1) your nationality/residence status; (2) whether your programme is government-funded, and (3) whether you already have a Dutch government-funded degree at the same level.
EU/EEA vs Non-EU: The Quick Rule
You usually pay the statutory fee if you:
Study in a government-funded programme
Are a national of the Netherlands / EU / EEA / Switzerland / Suriname, or you hold certain Dutch residence permits that qualify (for example: permanent residence)
You have not completed a Dutch government-funded degree at the same level (Bachelor → Bachelor, or Master → Master), unless an exception applies
You usually pay the institutional fee if you:
You do not meet all statutory-fee conditions (most commonly: you're non-EU/EEA and don't hold a qualifying Dutch residence permit)
You already completed a Dutch government-funded degree at the same level (second degree rules can trigger institutional fees)
Statutory Fee (EU-Rate)
Government and DUO publish the statutory amount each year:
2025–2026
€2,601
2026–2027
€2,694
The old "first-year half tuition" scheme has been stopped from 2024–2025 onward.
Certain "small-scale & intensive" programmes may charge a higher fee, capped at 5× the statutory amount.
Institutional Fee (Non-EU Rate)
Institutional fees are set by each institution and vary by programme.
Bachelor's
€9,000 – €20,000
per year
Master's
€12,000 – €30,000
per year
Real-World Examples
(2025–2026)
many Bachelor programmes list €11,400 for non-EEA; many Master programmes list €19,950 for non-EEA (programme-dependent)
(2026–2027, examples)
non-EEA Bachelor fees can be around €17,500 (Humanities), and much higher in fields like Medicine
"EU-Rate" Can Apply Even If You're Non-EU
Special cases based on Dutch residence status
Some non-EU students qualify for the statutory fee based on Dutch residence status (the exact permit types matter). DUO provides a detailed list of qualifying residence permits and statuses.
StudyPath tip: if you're unsure, use Mijn DUO → 'Collegegeld' with your DigiD account and it should get you an indication of which fee applies to you.
Other Fee-Related Costs to Plan For
Application / Handling Fees
Some institutions charge non-EEA applicants an application/handling fee (often around €75 – €100, depending on the institution).
Refunds If You Stop Mid-Year
If you discontinue your programme, refunds (if any) are handled via your institution, not DUO.
StudyPath Tip
When budgeting, always check your exact programme page for the institutional fee and payment schedule, then compare that with the statutory fee baseline above. If you tell us your nationality + chosen university + programme + start year, we can quickly confirm which fee category is most likely for you and what a realistic annual total looks like.