Netherlands (NL)

The Netherlands is a small, densely populated constitutional monarchy in Northwestern Europe, consistently ranked among the world's most liveable and progressive countries.

Capital: Amsterdam

Region: Europe

Language: Dutch

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Expensive (index 76)

Emergency: 112

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Netherlands.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Daycare (dagopvang) €1,200–2,000 gross; €200–800 net after kinderopvangtoeslag (subsidy covers up to 96% for lowest incomes)

Age: 6 weeks – 4 years

Subsidy available

Kinderopvangtoeslag from the Belastingdienst — income-based subsidy. In 2026, subsidised up to 96% of the hourly rate for the lowest incomes, scaling down to ~33% for higher incomes. Maximum hourly rate cap (2026): €11.23/hour for daycare and kindergarten; €9.98/hour for after-school care (BSO). Both parents must work or study to qualify.

Find registered providers at kinderopvang.nl or via a childcare platform (KidsFoundation, Partou, BSO de Speeltuin, etc.). Sign a contract, then apply for kinderopvangtoeslag at belastingdienst.nl.

⏱️ Waiting lists of 6–18 months in Amsterdam and Utrecht. Register at multiple providers before the child is born if possible.

Preschool playgroup (peuterspeelzaal / peuteropvang) €0–400/month (income-based)

Age: 2–4 years

Subsidy available

Peuteropvang is partly subsidised by the gemeente and national kinderopvangtoeslag for working parents. For non-working parents, a separate gemeente subsidy (VVE — early childhood education and care) is available for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact your gemeente for peuteropvang information or find a local provider via your gemeente's social services.

⏱️ Less competitive than daycare. Most children get a spot within 1–2 months.

After-school care (buitenschoolse opvang — BSO) €300–800 gross; €100–400 net after subsidy

Age: 4–12 years

Subsidy available

Same kinderopvangtoeslag as daycare, applied to BSO hours. Both parents must work or study.

Usually arranged through the primary school or a BSO linked to the school. Apply for kinderopvangtoeslag at belastingdienst.nl once enrolled.

⏱️ Often linked to the primary school. Register at the school-linked BSO as soon as possible.

🏫 Schools

Primary school (basisschool) Free

Basisschool

Ages: 4–12 years (groups 1–8) · Language: Dutch (some schools offer bilingual education — tweetalig onderwijs)

Contact your local schools directly. Compulsory from age 5 but most children start at age 4 (group 1). Registration at the school using BSN and birth certificate. Some schools (especially popular Amsterdam Montessori schools) have waiting lists.

The Netherlands has a unique school system with significant religious and educational-philosophy variety — all publicly funded: openbaar (public), katholiek (Catholic), protestant, islamitisch, and bijzonder (alternative — Montessori, Dalton, Jenaplan, Freinet). All must follow national core curriculum. Bilingual (Dutch/English) primary schools are growing in number. ISK (Internationale Schakelklas) reception classes available for newly arrived children who do not speak Dutch.

Secondary school (middelbaar onderwijs) Free

Voortgezet onderwijs (VO)

Ages: 12–17/18 years · Language: Dutch (some schools offer TTO — tweetalig onderwijs in Dutch/English)

Primary school gives a school advice (schooladvies) based on performance and teacher assessment. This advice determines the level of secondary school: VMBO (4 years, practical/vocational); HAVO (5 years, higher general); VWO (6 years, pre-university). Enrol directly at the secondary school.

The Dutch secondary school system is highly tracked. The school advice at the end of primary school is very influential. ISAK (reception classes for secondary school) available for non-Dutch-speaking newcomers. International Baccalaureate (IB) offered at several Dutch schools. TTO schools teach half the curriculum in English — very popular with expat children.

International Schools

Major international schools in the Netherlands: The British School in the Netherlands (BSN — multiple campuses), Amsterdam International Community School (AICS), International School of Amsterdam (ISA — IB), The Hague International Centre of Education (THICE), Rotterdam International Secondary School (RISS), American School of The Hague. Annual fees: €12,000–28,000. Waiting lists common at top schools. Some international schools offer English-medium Dutch curriculum (IPC/IB).

University

Tuition fee

Dutch public universities: €2,694/year (2026–27 statutory rate — wettelijk collegegeld) for EU/EEA students. Non-EU students: €8,000–20,000/year depending on programme and university. Top programmes (medicine, engineering) may charge higher institutional rates.

Semester fee

€2,530/year statutory fee for EU students. Many universities also charge a small administrative fee.

Student visa

Non-EU students need a student residence permit (verblijfsvergunning voor studie). Applied for by the Dutch institution on your behalf after admission.

Health insurance

EU students: EHIC from home country. Non-EU students: must take out Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering) once enrolled in Dutch education.

Application process

Apply via studielink.nl (central application portal). Deadlines: 15 January for popular programmes; 1 May for most other programmes. Recognition of foreign qualifications via Nuffic/IDW.

🗣️ Language Courses

Civic integration course (inburgeringscursus) Mandatory

Provider: DUO-funded providers (various) · Duration: Typically 1.5–3 years · Levels: A1 to B1 Dutch (and KNS — Knowledge of Dutch Society)

Free for most non-EU permit holders since 2022 (DUO funded)

Mandatory for non-EU permit holders with non-temporary permits within 3 years. Register via inburgeren.nl or your gemeente. DUO provides a personal plan (persoonlijk plan inburgering en participatie) with free courses.

Dutch language classes (NT2)

Provider: Taalhuis centres, ROC (Regional Education Centres), private schools · Duration: 3 months to 2 years · Levels: A1 to C1

Taalhuis: free. ROC: €200–800/course. Private: €500–2,000.

NT2 (Nederlands als Tweede Taal) is the official framework for Dutch as a second language. Taalhuizen (language houses) offer free practice sessions in every major municipality.

Intensive Dutch courses

Provider: NL Training, Babel, Language Institute Regina Coeli, Flowently · Duration: 1–12 weeks · Levels: A1 to B2

€800–3,000 for intensive courses

Popular with expats who want to learn Dutch quickly. Many offer business Dutch or expat-specific programmes.

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