Campus accommodation is not common in the Netherlands. Most students rent a room in a student house. Since there is a high demand for student accommodation, we recommend starting your search as soon as possible and, where possible, letting Tio help you. Average accommodation prices for student housing in the Netherlands vary between €450 and €800 a month.
Students requiring a student visa will automatically be offered housing via Tio.

Should you decide to try to find your own place to live, here are some helpful links:

Keep in mind that most student housing is not furnished unless otherwise specified and you will only be renting a room, and may have to share the other facilities like the bathroom and kitchen with other students. More info about student housing on Study in NL.

Your daily expenses include food, public transport, clothes, and cinema tickets. But you also need to take into account the costs for housing and insurance. Experience has shown that students living and studying in the Netherlands for one year spend between €800 and €1,100 a month (source: Studyinholland.nl).

In the Netherlands the € (Euro) is the current currency. Although at some tourist areas other currencies might be accepted, please make sure to have Euro’s with you at all times.

Check: travelex for the accurate exchange rates.

In the Netherlands the current from wall Power sockets is 220-230 Volt, 50 cycles (Hz). Sockets and plugs may be different from those in your country. It can be useful to have an adapter if you want to bring an electric razor, a hair dryer, radio, etc.

In the Netherlands the common European plugs are used. 

The weather in the Netherlands is moderate. Due to the close proximity to the sea, the weather is strongly influenced. The temperatures range between 20°C to 30 in the summer period and -5 to 5 during the winter season.

The fall and spring are in the middle of these temperatures. The Netherlands has a lot of (strong) winds and rain. This can make the experienced temperature different from the real value. For example, the wind in wintertime can make it feel a lot colder than it really is. It is therefore important to prepare your stay by taking the right selection of clothes to the Netherlands.

Shops are normally open from 9:00 in the morning until 18:00 in the evening (on weekdays). On Sundays, most shops in the centre of Amsterdam / Utrecht are also open. Many shops are closed on Monday morning and all shops close earlier on Saturdays (at 16:00 or 17:00). In the city centre shops are open on Thursday evening until 21:00.

Most supermarkets are open from 8 in the morning to 8 at night. Food can be bought at the supermarkets such as Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Plus, Emte, Aldi, Lidl, and so on. Cigarettes, beer and wine can be bought at these shops, but stronger alcoholic drinks should be bought in an off license shop (liquor shops, normal opening times). Please note that if you are under 18, you will not be able to buy or consume alcohol.

It is possible to play tennis, football, swim, do aerobics, fitness or participate in some other sports and/or activities in Amsterdam and Utrecht. For more information ask your fellow students or your main contact persons at he the Tio campus what the best sport location are for you.

In the Netherlands there are various ways of travelling around the country.

Bicycles

Most students use a bicycle for their transport in town (as you will see on your arrival in the Netherlands). If you plan to stay in Holland for a few months, it is advisable for you to buy an (old) second-hand bike. Ask the Dutch students where to buy them, but make sure you buy a legal one (so do not buy a bike you think might be stolen). Second-hand bike shops sell bikes at the reasonable prices of €50 – €100.

Bus service

The bus station is located near the railway station. If you want to travel by bus, you have to be in the possession of a public transport card (OV-kaart). This OV-kaart can be reused. The OV-kaart can be bought at the ticket office, train station or cigarette stores. Busses are used to travel relative short distances (never more than 20 km).

Taxi service

Taxis are rather expensive in the Netherlands. There is start price of € 7.50 regardless of the length of the ride. For each consecutive kilometre a surcharge is applied. Always ask the price of the ride and check if the price matches the prices that should be announced inside the taxi. Do not go with unregistered taxis that solicit for a ride. Luckily, it is possible to grab an Uber too, a taxi service that is much cheaper than the regular taxis in the Netherlands.

Train service

Trains are, when compared to other European countries, neither very expensive, nor very cheap. The quality is relatively good. There are regular services all over the country. As Amsterdam and Utrecht have large train stations, you will always have easy connections to all the big cities from the central train station. Please check www.ns.nl/en. You can travel first class (expensive, but more comfortable) and second class (the least expensive one) when you have the right ticket. Return tickets are only valid on the day of issue. When traveling from one city to another, it is common to travel by train.

Discount cards

There are some possibilities to travel for less money. There are several types of discount cards. More information can be given at the railway station, or consult www.ns.nl/en. Be aware of the fact that travelling without a valid train ticket could cost you a great deal of money (if caught you have to pay a fine of 70 euro + the price of the ticket you had to buy) and if you cannot pay (in cash only) straight away, the fine will be increased with administration costs.

Tio expects all its students to have personal liability insurance as well as health insurance. EU/EEA students can study at Tio based on insurance taken out in their home country.
For students requiring a visa, Tio will provide you with sufficient insurance. For more information please consult aon.com.