Cost of Living in the Netherlands 2026: Official Data
Three official sources together give a usable picture of what it costs to live in the Netherlands. Study in NL publishes a monthly budget for students. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) measures how fast rents are rising. And the government sets the two numbers everything else is measured against: the minimum wage and the income the immigration service treats as enough to live on. This guide combines them, as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
Students in the Netherlands spend an average of €1000 - €1,500 a month, according to Study in NL, with an average room costing between €450 and €1000. Rents rose by an average of 4.4 percent in July 2026. The statutory minimum wage for workers aged 21 and older is €14.99 per hour from 1 July 2026. The immigration service's standard income requirement is €2,337.00 gross a month without holiday allowance, and a foreign student must show €1,130.77 a month.
A monthly budget for one person
Study in NL publishes this overview of average monthly costs for a student, taken from the budget institute Nibud for 2024:
| Item | Per month |
|---|---|
| Rent | €561 |
| Groceries | €244 |
| Leisure and sports | €239 |
| Basic Dutch health insurance, when working in the Netherlands | €133 |
| Transportation | €67 |
| Study books and materials | €41 |
This is a student budget, not a budget for a household, and it dates from 2024.
Housing
- A room: an average room costs somewhere between €450 and €1000 a month, depending on the city and what is included in the rent.
- City matters: housing in Amsterdam is more expensive than in smaller towns such as Enschede.
How fast rents are rising
| Average rent increase effective from 1 July | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5.4 percent |
| 2025 | 4.9 percent |
| 2026 | 4.4 percent |
CBS reports that rents for social housing increased by an average of 4.3 percent in July 2026 and rents for private sector homes by 4.5 percent. Sitting tenants fared better than movers: for existing tenancies the increase averages 3.8 percent, because a landlord can raise the rent by more when a new tenant moves in. Housing associations own around two-thirds of all rental properties, mostly social housing.
Everyday prices
| Item | Average price |
|---|---|
| A cup of coffee or tea in a café | €3.00 |
| A cheese sandwich | €4.00 |
| Dinner in a typical student restaurant | €12.50 |
| A single bus fare in the city | Around €2 |
Study in NL's advice is practical. The cheapest way to eat is to cook for yourself, a bike is the cheap way to get around town, and a discount card takes 40% off train tickets outside rush hour.
What you can earn: the minimum wage
| Age | Hourly minimum wage from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| 21 years and older | €14.99 |
| 20 years | €11.99 |
| 19 years | €8.99 |
| 18 years | €7.50 |
Since 1 January 2024 the Dutch minimum wage is fixed per hour, before tax, and there is no longer a monthly, weekly or daily minimum. It rose from €14.71 to €14.99 on 1 July 2026 and is adjusted every 6 months, on 1 January and 1 July. Your sector's collective labour agreement may set a higher minimum.
What the government treats as enough
| Benchmark | Amount |
|---|---|
| Income requirement for a partner or paid-employment permit, 1 July to 31 December 2026 | €2,337.00 gross a month without holiday allowance; €2,523.96 with it |
| Income requirement for a single parent | €1,635.90 gross a month without holiday allowance |
| Study norm for a university or hbo student, 2026 | €1,130.77 a month |
| Highly skilled migrant, 30 or older, 2026 | €5,942.00 gross a month |
| Highly skilled migrant, younger than 30, 2026 | €4,357.00 gross a month |
The study norm is a useful anchor. The IND sets it equal to the most a Dutch student living in a dorm can receive in study benefits, and it excludes tuition.
Studying: tuition on top
- EEA, Swiss and Surinamese students: the statutory fee is €2,694 for the academic year 2026-2027.
- Other nationalities: on average between €9,000 and €20,000 a year for a bachelor's programme and between €12,000 and €30,000 for a master's.
Fees a newcomer pays once
- Residence permit as a highly skilled migrant or for paid employment: €423
- Residence permit for study, or to stay with a partner: €254
- Child under 18: €85
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in the Netherlands per month?
Study in NL estimates that students spend an average of €1000 - €1,500 a month. The immigration service's standard income requirement for a worker or partner is €2,337.00 gross a month without holiday allowance in the second half of 2026.
How much is rent in the Netherlands?
An average room costs between €450 and €1000 a month, according to Study in NL, and Nibud's 2024 student budget puts rent at €561.
Are rents rising in the Netherlands?
Yes. CBS reports an average increase of 4.4 percent in July 2026, after 4.9 percent in 2025 and 5.4 percent in 2024.
What is the minimum wage in the Netherlands in 2026?
€14.99 per hour before tax for employees aged 21 and older from 1 July 2026, up from €14.71.
How much is health insurance in the Netherlands?
Study in NL's overview lists basic Dutch health insurance at €133 a month for someone working in the Netherlands, based on Nibud's 2024 figures.
Is Amsterdam more expensive than other Dutch cities?
For housing, yes. Study in NL notes that housing in Amsterdam is more expensive than in smaller towns such as Enschede.
How much are groceries in the Netherlands?
Nibud's 2024 student budget, published by Study in NL, puts groceries at €244 a month.
Official sources
- Study in NL — Daily student expenses and cost of living in the Netherlands
- Statistics Netherlands (CBS) — Housing rents up by an average of 4.4 percent, 4 September 2026
- Government of the Netherlands — Minimum wage amounts
- Business.gov.nl — Minimum wage increased on 1 July 2026
- Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) — Required amounts income requirements
- IND — Fees: costs of an application
- Study in NL — Tuition fees
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. The student budget dates from 2024 and rents have risen since, so use it as a starting point. Information, not financial advice.