Rent and fixed expenses
For most students, rent is their biggest expense. As a student in Enschede, you are relatively lucky: the rent prices here are well below the Dutch average. Still, for a room you can expect to pay around €370 per month on average, excluding gas, water and electricity. The type of accommodation you choose can make quite a difference, though: a student room is generally cheaper than renting your own apartment or studio, for which you usually pay around €500 to €700 a month.
Taxes
The fact that you have to pay rent as a student is hopefully not a surprise to you ;). But that you also have to pay taxes on top of that, you might not have known yet! In Enschede, you are required to pay water authority tax and waste disposal charges every year. The exact amount depends on your living situation but consider on average about €300 a year. Always check your rental contract carefully though, because sometimes your landlord may already cover these costs! If not, you may be eligible for tax exemption depending on your income and savings.
Study books and supplies
Study books are expensive. The exact cost depends on what you study, what year you are in and whether you buy (physical) study books at all. You can also choose to use online books or buy second-hand. Additionally, you should take into account expenses like stationery and possible material costs for group projects and subscriptions to summary websites. All in all, this will cost you around €50 a month.
Groceries
Of course, you can't study on an empty stomach! That’s why it is wise to set aside money for groceries each month. To save money, avoid small campus or city supermarkets. Opting for store-brand products and cooking multiple portions at once can also help cut costs. All things considered, grocery expenses can vary considerably but expect around €150-€200 per month on average.
Leisure, going out and free time
Student life (fortunately!) isn’t just about studying. It also includes nights out, dining with friends or catching a movie at the cinema... Or how about an evening of binge-watching your favourite series? Unfortunately, all these activities and streaming platforms come with a price tag of around €100-150 per month.
Student, study and sports associations
As a student, joining a student, study or sports association is a great way to meet other students, although it does come at a cost. Fortunately, a membership for a study association does not cost much, around €10 a year. Playing sports at a student sports association in Enschede is also relatively cheap: including a UnionCard and association fees, expect to pay around €150-€200 per year. The fee for a student association membership varies per association but is typically around €100 per year. On top of this, there are also the costs for activities, association clothing, society fees, and beer money.
Clothing and shoes
Over the course of a year, you will also occasionally (or regularly ;)) buy new clothes and shoes. Of course, the costs depend on how often and where you shop, but they typically add up to around €50-€70 per month.
Phone subscription
A phone subscription is also essential for us students. A Sim-Only subscription costs around €20-€30 per month.
Transport
Public transportation in the Netherlands can be quite expensive. By going for a day trip to another city or taking the bus to university, the transportation costs can quickly add up. All in all, transport will cost you around €70 per month on average, although this mainly depends on your own (travel) plans, of course 😉. Do you travel a lot with public transportation? Then a travel subscription, like Weekend Vrij (unlimited traveling in the weekends), might be worth it!
Insurance
As a student, you are required to have health insurance, which costs you around €120-€150 per month. Fortunately, you can apply for a healthcare allowance if you are a working student, which alleviates these costs a lot. In addition, home contents insurance can be useful if you own a lot of expensive items, such as a laptop and electronics. Finally, consider liability insurance to insure yourself against damage you cause to others. After all, accidents happen sometimes!
All in all, the monthly costs of studying and everything that comes with it are not to be taken lightly. Fortunately, these are just average estimates: with a bit of smart budgeting, you can save quite a lot on many of these expenses!
Source: Nibud
