Key facts
- TU/e only offers limited housing help, to first-year international master's students. Fontys has a limited number of rooms through partner landlords.
- EU students who work at least 32 hours a month can usually get Dutch student finance as a migrant worker.
- Non-EU students may work up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June, July and August, and only with a work permit (TWV) applied for by the employer.
- Non-EU students must earn at least 50% of their credits each year to keep their residence permit.
- Dutch Design Week 2026 (17 to 25 October) has a student ticket of 17.50 euros early bird, 19.50 euros regular.
What to do
Tick each step when it's done; we remember it in this browser.
Use your university's housing offer if you qualify, register with Vestide's waiting list, and search platforms like Kamernet and Pararius. Fontys' form for autumn opens on 1 May and closes on 15 June.
Book an appointment as soon as you have an address. You need the BSN to work, open some bank accounts and apply for DUO.
If you take a job, you need Dutch basic insurance, which costs more than student insurance. Check your situation before signing a contract.
If you work at least 32 hours a month, or earn at least 700.75 euros a month in 2026, apply for student finance with your DigiD. Between 24 and 32 hours DUO assesses each case.
Your employer applies for the work permit at UWV. It can take up to five weeks. Do not start before it is approved.
If you qualify for Dutch student finance, you can also get the student travel product for free or discounted public transport.
The housing reality
Housing is the hardest part of starting in Eindhoven. TU/e helps only first-year international master's students, through a lottery and partner providers, and nothing is guaranteed. Students continuing past their first year and Dutch students find housing themselves.
Fontys has no student housing of its own. It works with landlords such as Vestide and Holland2Stay and can offer a room to a limited number of new international students, for the first semester or year. You usually pay rent and deposit before you arrive, and rent starts on the contract date even if you arrive later.
On the private market TU/e estimates 400 to 575 euros a month for a room with shared facilities, and 750 to 1,000 euros for a place with your own facilities. Fontys lists standard rooms in Eindhoven at under 750 euros.
Student finance for EU students
EU, EEA, Swiss and some UK students can get Dutch student finance through DUO if they count as a migrant worker or have lived in the Netherlands for 5 years in a row.
The work rule in 2026: at least 32 hours a month, or a monthly income of at least 700.75 euros (173 euros under 21). After 6 months of work, an average of 24 hours can be enough. Between 24 and 32 hours, DUO decides case by case.
For students living away from home, the 2026 amounts per month are a basic grant of 324.52 euros, a supplementary grant up to 491.08 euros depending on parents' income, and a loan of 315.17 euros.
Working while studying
EU, EEA and Swiss students can work without a permit and without an hour limit, under normal Dutch labour law.
Non-EU students need a work permit (TWV) for each employer, applied for by the employer at UWV. The limit is 16 hours a week during the academic year, or full-time in June, July and August. Working without a TWV or above the limit can cost you your residence permit.
Check the back of your residence permit card. Some permits allow work without a TWV, but a student permit alone does not.
Discounts that exist
The biggest real discount is the DUO student travel product, available to students who qualify for Dutch student finance. You choose free travel on weekdays or at weekends. It turns into a gift only if you graduate within 10 years.
Many events and museums have student prices, but check each one. Dutch Design Week 2026 has a student ticket for anyone with a valid student card.
Mistakes to avoid
- Arriving in September without housing and expecting to find a room in the first week.
- Starting a job before the TWV is approved.
- Going over 16 hours a week during term on a student permit.
- Keeping only student insurance after starting a paid job.
- Missing the 50% credit requirement and putting your residence permit at risk.
Useful links
See 7 more links
More official sources
Sources we checked
Coming up
-
Sat 24 Oct · Bachelor sessions 10:00-15:30 (three slots); Master sessions 11:00-12:30 and 13:00-14:30
Design Academy Eindhoven Bachelor & Master Open Day
Design Academy Eindhoven
For aspiring designers: tour the academy, see the departments and hear about the bachelor and master programmes in person. Register on the school site first.
-
Tue 27 Oct · 15:00-16:00
Study in NL: Ask the Ambassadors
Online (Microsoft Teams)
For international students thinking about studying in the Netherlands: ask student ambassadors your questions in a live online Q&A.
-
Sat 31 Oct · 10:00-16:00
Fontys Open Day Eindhoven
Fontys campus Eindhoven (building per programme)
For students choosing a bachelor's or associate degree: visit the programmes on the Eindhoven campus and talk to students and teachers.
-
Sat 31 Oct · 10:00-16:00
Fontys Open Day Tilburg
Fontys campus Tilburg (building per programme)
For students choosing a bachelor's: visit the Tilburg programmes, including the English-taught arts programmes, and talk to students and teachers.
Related
Read next
- HousingI need a place to liveFinding a room or apartment in Eindhoven without getting scammed8 min read
- Getting aroundI need to get aroundGetting around Eindhoven: bike, bus and train7 min read
- StudyingI want to apply to TU/eApplying to TU/e as an international student7 min read
- StudyingI want to apply to FontysApplying to Fontys as an international student6 min read
We checked this guide against its sources on 9 October 2026. Rules change: the official source always wins. Spotted something out of date? DM @gone.with.us or email contact@gonewithus.nl.