United States
Canada
Australia
Ireland
Japan
CyprusCost of a first year
Germany vs Netherlands: what a year of study costs
Germany is the cheaper of the two: about EUR 11,400 to 29,500 less for a first year.
fromup to Tuition, 12 months of living costs and the visa fee.
Side by side
| Figure |  Germany |  Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition a year | EUR 200 to 700 | EUR 9,000 to 30,000 |
| Living costs, 12 months | EUR 9,600 to 18,000 | EUR 12,000 to 18,000 |
| Student visa fee | EUR 75 | EUR 254 |
| First year, all in | EUR 9,900 to 18,800 | EUR 21,300 to 48,300 |
| Money to show for the visa | EUR 11,900 | EUR 13,570 |
| Work during term | 20 hours a week | 16 hours a week |
| Stay to work after | 18 months | 1 year |
| Figures checked | 2026-09-24 | 2026-09-24 |
Every figure is from the Germany and Netherlands guides, where each one links to its official source with the date we checked it. Living costs are the published monthly range times twelve. Converted at the day's rate (2026-11-08). Rates by Exchange Rate API.
Questions
Is it cheaper to study in Germany or the Netherlands?
Germany is the cheaper of the two: about EUR 11,400 to 29,500 less for a first year. A first year in Germany costs about EUR 9,900 to 18,800 and in the Netherlands about EUR 21,300 to 48,300, counting tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee, from each country's official sources.
How much money do I need to show for a student visa in Germany and Netherlands?
Germany: EUR 11,900 a year. Netherlands: EUR 13,570 a year.