Sufficient funds for living expenses

Throughout your stay, you must always have sufficient funds for living expenses at your disposal. The minimum amount is €1150 per month*.

*Valid as of 2025 and subject to annual change

When you apply for a new student residence permit or a permit extension, you will be asked to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for living expenses. See Visas & residence permits: proof of funds. If your student residence permit is valid for longer than 12 months, Leiden University will check before the start of each academic year that you still have sufficient funds.

Meet your tuition fee obligations

When you apply for a new student residence permit or a permit extension, you will be asked to demonstrate that you are able to pay your tuition fees. See Visas & residence permits: proof of funds. Throughout your studies you must continue to pay your tuition fees on time. Failure to do so will lead to the termination of your student registration. This will in turn result in the revocation of your student residence permit. For further information, see tuition fees.

Up to date town hall registration

Throughout your stay, you must remain registered with your local Dutch town hall in the Personal Records Database (BRP). See town hall registration.

As a student residence permit holder your main residency must always be in the Netherlands. The IND uses your BRP address to check your main residency. Therefore, if you move house, it is essential that you communicate your new Dutch address to your local town hall right away. All official communication will be sent to your BRP address.

If you are temporarily leaving the Netherlands for study purposes, always inform Leiden University via the contact form. If you are leaving the Netherlands indefinitely, follow the steps to take when Leaving the Netherlands.

Full-time student registration

You must remain registered as a full-time student. Part-time student registration is not permitted for student residence permit holder.

Make sufficient study progress (not applicable to incoming exchange students)

You must obtain at least 50% of the nominal study load per academic year, i.e.:

• 30 EC if you started your studies in September (period 1 September till 31 August*)
• 15 EC if you started your studies in February (period 1 February till 31 August*)
• Premaster students must complete their entire premaster programme within 1 year (or 1 semester for short premaster programmes). 

* If you graduate before 31 August, you are considered to have made sufficient study progress.

Exceptions can only be made in cases of proven exceptional circumstances. Find out more about study progress requirements and exceptional circumstances.

Sufficient health insurance coverage 

You are obliged to have sufficient health insurance coverage during your entire stay. If you decide to work alongside your studies, you must take out Dutch public health insurance.  This also applies in certain circumstances if you will do a paid internship. Make sure to familiarise yourself with health insurance requirements.

Valid residence permit at all times

Student residence permits are valid for the duration of your study programme plus 3 months (unless you cease to meet the criteria for your permit). Once your student residence permit expires, you no longer have the right to reside in the Netherlands, unless you have arranged residency on other grounds.

If you need more time to complete your studies, you are responsible for requesting an extension of your residence permit in good time, to avoid having a so-called residency gap.

Code of Conduct International Students

For more information on your rights and obligations as an international student in the Netherlands, see the Code of Conduct: International Students in Higher Education.