Tuition fees at universities and universities of applied sciences rise in line with inflation. As groceries, clothing, and going out become more expensive, tuition fees—albeit with some delay—also go up.

High inflation

This academic year, students are paying €2,530, and next academic year that amount will rise to €2,601. The tuition fee for the 2026–2027 academic year can now also be calculated, as the Dutch statistics agency CBS has published the inflation figure for April.

The Ministry of Education bases tuition increases on the average inflation rate from May to April. During that period, inflation was 3.6 percent—well above the target rate of 2 percent.

As a result of these price increases, tuition fees will amount to €2,694. That figure might still vary by one or two euros, as the inflation numbers for March and April have yet to be finalized.

Only April

Until 2022, tuition fees were based on the inflation rate in a single month—April. The difference was usually a few dozen euros. But in April 2022, inflation was exceptionally high (nearly 10 percent), and politicians were alarmed that tuition fees would increase by more than €200.

Minister Dijkgraaf quickly changed the regulation: from then on, the Ministry would use the average inflation over an entire year, which would result in fewer peaks and dips.

Since the introduction of the new method, tuition fees have still steadily increased, albeit somewhat more moderately: from €2,209 in 2022 to €2,314 in 2023, and €2,530 in 2024. As of September 2025, students in higher education will have to pay 2,601 euros in tuition fees. 

Statutory fee

All of this concerns the statutory tuition fee for students who have not yet completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The government no longer funds a second degree, which means students in that situation must pay the much higher institutional rate. Exceptions apply for those retraining in healthcare or education.

The basic student grant is also adjusted annually to account for inflation. Due to the extreme inflation in 2022, students even received an additional one-time compensation, but the minister ended that arrangement last year.