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International students

Information for foreign students in Rotterdam. Find more information about living, studying, travelling, regulations, starting your own business and other subjects that might be usefull to you as an international student.

'To study in Rotterdam is a wise decision. Rotterdam has everything to make your life here educational, exciting and unforgettable: high-quality study programmes, festivals, sports, culture, entertainment, shopping and architecture.

Rotterdam is a dynamic metropolis, the 'Gateway to Europe'. A city that is constantly reinventing itself. But above all, Rotterdam is a city you have to experience for yourself.

And now you’ve come here to study, I want to invite you to discover Rotterdam in full. This is the place to let your talents blossom. Rotterdam offers endless opportunities to take your career to great heights. There are many extraordinary and interesting employers and there is a wide range of opportunities for entrepreneurship.

Let our city challenge you to reinvent yourself in a way that suits you! And if you take up the challenge, we will face a bright future together. I look forward to your arrival and I will see you soon in Rotterdam!'

Former Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb

Warning!

Thinking of studying in Rotterdam? Please, only come to Rotterdam if you have arranged accommodation!

Are you planning to study in Rotterdam after this summer? Have you already arranged your (student) accommodation?

If not, we urge you to search for accommodation as soon as possible. Do not wait until your study starts. It will be already too late by then. Please consider only coming to Rotterdam if you have arranged your accommodation.

Rotterdam is becoming more and more popular as a student city. Many students do not only wish to study in Rotterdam but also want to live here: to experience student life, or because they live too far away to travel back and forth. Therefore, it is even more important for international students to arrange student accommodation in time. It is not easy to find (student) accommodation due to a severe housing shortage in the city. There are already tens of thousands of students living in student accommodation in Rotterdam and many more students are coming to study and live here each year. As a result, the pressure on the housing market is high. Therefore, do start your search for student housing. Link opens an external page as soon as possible!

Immigration

Do you want to study in the Netherlands? If you come to the Netherlands to live, work or study, you are likely to have some questions about the arrangements you need to make. For a stay of over 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit unless you come from a country that belongs to the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

Your home in Rotterdam

Regulations and utilities

Starting your own business

Other subjects

Links to useful (government) websites

'Above all, Rotterdam is a city you have to experience for yourself.'
Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam

Questions and answers

More information

Rotterdam City Information Line: 14 010. You can call us from Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 20.00 hrs. On Saturday between 9.00 and 17.00 hrs.

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