Practical info
You’d like to take the In Search of Meaning program at HAN? What about visas, housing and insurance? Get answers to all your practical questions here.
Visas
To enroll in the In Search of Meaning program you might need an entry visa and/or a residence permit. Follow the handy guideline to find out which visas and permits you need. Also, find out which documents you need to submit and when.
Housing
Interested in joining the In Search of Meaning program? Wondering where you’ll stay? The HAN Housing Office arranges rooms for exchange students in Nijmegen. You rent the room from August to January or February to July. Non-EU/EEA student? Paid the financial guarantee? Then a room is reserved for you automatically.
Arrival info
Arriving from Amsterdam Schiphol airport? From there you can take a train to Nijmegen. The train station is directly underneath the airport. It takes a little over 1,5 hour by train to Nijmegen. Make sure you arrive in time for the HAN’s On: International Welcome Days. This introduction program helps you get settled into student life at HAN.
Other practical matters
Once you arrive in the Netherlands there are other practical matters you need to consider. Like what is the cost of living? Do I need insurance? How does public transport work in the Netherlands? Am I allowed to get a part-time job? Find the answers below.
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Insurance
When coming to the Netherlands to study, you need to have good insurance. Health insurance is the most important. Are you from the EU/EEA? Your health insurance policy in your home country might cover you. Non-EU/EEA students receive health insurance through the financial guarantee. Other useful insurances are liability insurance, repatriation insurance and household contents insurance.
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Working
The rules on working depend on your nationality. All international students working in the Netherlands must have Dutch public health insurance.
Are you from the EU/EEA? Then you are free to work in the Netherlands.
Are you from outside the EU/EEA? Then you are free to do self-employed work. To work for an employer, you need a work permit and the hours are restricted.
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Public transport
The Netherlands has excellent public transport. In the Nijmegen and Arnhem area you can get almost everywhere by train or bus. In the bigger cities, you can also use the tram or metro. To pay for these services you use an OV chip card (OV-chipkaart in Dutch).
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Government
When living in the Netherlands, you need a citizen service number (BSN). This number is important for all your dealings with the government. For example, to open a bank account or to visit a doctor. You get a BSN number after registering at city hall.
Cost of living
As a rule of thumb, you need about €1000 a month as a student in Arnhem or Nijmegen to live comfortably. Want to know more about monthly expenses and how to save money? Read more on our cost of living page.
| What | Approx. cost per month |
| Renting a furnished room + utilities | €350-€400 |
| Food from the grocery store | €180 |
| Insurance costs | €100 |
| Books and study materials | €340 |
| Public transport | €50-€100 |
| Telephone costs | €30 |
Other expenses depend on your spending patterns. To give you an idea of these costs:
| What | Approx. price |
| Movie ticket | € 10 |
| Meal in a simple café | € 15 |
| Coffee/tea or soft drink on a terrace | € 2.50 - € 3.00 |
Location
HAN Nijmegen campus
Kapittelweg 33
6525 EN Nijmegen
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