Save on Dutch university fees for your children with independent residence rights

Dutch immigration law offers several pathways for children to secure independent residence. Importantly, some of these options also provide access to significantly lower university tuition fees, which can potentially save families thousands of euros.

Residence as a family member

Family reunification is, in principle, limited to partners and minor children (under 18). Once children have been issued residence permits as family members, their permits can be renewed even after turning 18 if they remain members of your household. Children are no longer considered members of your household if:

• They live independently and can support themselves financially; or 
• If they start their own family through marriage or a relationship.

However, children who move out to pursue full-time higher education in the Netherlands are still considered members of your household.

Independent residence right

When your children become more independent, it may make sense for them to obtain their own residence permit or even become Dutch citizens. This will allow your child to remain in the Netherlands while you can explore opportunities in other countries.

Humanitarian non-temporary permit

After one year of legal residence as a family member, children can become eligible for an independent non-temporary humanitarian residence permit. Once the humanitarian non-temporary permit is issued, your child’s residence right is no longer tied to your residence right. Your child’s permit can only be revoked if they move abroad or commit a serious criminal offence.

Permanent residence

After five years of legal residence in the Netherlands, you can also apply for permanent residence on behalf of your children. While only children above 13 are eligible for permanent residence on national grounds, there is no minimum age for EU long-term residence, which is arguably a stronger residence right than permanent residence on national grounds.

Minors are exempt from the civic integration requirement for permanent residence and EU long-term residence. If your child is older than 18, they may still be exempt if they resided in the Netherlands for eight years between the ages of 5 and 16. 

Need advice for your situation? Contact Everaert Advocaten

Dutch citizenship

Minors cannot apply for naturalisation independently. They can naturalise together with you. While adults are, in principle, required to renounce their other citizenship after becoming Dutch, minors can establish dual citizenship.

If you are not prepared to naturalise, your child may apply for Dutch citizenship when they turn 18. If your child attended a Dutch high school or passed Dutch classes in their IB programme, they may be able to use their diploma for their Dutch citizenship request.

If you and your child moved to the Netherlands before your child turned 4, they can apply for Dutch citizenship via the option procedure. This is significantly cheaper and faster than naturalisation. 

Be aware that in this situation, they must renounce their original nationality(ies). If they were born in the Netherlands and they apply as an adult, they do not have to renounce their other citizenship. 

Study permit

If other options are not available, a student residence permit may be a good option for your child to continue living in the Netherlands independently. However, it is tied to a specific higher education institution and is considered temporary, making it the least secure long-term option.

Reduced tuition fees

One often-overlooked benefit of your child acquiring permanent residence in the EU, long-term residence, or Dutch citizenship is that they may be eligible for lower tuition fees and financial aid when studying at a Dutch higher education institution.

In the Netherlands, tuition fees for university are divided into two categories:

• Statutory tuition fees (wettelijk collegegeld)
• Institutional tuition fees

Dutch, Surinamese and EU nationals only pay statutory tuition fees (wettelijk collegegeld), which is €2.694 for a full-time study programme during the academic year 2026-2027. The institutional tuition fees depend on the exact programme and faculty, but they often range from €10.000 to €30.000 for an academic year.

Holders of a permanent residence permit or an EU long-term residence permit and their dependents are treated as Dutch nationals for tuition fees. This means that if you or your child becomes a permanent resident or EU long-term resident, your child will be eligible for the statutory tuition fees.

More options than you might realise

Children of highly skilled migrants in the Netherlands have more options than many families realise. With the right planning, they can move from dependent status to independent residence, permanent residence, or even Dutch citizenship.

Each step offers greater stability and flexibility, not only in terms of residence rights, but also in access to opportunities such as affordable higher education.

Because these pathways depend heavily on timing and individual circumstances, it is important to review your child’s situation well in advance. Taking a proactive approach can make a lasting difference to their future in the Netherlands.