1. Quick Summary Box (“If you’re in a hurry”)

What this guide covers:
A complete overview of the student discounts available in the Netherlands, including transport, groceries, culture, entertainment, gyms, retail, tech, insurance, and city-specific benefits.

Who it’s for:
International students who want to understand every discount they are eligible for and learn where to access them.

Key takeaway:
Dutch student discounts can reduce your monthly cost of living by €100 - €250 when applied consistently - and most require only a student ID, university email, or Dutch IBAN.

2. What students usually struggle with

Many international students arrive without knowing how discount systems work in the Netherlands. Students in the Brave Ones community often share:

• They don’t know where to find student-only deals.

• They hear about discounts months after arriving.

• Many discounts are hidden behind apps or student verification pages.

• They are unsure which ones are universal vs. city-specific.

• Dutch sign-up pages make the process confusing.

This guide fills in every gap by giving you a complete picture of all available student discounts - across all categories.

3. All Student Discounts in the Netherlands (2025 Overview)

This section provides a comprehensive list of discount categories so students can quickly see every opportunity available.

A. Transport Discounts

1. NS Flex Dal Voordeel & Weekend Voordeel

• Save 40% on off-peak and weekend train travel.

• Requires a personal OV-chipkaart + Dutch IBAN.

2. GVB, RET, HTM City Transport Discounts

City-based operators offer discounted monthly passes for:

• Amsterdam (GVB)

• Rotterdam (RET)

• The Hague (HTM)

Prices vary by city.

3. OV-Bike Discounts

Students using OV-bike rental get cheaper rates through subscription bundles.

B. Grocery & Supermarket Discounts

1. Albert Heijn Bonuskaart

Activate weekly digital discounts via the AH app.

2. Lidl Plus

Weekly coupons, scratch-card rewards, and student-friendly bundles.

3. Jumbo Extra’s

Earn points for discounts on household essentials.

4. Picnic Delivery

Low-cost delivery for students living in student housing clusters.

C. Culture & Entertainment Discounts

1. Museumkaart

Unlimited entry to 450+ museums.
Highly cost-effective for cultural students.

2. Cineville Pass

Unlimited movies in 60+ cinemas nationwide.

3. Public Library Cards (Bibliotheek)

Students get low-cost or free access to:

• Study spaces

• Book borrowing

• Digital resources

• Dutch language learning materials

4. Student Theatre & Music Discounts

Almost every Dutch city offers:

• €5–€12 student theatre tickets

• Last-minute student seats at concert halls

• University cultural centres with discounted workshops

D. Fitness & Lifestyle Discounts

1. Gym Memberships

Students get lower pricing at:

• Basic-Fit

• Fit For Free

• City gyms

• University Sports Centres (USC)

• SportKaart

2. Student Bike Plans (Swapfiets)

Unlimited repair service included - ideal for internationals.

3. Thrift Stores & Second-Hand Markets

Cities like Utrecht, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam offer student discounts at select kringloop stores.

E. Tech, Software & Electronics Discounts

1. UNiDAYS

10–50% off global brands like:

• Apple Music

• ASOS

• Adidas

• Samsung

• Microsoft

2. Student Beans

Similar to UNiDAYS with additional Dutch retail partners.

3. ISIC Card Benefits

Travel, shopping, hostels, museums, and tech discounts worldwide.

4. University Software Licensing

Most Dutch universities offer free or discounted access to:

• Microsoft Office

• Adobe Creative Cloud (discounted)

• SPSS

• MATLAB

• VPNs

• Cloud storage

F. Retail & Fashion Discounts

Large Dutch retailers frequently offer student deals:

• H&M

• Zalando

• About You

• Decathlon

• Bol.com

• Levi’s

Most require UNiDAYS or Student Beans verification.

G. Student Housing & City-Level Discounts

Some cities offer additional perks, such as:

• Amsterdam: museum + theatre student programs

• Rotterdam: student sports memberships

• Groningen: discounted cycling repairs & cultural passes

• Eindhoven: technology student packages

These offers change yearly - universities publish updated lists each semester.

H. Travel & International Discounts

Students with ISIC or UNiDAYS get:

• Hostelworld discounts

• FlixBus/Eurolines offers

• Ryanair/Wizz Air occasional student pricing

• Eurail youth passes

I. Healthcare & Insurance Discounts

While insurers cannot offer student pricing for mandatory coverage, many offer:

• Gift cards for switching insurers

• Free additional modules for students

• Discounts on dental packages

• Gym or lifestyle reimbursements

Some student associations also negotiate group discounts.

4. Requirements / Documents

You may need one or more of the following:

• Student ID or enrolment letter

• University email address for verification

• Personal OV-chipkaart (transport)

• Dutch IBAN for subscriptions

• Passport or EU ID

• City registration (BSN) - rarely required for discounts

• Proof of age (for youth pricing)

5. Important details international students should know

• Most Dutch discounts require digital activation - nothing happens automatically.

• Many offers are valid for all students, including exchange, Master’s, HBO, and international preparatory year students.

• Subscriptions like Cineville and NS Flex auto-renew, so track renewal dates.

• University cities often hide great discounts in Dutch-only pages - check your university’s “Student Services” or “Culture & Sports” sections.

• Always compare discounts before buying a paid plan - free alternatives are common.

• Many discounts require re-verification each academic year.

6. Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Mistake 1: Not using apps to unlock discounts
Apps like AH and Lidl require activation to work.

Mistake 2: Buying subscriptions without checking usage
Cineville or NS Flex only pay off if used regularly.

Mistake 3: Missing university-specific benefits
Many universities offer sports or software benefits students never use.

Mistake 4: Overlooking city-level cultural discounts
Cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht provide special programs for students.

Mistake 5: Assuming discounts don’t apply to internationals
Almost all Dutch offers apply equally to international students.