I’m going to study outside the Netherlands and I already receive student finance from DUO. What arrangements do I need to make?

You can keep your student finance if:

• your course or internship abroad is part of your studies in the Netherlands, and
• you will still be enrolled as a full-time student for your course in the Netherlands. It does not matter which country you go to. 

Are you planning to start a new course abroad after you have completed your current studies in the Netherlands? Whether you will still be eligible for student finance depends on the course you have completed, and the course you plan to do. Complete the DUO guide to switching courses (in Dutch) to see whether you will still get student finance.

You will have to suspend your student travel product as you cannot use it outside the Netherlands. You can do this at any public transport ticket vending machine in the Netherlands. You can find these machines in bus and railway stations and shops. 

Find out more about suspending your student travel product (DUO) 

Instead of a student travel product, you can apply for a public transport allowance. If you are going abroad but want to keep your student travel product, you do not need to apply for a public transport allowance.

You cannot use your student travel product outside the Netherlands. You can suspend your student travel product and get a public transport allowance instead. Apply for your public transport allowance at least 2 months before you go abroad. 

To apply you need to complete the application form for a public transport allowance and/or grant for students living away from home. Your school/university will also have to complete part of the form.

Find out more about the public transport allowance (DUO) (information in Dutch)

You must suspend your student travel product from the moment you receive a public transport allowance. Otherwise you will get a fine. 

Find out more about suspending your student travel product (DUO) 

If you are an MBO student who still lives at home, and you are going abroad as part of your Dutch MBO training course, you will be eligible for a higher basic grant. This is because you will not be living at home during your period abroad.

Find out more about applying for a basic grant for MBO students living away from home (DUO) (information in Dutch)

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