What to Pack for Study Abroad in the Netherlands

You’ve got accepted into your Dutch university or study abroad program and you’re ready to depart. Wondering what to pack for study abroad in the Netherlands? We’ve got you covered. Filling your suitcase to move away for a year or several months may seem intimidating, but it’s easier than you think.

This will be waiting for you, so hurry up!

Study abroad in the Netherlands is a great way to upgrade your resume, while at the same time offering you a unique experience in one of the most progressive countries in the world. But let’s start with a little metaknowledge on the climate and culture in the Netherlands, so you’re better able to decide what’s important to take with you—and what’s not.

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What is the climate like in the Netherlands?

If you’d look at altitude on the map, you would expect the Netherlands to have a climate like Canada. Luckily, the Gulf Stream and proximity to the North Sea ensures a milder climate: relatively warm winters and cool summers.

It’s also windy most of the time, and this causes the weather conditions to change quickly. Did you wake up with a beautiful blue sky and bright sun shining through the window? You can bet that will change throughout the day multiple times.

The last thing to know is that the sun shines for a few hours each year. But when it does, all the Dutch people try to get some vitamin D, and you can easily find all the terrasjes (outdoor cafes) completely packed with people.

So...what should you pack for the Netherlands?

What to pack for study abroad in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a developed country, so in theory you could come here with a small backpack and be able buy everything you need once you arrive. In practice, that would be a waste of money, so let’s go over some things that are good to bring from home.

1. Clothing

Bring the essentials and keep it cafe casual.

Dutch people dress casual. Whatever your style is, you’ll find people wearing it here. Most people are open to other cultures and points of view, so you can wear whatever you’re used to at home. Here’s what you should be considering taking with you:

University/regular clothes

Essentials:

• Warm jacket that’s windproof
• Light jacket
• Regular sneakers
• 2-4 light, short-sleeved tops
• 1-2 long-sleeved tops
• 2 warm sweaters
• 1-2 pairs of shorts/skirts
• 1-2 pairs of jeans
• 5-7 pairs of underwear
• 2-3 bras (plus sports bra)
• 3-7 pairs of socks (depending on climate and job)

You’ll rarely find people going to class in business attire, so be sure to bring casual outfits to wear at university. This doesn’t mean you can show up for class in sweatpants though. First impressions matter, and Dutch people and other internachos generally aim to look neat and not out of place.

This also depends on what you’re going to study. Some universities, such as the agricultural university Wageningen or the technical universities in Delft, are more casual than others, like economics/social studies-oriented universities, such as in Rotterdam, Leiden, and Utrecht.

There are also some colleges that require students to wear business attire, such as de Hogere Hotelschool in The Hague and Maastricht. So be sure to check your program if there is any specific clothing you need to wear while studying.

Going out attire

Essentials:

• Nice pair of shoes
• 1-2 dress shirts or dresses

Clubbing in the Netherlands is less fancy than in many other countries. Students mainly drink beer and wine, and many clubs don’t even offer the possibility of renting a table. People do try their best to look good, so a safe option would be to take what you’re wearing on a regular basis, and upgrade a little bit.

For guys, this can mean to wear a dress shirt instead of a t-shirt, and for girls to wear a skirt instead of pants.

Dutch people in general are not as brand-oriented as other countries, and in some cases people might give you weird looks if you walk around in all-expensive brands.

Sport clothes

Essentials:

• Sneakers for wearing in the gym or playing sports
• Work out clothes
• Swimsuit

If you plan on playing a specific sport in the Netherlands, it’s good to already bring the right clothing with you. Or if you enjoy going to the gym or going for a run, bring those clothes with you as well.

Just don’t text and ride!

2. Devices

Dutch power plugs and sockets are type C and F. Standard voltage is 230V and standard frequency is 50Hz, so you may need to bring some adapters if you want to bring your own charging cables for your devices. It can be difficult to find those adapters once you arrive, so don’t show up empty-handed with a laptop charged at 20%.

Whatever devices you use at home, you can use them in the Netherlands. The great thing about modern technology is that each device becomes more multi-functional every year, so you don’t need to bring much with you.

Essentials:

• Laptop + charger
• Phone + charger
• Headphones 
• Adapter (if necessary)

All the other things you may need depend on whether you use them at home, such as eReaders or photography equipment. It’s also advisable to bring an extra hard drive, to back up your university files (though you can also back up most of these in the cloud).

3. Documents

Maybe the most common sense—and most important—item on the list. Don’t forget to bring your documents:

• Passport
• Visa
• Driver’s license
• Health insurance card

4. Financials

The Dutch barely used cash before Covid-19, so you don’t need to bring large amounts of cash with you. Still, it’s never a bad idea to have some cash in your wallet. Also be sure to bring a regular debit card AND credit card, as some places do not accept Mastercard, Visa, or American Express. Maestro cards are universally accepted.

• Debit card (preferably Maestro)
• Credit card
• Some cash (50-100 euro)

5. Toiletries

All general toiletries can be bought in the Netherlands, though some (branded) cosmetics can be more expensive than in other countries. So unless you’re coming from Scandinavia, USA, or Canada, it’s good to bring your own cosmetics if you don’t want to spend a small fortune on buying them again here.

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
• Deodorant
• Soap, shampoo, conditioner

6. Dutch language guide

Even though every student/professor you meet will have a good level of English, it’s smart to learn at least basic Dutch. This will allow you to better integrate into society, make more friends, and have a more complete experience in the Netherlands.

And there are countless instances of people coming here for “only a few months” who decide they don’t need Dutch—but end up staying for years, effectively hindering their existence by not speaking Dutch. You don’t want to be that person!

So bring a good textbook or Dutch course with you, or sign up for classes in the Netherlands while there.

Don’t lug one of these through an airport.

Note: Do NOT bring your bike with you

The Netherlands is the biking capital of the world. Everyone bikes, and if you’re going to study here, you are going to bike. That’s a fact. But you don’t need to bring your own bike from home. That would just be extra effort and money to transfer it by plane.

And even if you have a great bike at home, it’s better not to bring it. Expensive bikes often get stolen, and soon after you arrive you’ll see that all students ride on old, cheap bicycles.

Essential items to pack for study abroad in the Netherlands by season

Because of the Gulf Stream and the sea climate, it’s possible to experience multiple seasons in a day. So in general it doesn’t matter which semester you are going to study; you need to prepare for all weather conditions. Still, here are some season-specific recommendations:

Fall semester

In fall you’re going to experience rain. A lot of it. It’s better to be prepared, so bring:

• Umbrella
• Rain coat
• Windproof gloves if you plan on biking
• Scarf
• Water-proof cosmetics

Spring semester

Spring is a magical time in the Netherlands as you’ll see beautiful flowers start to bloom everywhere. If you have the chance to bike around Lisse in Zuid Holland, it’s a great time to do so as the bulk of Dutch flowers are grown here. For spring take with you:

• Sun screen
• Sun glasses

Summer semester

Summer semester is comparable to spring semester, though it will be warmer. You don’t need to bring anything special, though it’s smart to still bring some clothes for colder days, as summer is quite cold compared to what you may be used to:

• Sun screen
• Sun glasses
• Sandals/flip flops

Pack your suitcase and get going! Adventure awaits.

Check off everything on your study abroad packing list for the Netherlands!

You’re going to have a blast studying in the Netherlands. The quality of education (and life!) is high, so you’ve got all you need to make it into a great time. Here’s a quick recap of what to bring with you:

• Casual outfits
• A dressed-up outfit
• Sports clothes
• Documents 
• Credit cards
• Toiletries

That’s it. And don’t stress too much—if you forget something, you can always buy it there. Enjoy your study abroad in the Netherlands!

Explore all study abroad programs in the Netherlands on GoAbroad.com