So, you made it to Eindhoven. Bags unpacked and the introduction week survived? Time to start your student life! The first weeks can feel like a whirlwind. New city, new people, new routines. Don’t worry, we’ve got you with a no-nonsense starter pack for student life in Eindhoven. 

First, get the basics sorted 

Register in Eindhoven
Before you start your stay in Eindhoven, you must register with the municipality. You need to register within 5 days after arriving in the Netherlands. Registration with the municipality is free of charge. Make an appointment to register and go to the counter at ‘Inwonersplein’ at the municipality (Stadhuisplein 1A). You can make an appointment online or by calling 14 040.

You need to bring a valid proof of identity (passport or ID card), your rental contract for your new home address, and proof that you’re a student at a Dutch school or university. Read more about moving to Eindhoven here. After registering, you'll receive a citizen service number (BSN) from the municipality. You need this number to create a DigiD account, which you need to communicate with the government, apply for benefits, open a Dutch bank account, and more.

Visit the 'inwonersplein' at the municipality to register yourself in Eindhoven. © Picture by Gemeente Eindhoven

Open a Dutch bank account
In the Netherlands, most daily payments are made with cash, debit cards, or internet banking. By opening a bank account, you automatically get access to internet banking. As a student, you can open a bank account for free (studentenrekening). There are many options for banks in the Netherlands. Big banks that offer English information and support are ABN Amro or ING. Rabobank, SNS Bank, and ASN Bank are other popular options. You can apply for a Dutch bank account online or by visiting one of their offices. 

Get your health insurance sorted
Everyone who lives in the Netherlands is legally obliged to take out basic health insurance. Basic health insurance covers the costs of consulting a general practitioner, hospital treatment, and medication. You may opt to take out additional insurance to cover costs not included in your basic health insurance – such as physiotherapy or (extra) dental care. It's not mandatory to take additional insurance. Read more about Dutch health insurance here.

Housing allowance (huurtoeslag)
It’s important to check if you’re entitled to receive a housing allowance (huurtoeslag) from the Dutch government. We’ll share all the details and guide you through the application process in our blog about housing allowance in 2025. Do you need help during the application process? Visit the Tax Service Office website or call the Tax Information Line.

Student finance (studiefinanciering)
If you're registered as a student at an MBO, HBO, or university, you can receive financial support for your education: student finance. Whether you qualify depends on your age, course, nationality, or residency status. The amount you can receive depends, among other things, on your parents' income and whether you live at home or independently. You can apply for student finance via Mijn DUO.

Time to furnish
A place to stay is one thing, but not all rental places include furniture. If you're renting an unfurnished or semi-furnished place, hit up IKEA, Marktplaats, Facebook Marketplace, or ‘kringloop’ (second-hand) stores to score affordable furniture and decoration to make your home cozy. In Eindhoven, popular second-hand stores are Karoessel at Edisonstraat, Het Goed at Meerenakkerweg, or Doorstroom at Joris Minnestraat.

How to quickly settle in

Must-have apps 
Make sure to download some essential mobile apps to navigate life in Eindhoven like a pro. These are our tips to make life in Eindhoven a bit easier: 

• With Tikkie (App Store or Google Play), you can create payment requests to send via WhatsApp. Must-have if you want to split a bill.
• As mentioned above, 9292 (App Store or Google Play) is a great app to get around by public transportation. It has all the travel info you need, from up-to-date schedules and delays to useful details about your journey.
• In case you haven’t experienced it already, the weather in the Netherlands is unpredictable, to say the least. Buienradar (App Store or Google Play) is one of the most reliable weather sources that you can use in the Netherlands.
• Need to translate something on the spot? Google Lens (App Store or Google Play) is the app you need. It allows you to perform visual searches using your phone’s camera, providing information on objects, text, or barcodes. By the way, it’s good to practice some basic Dutch with Duolingo (App Store or Google Play). It’s a fun way to learn the language.
  

Besides these apps, we’ve lined up some other apps you can use during your stay in the Netherlands. Read them all here.

Study spots in Eindhoven
Let’s be real, student life isn’t just about late nights and endless parties. At the end of the day, you came to Eindhoven to get that degree. Whether it’s cramming for exams or working on group projects, it’s good to know that there are plenty of spots where you can study in peace. A change of scenery can do your focus good!

Our tips: TU/e library, the public library at De Witte Dame, or one of the many coffee spots, such as Koffiehuisje, DENF Coffee, Lucifer Coffee, or The Social Hub. Tip: Always double-check if you can sit there for a longer time with your laptop!

Get around as a local
Eindhoven is compact, chill, and bike-friendly. To get around, we recommend buying a second-hand bike or getting yourself a subscription to Swap Bike. Wherever you live in Eindhoven, everything’s a short 10- to 15-minute bike ride away. 

Too lazy to bike? Then, public transportation is always an option. No trams here, but the buses and trains are fast and reliable. Get an OV-chipkaart and download the 9292 app to make your life easier. And good news: students travel for free or at a reduced rate with the ‘student travel product’. You need a personal OV-chipkaart to use your student travel product. Read more about traveling with a student travel product on this website.

Want to read more about cycling in the Netherlands? Check our blogs about the do's and don'ts when cycling and everything about the Dutch cycling rules.

Social life and nightlife 

Nailed the introduction week in Eindhoven? Great! Hopefully, you learned a bit more about your study and started bonding with your fellow students. Maybe you already explored a bit of Eindhoven as well. Adapting to a new social environment can feel both exciting and a bit daunting, especially when you're far from home.

Join a student association
Student associations are a big part of university culture in Eindhoven. Eindhoven has more than 60 student associations, from academic groups to sports teams, cultural clubs, and social associations. These organizations not only offer great ways to meet people but also give you a taste of Dutch customs and traditions. You might have met some of them already at the introduction week. You can find an overview here. Don’t hesitate to join one!

Look for a sport or a hobby
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Eindhoven’s social life is by joining a local sports club or picking up a hobby. It’s common for students to balance their academic life with an active lifestyle. Whether you’re interested in competitive sports or simply looking for a fun way to stay fit, there’s something for everyone.

Studentensportcentrum Eindhoven (SSC) is located at TU/e and consists of 38 student sports associations, with members from both TU/e and Fontys Hogescholen. The facilities offer all kinds of sports, from football and tennis to swimming, rowing, and bouldering. Many of these clubs host social events, matches, and trips, making it easy to bond with teammates. Find all clubs here.

If sports aren’t your thing, or if you’re looking for something more low-key, consider picking up a hobby that interests you. From photography classes and art workshops to language exchange groups, there are many ways to explore your interests while meeting like-minded people.

Meet your neighbors
If you’re living in student housing, like the ones managed by Holland2Stay, you’ll also find socializing in communal spaces to be a great way to connect with others. If your new neighbors haven’t already organized something, set up events like game nights, movie screenings, and potluck dinners, where you can meet people from all over the world. Engaging in these activities is a fantastic way to make friends and ease the transition into a new country.

Start learning Dutch
Finally, learning a bit of Dutch can go a long way in making connections. While most Dutch people speak English fluently, and you'll likely find no language barriers in university settings, making an effort to learn a few Dutch phrases is always appreciated. Even simple greetings like 'hoi' (hi) or 'tot ziens' (see you later) can make a positive impression and show that you're making an effort to adapt to the local culture. Read some tips about learning Dutch here.

Nightlife in Eindhoven
In Eindhoven, Thursday is the most popular night to go out. Markt is the central square of Eindhoven, with terraces, cafes, and spots for a laid-back night out. It’s a great place to start the night, before diving into a more intense party mood at Stratumseind.

Stratumseind is the longest pub street in the Netherlands, and yes, it lives up to the hype. Think over 50 pubs, bars, and clubs crammed into a small street. From brown cafes to booming dancefloors, it’s all there. Popular student spots at Stratumseind are The Fat One, Feestcafé Witte Gij’t, Café Bar ‘t Lempke, Café Costa, and Kafee Kix.

This is the central square in Eindhoven: Markt. Filled with terraces, this is a great student spot to go in summer ánd winter!