International students: Let them stay!

The CPB’s figures on international students cast the government’s policy in a curious light (“International Students: ‘Added Value’” in NRC, September 1, 2026). A university graduate from outside the EEA generates an average of more than €240,000 for the Dutch treasury. At the same time, the government is seeking to cut costs by reducing the number of international students.

Maybe we're looking at the wrong number. It's not the number of international students that's most interesting, but the number who stay in the Netherlands to work after graduation.

There's still a lot to be gained there.

Let’s start with the expat tax scheme, formerly known as the 30% rule. Anyone who comes to work for a Dutch employer directly from abroad may be eligible for it. But a foreign student who has first studied in the Netherlands for a few years often no longer meets the residency requirement. That’s difficult to explain. Why should we be more tax-friendly toward someone who doesn’t yet know the Netherlands than toward someone who was educated here and subsequently wants to continue working here? For this group, exclude the years spent studying from the residency test. And while you’re at it, ask yourself whether further tightening of the scheme starting in 2027 is wise.

In addition, the government should distinguish much more clearly between different degree programs. An international engineering student who, after graduation, goes on to work at ASML, an engineering firm, or an energy company has a different economic impact than a student for whom there is virtually no demand in the local job market. A blanket policy of admitting fewer international students is therefore a very crude approach.

Finally, the Netherlands could do more to actually keep graduates here. The “search year” already exists, but language instruction, internships, and connections with Dutch employers could be a much more natural part of an international degree program.

The CPB actually highlights an opportunity. The Netherlands doesn’t necessarily need to attract more international students. Above all, we need to be more selective about who we attract, and ensure that those our economy needs don’t leave right after they finish their studies.