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In 2025, there were 15,200 researchers from outside the EEA in the Netherlands. China was the most common country of origin, followed by India, Iran, Türkiye, and the United States. 80% of these researchers worked at a research university, with TU Delft employing the largest number.

In 2025, there were 16,120 graduates with an orientation year permit. China was the most common county of origin for the holders of this permit, followed by India, Iran, Türkiye and Indonesia.

In the academic year 2024-25, Germany remains the most common country of origin for international degree students in the Netherlands. It is followed by Italy (2nd), Romania (3rd), Spain (4th), and China (5th).

Economics is the most common field of study among international degree students both at universities of applied sciences and research universities in 2024-25.

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) enrolls the most international degree students, followed by Maastricht University (UM) and the University of Groningen (RUG). Over half of all students at UM are international.

A visualisation of incoming mobility trends for the academic years 2006-2007 to 2024-2025.

Dutch higher education institutions received 51,796 new enrolments from international students for the academic year 2024-25. Germany remains the most common country of origin for newly enrolled international students. It is followed by Italy (2nd), China (3rd), Romania (4th), and Spain (5th).

Almost 26% of the international students who studied in the Netherlands still live here 5 years after graduating.

Of all VET graduates who obtained their diploma in 2022, 3.8% had completed a study-related period abroad.

The top destination countries of outbound VET students doing a registered work placement. Most of them went to a country in the European Economic Area.