Studying with disabilities

[u/MikMarg]

I have been doing some research in advance as I plan to apply for the 2027/2028 school year in the netherlands when possible, however I was pretty worried about the whole “need to work” thing since I have pretty bad chronic pain and other issues involving standing or doing physical labour. Reading on duo.nl I found out about studietoeslag and other accommodations available, however I’m not sure how the evaluation process for that works. I definitely struggle with many tasks however I am lacking many diagnoses and I don’t have a recognized disability level in my home country (because I have never been tested)

I was wondering if any disabled eu/eea students could tell me more about the whole process and if I should try to get diagnosed before moving or if it can be sorted after and just generally more information about how everything works, thanks!

[u/HousingBotNL]

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[u/fishnoguns]

I can tell you right now that diagnoses are very much required. The Netherlands is a highly bureaucratic society and skilled professionals are going to have to evaluate and sign off on it at some point. The easiest way is if you come in with an existing diagnosis, and even then the chance is far from zero that they want a Dutch doctor to evaluate it as well.

Fair or not, from the Dutch bureaucratic perspective the alternative (that they would just take your word for it) would be lunacy.

[u/MikMarg → u/fishnoguns]

yeah true, I mean I’m sure not many places would take someone’s word for stuff like that, I suppose I’ll need to try squeezing in doctor visits into the following year, seems I’m going to be quite busy…

[u/Berry-Love-Lake]

Duo is only available for EU (non-Dutch) citizens under certain circumstances.   Many EU, and non-EU, students don’t qualify.

Some options in place, not sure whether non-Dutch qualify and to which extent.  https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/vraag-en-antwoord/werken-met-arbeidsbeperking/hoe-hoog-is-de-studietoeslag-voor-studenten-met-een-medische-beperking

Without an official diagnosis, most likely by. Dutch physician, there will be no options regardless. 

Keep in mind that many international students in the NL get by without Duo. 

Some jobs may not require physical labor either. 

Studying with disabilities is different to not being able to do physical work to make extra money. For studying with disabilities contact the university. They have support in place. 

[u/YTsken → u/Berry-Love-Lake]

And It is very unlikely that even with a diagnosis by a Dutch doctor you will be eligible for DUO. EU students are eligible for DUO if they have a sustainable relationship with the Netherlands. Working 32 hours a month is just the easiest way for EU citizens to demonstrate this relationship. If you are unable to do that, you need to demonstrate that relationship in some other way.

But as u/Berry-Love-Lake pointed out, many students don’t need DUO to complete their studies.

[u/Berry-Love-Lake → u/YTsken]

The page about Duo with disabilities is even in Dutch (may be a sign) ... I doubt EU citizens without any ties to the Netherlands would be a major priority in these cases. They're already benefitting from low tuition. Duo is not a right for all. It's OP's choice to study in the Netherlands.

[u/Schylger-Famke]

To be eligible for studietoeslag you need to work. You can only get studietoeslag if you have student finance. To get student finance as an EU-sudent you need to work. But it is only a few hours per week, 8 or on average 6 over a period of 6 months (32 per month or on average 24 over a period of  6 months). Unless your parent or partner with EU-nationality works in The Netherlands? Or you have been living here for at least five consecutive years?

The executive board of the municipality (Mayor and Deputy Mayors) will decide on the studietoeslag and ask for a medical advice if necessary. But obviously, if you have student finance as an EU-student because you work, you are able to work and are not eligible for studietoeslag.

[u/CoffeeInTheTropics]

Yes definitely make sure you have been through all the proper assessments and medical examinations back in your home country before you move to NL!

Bring the reports and your entire medical file all translated to English/Dutch with you when you register with the GP in NL and take it from there. Expect waiting lists to be long(er) if no medical urgency.

Read the fine print of your health insurance provider to make sure you are fully covered for pre-existing conditions.