Getting started

Before starting your student life, there are many practical matters to be arranged. You will need to find accommodation, open a Dutch bank account and you might want to learn to speak Dutch. We are happy to help you get started.

If you need assistance with something, or you have a question. Please do not hesitate to ask for our help.

As Campus Venlo is located in the historic center of the city, you will easily find your way to the many shops, restaurants and bars the city offers. The city is your campus! Venlo is home to several annual cultural events, like Zomerparkfeest and Lekker Venlo . Sports lovers can also enjoy themselves. The large number of sports associations offer you the possibility to practice nearly everything, from diving to climbing. The different annual sporting events will even bring sports to your doorstep.

Venlo is located in the heart of Europe. It is close to several (international) airports and within 2-3 hours of travelling you will find yourself in Amsterdam or Paris.

Campus Venlo housing facilities

From September 2019 onwards, Campus Venlo offers 28 brand new on-campus student studios within walking distance to the market square, restaurants and cafes and opposite to the city cinema. All studios are furnished and have their own kitchen, bathroom, a combined living and bedroom.

Is your application conditionally approved and are you interested? Send an email to: max[at]greenportvenlo[dot]nl.

You are eligible for a campus Venlo studio if your application for the study programme University College Venlo or the pre master Health Food Innovation Management was conditionally approved.

Download Venlo housing info sheet (pdf)

On Campus housing facilities

Campus Venlo offers on-campus student studio’s within walking distance of the market square, restaurants and cafes and opposite to the city cinema. All studios are furnished and have their own kitchen, bathroom and a combined living and bedroom. Download the PDF with further information.

Student rooms in Venlo

Planning to live in Venlo? Learn more about student rooms and how to find them!

Welcome to Raad van Arbeid studentbuilding in Venlo

Speaking Dutch

Are you starting your studies at Maastricht University but don’t speak Dutch yet? If so, this course might be for you. In seven weeks, you will learn basic Dutch, with a focus on speaking and listening skills.

Click here to register or for more information

Register via the following email address: languagecentre[at]maastrichtuniversity[dot]nl, please do not register via the online registration form.

Housing

Whether it is the first time you live on your own, or you are out of your parental home for years, finding an appartment can be a hassle. Venlo has several corporations that will set you up with a suitable appartment.

Pick-up

Campus Venlo offers pick-up service to international students from train station Venlo. New students will be guided to their accommodation.

The pick-up service is free of charge and offered in January and August. For students starting in February pick-up is available from 17 until 24 August. If you would like to make use of this service, please send us an e-mail.

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Coming from abroad

Registration in the municipality of Venlo

Are you moving to Venlo from outside the Netherlands? Are you planning to stay for at least four months? Then you will need to register in the Municipal Personal Records Database (in Dutch "BRP").

Maastricht University (UM) and the municipality of Venlo would like to help you register. To enable a smooth and quick registration, free registration sessions are organised at the municipality of Venlo on Tuesday morning 25 August 2020. If you move to Venlo please register for a group meeting.

You need to collect and bring the following documents (not older than 6 months):

Original birth certificate Non-EU nationality: maybe you need a apostille or legalisation stamp, check the 'Netherlands and you'- website
A copy of the birth certificate
A certified translation of the birth certificate (only if the original document is not in English, Dutch, French or German)
Original proof of marital status (via an official document you need to prove that you are not married. It is different for every country where to get this kind of document, but you can always call your embassy to inquire or simply google it).
Non-EU nationality: maybe you need a apostille or legalisation stamp, check the 'Netherlands and you'- website
A copy of the marital status
A certified translation of the proof of marital status (only if the original document is not in English, Dutch, French or German).
Valid passport or ID card
UM certificate of enrolment
Filled out form of city hall (available at Campus Venlo or download here)
Proof of residence (signed rental agreement)
Only for students with a non-EU nationality: a copy of your residence permit (front and back) and if you don’t have it yet, a copy of the email from Maastricht University stating that your residence card is available

Please make copies of all these documents beforehand!
You have to hand in the copies at the municipality of Venlo. The originals of all documents will be returned to you at the end of the appointment.

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Already living in the Netherlands

Registration in the municipality of Venlo

Already living in the Netherlands
If you come from abroad, but have lived in another Dutch city before moving to Venlo, a short procedure can be followed. You can visit the City Council. Please bring:

your passport
proof of previous GBA registration

Contact us if you need more information.

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Opening a Dutch bank account

Foreign students only need a Dutch bank account when they do not have a SEPA account in another EU country.

What is SEPA?

SEPA stands for Single Euro Payments Area; a single common payment system within the EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Monaco and San Marino.

What do you need to open a bank account?

A valid form of ID (passport, European ID card, official residence document)
A valid proof of residence

Although ING bank accepts addresses in Belgium and Germany for students from non-SEPA countries, students with a Dutch residence permit (for study or otherwise) are not allowed to live in Belgium or Germany.

UM declaration of application
This form can be obtained at:
Office of Student Affairs
Nassaustraat 36,
5911 BV, Venlo
Room 1.03
An official document with your BSN (burgerservicenummer) on it
If you do not have a BSN, your Tax Identification Number (TIN)

Please note:

It is not possible to open a bank account without one of the above mentioned documents.
Even when they have a Dutch bank account, first-year students requiring a visa/residence permit for study cannot pay their tuition fee by digital authorisation or in installments. They need to transfer the tuition fee in one lump sum prior to the start of the study programme.

Where do you open an account?

ING branch
Keulsepoort 10
5911 BZ, Venlo

Please make an appointment first: via their website

ING Service point
Venlo-Blerick
Kloosterstraat 54
5921 HD, Venlo-Blerick
During opening hours: Monday till Saturday 13.00-17.00 hours – no appointment necessary

Next steps after opening a bank account can be found on the ING website

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Visa

If you are a national of a country other than those within the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you need an entrance visa and/or residence permit to live in the Netherlands for more than three months. The application for this entrance visa and/or residence permit is done by the Visa Office of Maastricht University after you have been (provisionally) admitted. Depending on your nationality, you may also have to do a tuberculosis test. Nationals from an EU-member state or Switzerland may voluntarily register their residence in the Netherlands.

After their arrival, all foreign students need to register in the municipal register of the city where they are going to live.
If you have any questions about residence permits or visas, you can email the Visa Office

Coming from abroad

Registration in the municipality of Venlo

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Already living in the Netherlands

Registration in the municipality of Venlo

Dit is er niet
Opening a Dutch bank account

Dit is er niet
Visa

Dit is er niet

Culture

Limburgs museum

A visit to the Limburgs Museum is a journey of discovery through time, getting to know people who are and feel like we do: what you see is yourself. The museum tells stories that do just that. Inspiring tales that evoke your own memories.

Cultural podium: Grenswerk

Grenswerk is the cultural podium for Venlo and surroundings. All sorts of cultural activities will be performing at Grenswerk, such as concerts, dance parties, rehearsal and recording facilities, volunteerwork, education and more.

City hall

Venlos city hall situated in the historic centre of the city is originaly a castle which was built in the 14th century (and rebuilt in the 16th century). Inside you will find an interior made out of leather and gold. The exterior is adorned with statues of famous people from Venlo.

History

Documents from the 9th century mention Venlo as a trade post; it developed into one of the more important ones in the Meuse-Rhine area, receiving city rights in 1343 and in 1814, after the Napoleonic Wars, it became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

During the Second World War Venlo suffered relatively few damage, although the frontline was pushed to the river Meuse due to the failed military operation: Market Garden. Venlo remained in hands of the Nazis for another three months before the American allies liberated the city.

After WW2, the city of Venlo has been building towards a brighter future. Unfortunately some of the historic architecture had to make way for new buildings, that could be built fast and efficient. However, over the years some of the original architecture has been rebuilt.

In 2003 Venlo was awarded the title "Greenest city of Europe" and won the prestigious 'Best City Centre of the Netherlands' award.

campusvenlo-history.jpg

A map of Venlo (or Venloa, how it was called back then) from 1652

Campus Venlo housing facilities

On Campus housing facilities

Student rooms in Venlo

Welcome to Raad van Arbeid studentbuilding in Venlo

Speaking Dutch

Housing