New Dutch government softens clamp down on English courses and limits on international students

New data from higher education data provider Studyportal shows the importance of international students in the Netherlands, while the country seems to be backing down on its drive to limit international students and ban English-taught programmes in its universities.

The new Dutch coalition government announced on 30/01/2026 its plan to halt the scrapping of certain English-taught bachelor’s degrees in the Netherlands, a clear shift from the previous government, a coalition of right and far-right parties led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

Schoof's cabinet had accused international students of putting "too much pressure" on the country's resources and leading to mass immigration.

The current government, a coalition of D66 (Democrats 66, social-liberal), VVD (People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, centre-right conservative-liberal) and CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal, conservative), said in its coalition agreement that it "welcomed" international students.

However, Studyportals highlighted that legal limits remained in place, including capacity limits agreed with universities…