Are you enrolled in a programme at a secondary vocational education (MBO) school, higher vocational education (HBO), or university? If so, you can apply for a student travel product. This allows you to travel by public transport for free or at a reduced rate.
Last updated 20 August 2025
Conditions for a student travel product
You can obtain a student travel product if:
- You are studying full-time at MBO, HBO or university. This also applies if you are not yet 18 years old when you start your studies.
- You are younger than 30 when your student finance starts.
- Foreign students can also get the student travel product. See the nationality requirements for student finance. These also apply to the student travel product.
You are not eligible for a student travel product if you are taking a part-time or BBL (work-based) programme (MBO). However, you are eligible for a student travel product for a dual programme (HBO or university).
If you obtain your diploma within 10 years, the student travel product is a gift, which means that you do not have to pay for it. If you do not obtain your diploma, it becomes a loan that you must repay with interest.
Choosing a weekday or weekend subscription
When you apply for a student travel product, you choose a weekday or weekend subscription.
How to apply for a student travel product
You apply for a student travel product from DUO (Education Implementation Service).
More information on this topic
You can change your subscription up to twice a year. For example, because you are moving house. However, you cannot change your subscription twice within two months, or twice in the summer, between 1 May and 25 August. You can change your subscription by contacting DUO.
How long you are entitled to the student travel product depends on your programme. If you are enrolled in a programme at:
- MBO level 1 and 2, for as long as you are enrolled;
- MBO level 3 and 4, for a maximum of 7 years (84 months);
- a university or HBO, for the official duration of the programme plus one year. So if you are enrolled in a 4-year programme, you can travel by public transport for free or at a discount for 5 years.
More information about the amount and duration of the student travel product can be found on the DUO website.
If you have the weekday product, you cannot travel for free on weekdays during the summer period (16 July – 16 August). However, you can travel at a reduced rate. Nothing changes in the summer if you have the weekend product.
You cannot use the student travel product for an internship or study programme outside the Netherlands. Instead, you can apply for a public transport allowance.