The case focused on the rights of expats to claim a type of fee assistance called “student finance”. Not only does student finance provide a loan on favourable terms, it also reduces the overall fee burden from the standard “university tuition fee” to the less demanding “statutory tuition fee”. This has the potential to save expat students and their families as much as several tens of thousands of Euros per year.
Who is Eligible for Student Finance?
Any person who is either an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or a direct family member is entitled to receive student finance. Permanent residence holder permits and refugees are also eligible.
The judge hearing the case at Amsterdam District Court ruled that the law preventing expats from claiming student finance violated European Convention on Human Rights non-discrimination law stemming from the European Convention on Human Rights because it allowed student finance for some independent residence permit holders, but not others, without providing any clear explanation as to why.
The Dutch Minister of Education may still apply to the Central Court of Appeal in Utrecht in order to contest the decision. However, this must be completed before the end of the month or the District Court’s ruling will prove binding.
Talk to Blacktower Today
If you would like help structuring your wealth and building a long-term strategy for your finances, including education fee planning and retirement strategies, talk to Blacktower’s expat financial advisers in the Netherlands today.
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.
The process of sharing information across the planet has never been easier or simpler, thanks to constant upgrades and improvements being made in the field of information technology. These advancements have led to the implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) in the US, and the Common Reporting Standards (CRS) over on this side of the pond.
At the moment, politicians across the world – especially, it seems, in the UK – are in the spotlight regarding their tax affairs. Banks, however, will also soon be in the spotlight, as by Friday 15th April they have been told to hand any information regarding their dealings with the law firm at the centre of the Panama Papers over to the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.