Which school books must be free?

When a back-to-school message lists books, a calculator, sportswear, a laptop and a deposit, it is easy to treat every line as a compulsory family purchase. Dutch secondary-school rules draw a finer boundary: textbooks, workbooks and required digital licences are supplied free by the school, including for pupils in international transition classes. Free books do not make the term costless. An atlas, dictionary, calculator, stationery, sportswear and personal materials chosen by the school are normally paid by the household. A school may ask for a voluntary deposit, but may not make it a condition for receiving books. If teaching uses a laptop or tablet, the school cannot force purchase and must offer an equivalent alternative.

• Core textbooks, workbooks and required learning licences come from the school.
• A voluntary deposit may not block access to those materials.
• Atlases, calculators, stationery and sports equipment are normally family costs.
• Ask the school in writing about device loans and alternatives.

Hokimi field note：Split the list into school-supplied, family purchase, available to borrow and still unclear before paying anything. Information last checked on 10 August 2026：source 1。