The government’s plan to stop universities from offering subsidised sports and other facilities to students risks making club and association membership unaffordable, student organisations have warned.

Students will have to pay hundreds of euros more to use a gym or play a sport, according to student unions, sports bodies and the universities themselves.

Legislation introduced in 2003 banned the use of public money for “private” activities, but included an exemption for university sports centres. The right-wing government has now removed that exception.

As a result, student sports clubs will be required to charge market rates, which in some cases means fees rising from €200 to €700 a year, Miché said. “Students cannot afford that.”

Around 400 student sports clubs and associations will be affected by the new rules. In Maastricht, for example, students currently have access to 30 sports associations as well as a university sports centre.

“Student sport is essential for students’ welfare and good results,” said UNL chairman Caspar van den Berg. “It is crucial that universities continue to invest in it, but this rule will make it virtually impossible.”

Students have already been hard hit by the government, Miché said. “They’ve cut the basic grant, are cutting spending on education, and now they want to take away sport. If pensioners can take cheap sports lessons, why not students?”