All PhDs charge tuition fees, the question is not whether they are charged, but who pays. In those "competitive" cases you posted above a 3rd party research funder will be paying the fees.
You'll also note that to get one of the funded places "you must either be eligible for employment in the Netherlands or obtain a knowledge worker visa to qualify for a paid PhD position". This goes for the UK as well - a student must be British, or an EU citizen usually resident in the UK (and this will stop at the end fo this year). One of the most common reasons for people to do self funded PhDs, at least in the sciences, is because they are not eligable for a funded position, usually due to nationality.
Thus, being a self-funded student brings no judgement - all universities accept both funded and unfunded students, and many unfunded students are unfunded simply because they were barred from apply for funded positions. In the end, a CV will not say either way whether your PhD was funded or unfunded.
A 4-year self-funded PhD will set you back about 120,000 - 150,000 euros, including about 15,000 a year to living expenses.
Why do you want a PhD? I can think of three reasons:
- Financial. This is subtle. For example, in Biology, people with PhDs earn less that those with just an undergrad degree. But thats because most undergrad degree holders don't stay in biology. Within Biology (industrial, commercial or academic), those with PhDs earn much more than those without. A PhD will cost you around 150,000 euros. Whether you will recoup this in the length of a career is something only someone in your industry can tell you.
- You want to be an academic. Only about 2-3% of students, funded or unfunded, will make it as far as a permanent faculty level position. Now, if you are getting paid to do a PhD you might think its worth rolling the dice. But if you are paying for the privilege of only having a 3% chance of a job? Only you can say. Also bear in mind that if you were eligible for a paid position, and didn't get one, you must ask yourself why. There may be good reasons. Perhaps admissions tutors don't think highly of your school. Or perhaps you are in a minority that is discriminated against. But it is also possible, in the kindest way, knowing nothing about you, that you are not in the top part of your class. I'm not saying other people will imply this about you because your self-funded (people won't know, see above), but it might never-the-less be the case.
- Because you love the subject, you've got the money in savings, and want something worthwhile to spend it on. Only you can say if this is "worth it". If a PhD will make you cry, it will stress you out. You will hate your subject and everyone in it. I large number of student experience mental health problems in a PhD. But, it can be the most special experience and meaningful experience, in-and-of itself (as opposed to a means to an end). 3-4 years to do something for no other reasons than you think it is cool/interesting/important.