Living in Amsterdam as an Expat

Amsterdam is one of Europe's most international cities. In 2023, approximately 174,000 people who had arrived from abroad in the past ten years lived there. That's 19% of the population. The number has doubled in ten years. Most recent migrants come from Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States, but also large groups from Germany, France, India, Spain, and Turkey. The city hosts more than 2,100 foreign companies with over 150,000 employees.

This international composition makes Amsterdam a city where English is the second language. In shops, restaurants, at the GP, and at the city hall, you can get by perfectly well with English. However, anyone looking for rental housing here will encounter a market that is fast, competitive, and different from most other European cities. This page will help you get started.

Registration: BSN, Municipality, and DigiD

The first step after arrival is registration with the municipality of Amsterdam. If you plan to stay in the Netherlands for more than four months, you must register with the BRP (Personal Records Database) via one of the Stadsloketten (City Districts Offices). You will need a valid passport and a rental contract as proof of address. After registration, you will automatically receive a BSN: the citizen service number you need for everything: bank account, health insurance, employment contract, tax declaration.

Expats coming to Amsterdam as highly skilled migrants via a recognized employer can go to IN Amsterdam, a one-stop-shop where registration, residence permits, and BSN are arranged in one appointment. For others, waiting times at the Stadsloketten can be as long as six to eight weeks. So, plan your appointment before your arrival, not after.

After the BSN, the next step is a DigiD: the digital identity you use to log in to the Tax Authorities, your health insurer, and the municipality. You can apply online. The activation code will arrive by post within three working days.

The Rental Market for Expats

The Amsterdam rental market is competitive for everyone, but expats face additional hurdles. Without a BSN, you cannot open a bank account. Without a bank account, many landlords will not accept you. Without a rental contract, you cannot register with the municipality. It's a chicken-and-egg situation that makes the first few weeks stressful.

Landlords typically require an income of three times the gross monthly rent. For an apartment of 2,000 euros per month, you therefore need a gross monthly income of 6,000 euros. Some landlords calculate based on net salary including the 30% ruling, but this varies per provider. An employer's statement and the last three payslips are standard. Provide them on the same day if you want to secure a property.

English-language rental contracts are common in the expat segment. Legally, Dutch law always applies, regardless of the language of the contract. The deposit is usually one to two months' rent.

Many expats opt for a furnished apartment. Most Amsterdam rental properties are offered “unfurnished” (gestoffeerd): with floors and curtains, but no furniture. “Furnished” (gemeubileerd) means fully decorated. “Bare” (kaal) means empty, without flooring or window coverings. Furnished is more expensive but saves you from buying a complete set of furniture for what might be a temporary stay.

Expats with temporary assignments often request a diplomatic clause in their contract. This clause allows you to terminate the rental contract early if your employer relocates you to another location. The notice period is usually one to two calendar months. The clause must be explicitly stated in the contract.

HousingMatchers provides an overview of all available rental properties in Amsterdam. You can filter by district, price, and property type. This way, you can see what's available at a glance, without having to search dozens of websites.

Popular Neighbourhoods for Expats

Oud-Zuid is Amsterdam's most established expat neighbourhood. Spacious apartments, international schools nearby, Vondelpark within walking distance, Zuidas a ten-minute bike ride away. It's the most expensive neighbourhood in the city, but it's the top choice for expats with a corporate budget. Beethovenstraat and Apollolaan are the streets where many international families live.

De Pijp attracts young professionals and international couples. The Albert Cuyp Market, the North/South Metro Line, and a vibrant mix of restaurants and cafés make the neighbourhood popular. Rental prices are high but lower than in Oud-Zuid.

Oud-West offers a quieter version of the city centre feel. Good restaurants, the Foodhallen, Vondelpark on the south side. Popular with expats who want to live close to the centre without being in the tourist heart.

De Jordaan is the picturesque choice: canals, courtyards, traditional brown cafés. The homes are compact and the stairs steep, but the location and atmosphere attract expats looking for authentic Amsterdam.

Amsterdam-Oost is rapidly growing as an expat destination. The Indische Buurt is one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in the city, with over a hundred languages spoken. Rental prices are lower than in West and South. Javastraat offers a mix of international shops and hospitality.

Houthavens, the new development area on the IJ river, has the highest percentage of internationals in Amsterdam: 37% of its residents. Modern apartments, waterfront location, and good connections to the city centre.

Amstelveen, just outside Amsterdam, is popular with expats with children. The International School of Amsterdam (ISA) is located there. The area offers more space, lower rental prices, and a greener streetscape. Tram 5 and the metro connect Amstelveen to the city centre.

The 30% Ruling

The 30% ruling is one of the reasons Amsterdam attracts so much international talent. The ruling allows eligible expats to receive 30% of their gross salary tax-free. This can save hundreds to thousands of euros per month.

The conditions in 2025: you must have lived more than 150 kilometres from the Dutch border before starting employment, and your gross annual salary must be at least 46,660 euros. For employees under 30 with a master's degree, a lower threshold of 35,468 euros applies. The ruling lasts for a maximum of five years.

From 2027, the rate will be reduced from 30% to 27%. The salary thresholds will then increase by approximately 10%. The ruling will remain, but will become less advantageous. Those currently using the ruling will retain the current conditions for the remaining duration.

The application is submitted by your employer to the Tax Authorities. It is not a personal application. Your employer must be a recognized sponsor with the IND.

Health Insurance and GP

Everyone living or working in the Netherlands is obliged to take out a Dutch basic health insurance policy. The average premium is approximately 155 euros per month (2025). The deductible is 385 euros per year. You need a BSN to register.

After health insurance, the next step is finding a family doctor (GP). In the Netherlands, the GP is the mandatory gateway to the rest of healthcare. Without a referral from your GP, you cannot see a specialist. Register with a GP practice in your neighbourhood as soon as possible. Waiting lists exist here too, but most GPs in Amsterdam speak good English.

For expats specifically looking for an English-speaking practice: the Expat Medical Centre Amsterdam is entirely focused on international patients, with GPs, physiotherapists, and psychologists.

International Schools

Amsterdam has several international schools for children aged 2 to 18. The most well-known:

The International School of Amsterdam (ISA) in Amstelveen was the first school in the world to offer the full IB programme, from kindergarten to final exams. Tuition fees range from 25,185 to 34,740 euros per year (2025-2026).

The British School of Amsterdam in Oud-Zuid follows the British curriculum. Tuition fees: 18,750 to 21,528 euros per year.

The Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) in Amsterdam-Oost offers the IB programme and is the first choice for many expats in Oost and Watergraafsmeer.

Waiting lists at popular schools can be long. Enroll your child as soon as your relocation is confirmed, not upon arrival.

In addition to international schools, Dutch primary schools offer newcomer classes for children who do not yet speak Dutch. This route is free and works for families who plan to stay longer and want to integrate.

Language: How English is Amsterdam?

Very English. The Netherlands has been consistently in the top three of the EF English Proficiency Index worldwide for years, and Amsterdam is the most international city in the country. In practice, you can function entirely in English in Amsterdam: at the supermarket, in restaurants, at the GP, at city hall, and in the workplace of international companies.

But there is a limit. Official mail from the Tax Authorities and your health insurer comes in Dutch. Some municipal forms are only available in Dutch. And social integration becomes easier with basic knowledge of the language. Expats who stay longer than two years find that learning Dutch opens doors that remain closed with English alone: neighbourhood contacts, sports clubs, parent-teacher meetings at school.

Learning Dutch is not mandatory for daily life, but it accelerates the feeling of being at home.

Amsterdam is a city accustomed to newcomers. The infrastructure for expats is good: English-speaking healthcare, international schools, an efficient public transportation network, and a rental market accustomed to international tenants. The challenge lies not with the city, but with the rental market: supply is limited, competition is high, and the first few weeks are a race against bureaucracy. Those who arrive prepared, with documents in order and a search strategy ready, will find a place faster. Amsterdam gladly welcomes you. It just requires some patience.