City guide

🇳🇱 Living in Amsterdam

Europe's tech hub — 30% tax ruling, English everywhere, and the cycling capital of the world

At a glance

Population

920,000 (metro: 2.5M)

Currency

EUR

Avg. salary

€45,000–€75,000

Effective tax

30–38% (20–25% with 30% ruling)

Climate

Oceanic

Tax regime

36.97–49.5% (30% ruling for expats)

Nomad visa

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Net salary calculator

Calculate your take-home pay in Amsterdam with our detailed tax calculator.

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Cost of living

Rent (1-bed, center)	€1,800/mo
Rent (1-bed, suburb)	€1,400/mo
Groceries (single)	€350/mo
Groceries (family)	€800/mo
Transport pass	€100/mo
Restaurant (2 people, mid-range)	€70
Coffee	€3.50
Gym membership	€40/mo
Healthcare	Mandatory via private insurers, ~€140-160/month basic package

Frugal

€2,200

/month

Moderate

€3,200

/month

Comfortable

€4,500

/month

Budget calculator

Build a detailed monthly budget for Amsterdam based on your lifestyle.

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Why choose Amsterdam?

30% tax ruling: 30% of salary tax-free for skilled migrants (5 years)

95% of Dutch people speak English — no language barrier

Tech hub: Booking.com, Adyen, Mollie, TomTom, Elastic

Cycling capital — 800km of bike lanes, flat terrain

Schiphol Airport: 170+ direct destinations worldwide

Most progressive society in Europe — LGBTQ+ pioneer, inclusive culture

Quality of life

Overall

8.5

Safety

Healthcare

Education

Air Quality

7.5

Expat Community

9.5

English Proficiency

Moving to Amsterdam : checklist

1 Research visa (EU: register at gemeente, non-EU: employer-sponsored)
2 Apply for 30% ruling with employer (within 4 months of start)
3 Find accommodation (Funda.nl, Pararius.nl)
4 Register at gemeente (mandatory within 5 days)
5 Get BSN number (citizen service number)
6 Choose health insurance (mandatory, ~€140/month)
7 Buy a bicycle — the Dutch way of life
8 Join expat communities (DutchReview, Amsterdam Expats, InterNations)

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Amsterdam? +

Amsterdam is moderately expensive. A single person needs €2,200–3,200/month. Rent is the biggest expense: €1,800 for a 1-bed in the center. Cycling saves significantly on transport costs. Groceries and dining are reasonable.

How much tax will I pay in Amsterdam? +

Standard rates are 36.97% (up to €75,518) and 49.5% above. However, the 30% ruling makes 30% of your salary tax-free for up to 5 years, effectively reducing your tax rate to ~20-25%. This is one of Europe's best expat tax deals.

Is Amsterdam good for expats? +

Excellent — Amsterdam consistently ranks in the top 5 cities worldwide for expats. 95% of locals speak English, the expat community is massive, and the city is extremely well-connected by air and rail.

What is the average salary in Amsterdam? +

Average gross salary is €50,000–60,000/year. Tech roles (software engineer, data scientist) average €55,000–80,000. Finance and consulting: €60,000–90,000. With the 30% ruling, net income is significantly higher.

Do I need to speak Dutch? +

No — Amsterdam is the most English-friendly city in continental Europe. You can live and work entirely in English. However, learning Dutch is appreciated and helps with social integration beyond the expat bubble.