Moving to Amsterdam

Although Amsterdam is in Europe’s Top 10 most expensive cities to live in, your expat status will grant you a 30% tax ruling – meaning that you will only have to pay taxes on 70% of your income. This will offset your living costs and make your financial situation very similar to back in the UK.

Moving to Amsterdam will allow you to use the excellent network of public transportation that the city, and the rest of the Netherlands, has to offer. From National rail services to buses and the metro, getting around the city is cheap and simple. Where there is no metro, such as the northern parts of the city, bus connections are well-established and punctual, meaning you can always get where you need to be on time. More information on costs and timings can be found on the GVB’s website.

Tickets can be bought in advance at stations, post offices, vending machines or drivers or you can load your tickets onto your OV-chipkaart, which functions just like London’s Oyster card. If moving to Amsterdam, you can apply for a permanent OV-chipkaart. 

For longer and hassle-free transport, taxis, though expensive, are in high supply.

Bicycles – Bicycles are hugely popular in the Netherlands, especially in cities. There is a network of dedicated cycle lanes in urban and rural areas and lock-up facilities outside most public and private buildings. Bike theft can occur, so ensure you have a substantial lock to prevent it from being stolen. You must also have a road-worthy bike, meaning that it has working lights, bell, reflectors, and good brakes.

Driving – As in any city, traffic can get bad when driving around Amsterdam, especially during rush hours. It’s important to be extra careful as the number of cyclists and moped drivers in the city can prove overwhelming to inexperienced drivers.

The Netherlands is a very densely populated country, and this does not exclude Amsterdam. Living space can be tight in the city. Large apartments and houses are difficult to find and finding an entire house to rent will prove to be difficult here. Houses with more than 5 bedrooms will be rare and apartments typically have between 1 and 3 bedrooms. Property in Amsterdam consists of 4 main housing types: 

• Rowhouses – terraced houses, attached to other houses on each side
• Drive-in house – has living quarters on the upper floors with a garage on the ground floor
• Semi-detached
• Detached

In the centre of cities like Amsterdam, prime real estate is difficult to find. Accommodation is more readily available in the small autonomous towns surrounding large cities, as there are no real suburbs in the Netherlands. Commuting into cities is easy thanks to the great quality of public transport.

The historic heart of Amsterdam has retained its appearance since the 17th century, the golden age. From the Amstel River, the city is defined by concentric semicircular canals that expand southwards. The narrow streets are lined with classic high-gabled old merchant houses, as are the canal banks. North of the Amstel River is mainly an industrial space, whereas more modern expansions have continued in other directions. 

Amsterdam centre – Near the city centre, apartments can be hard to find and expensive. This area has many advantages when it comes to social life, as the village ambience is an exciting place to be, with numerous entertainment facilities and festivals year-round. Housing here will be small but very attractive, with some facades dating right back to the 17th century. Furnished properties will be simple but adequately fitted, with more lavish furniture available for a high price.

Unfortunately, the narrow, charming streets offer little in the way of parking if you have no garage with your accommodation. Public transport can, however, offer an alternative to having your own vehicle.

Amsterdam south – There are two main residential neighbourhoods in Amsterdam South – Waardhuizen and Westwijk. These newly developed areas offer attractive and affordable accommodation, often with ample street parking. Though the newness of the area has yet to wear off, shopping facilities here are excellent and connections to the city centre by bus or car are great. 

Outside of Amsterdam – Residential areas outside of Amsterdam include Amstelveen, Buitenveldert, Mijdrecht, Uithoorn, and Vinkeveen. Large supermarkets are common on the outskirts of the city and public transport connections into Amsterdam from these areas are clean and punctual. Here, houses will be small, typically between 2 and 5 bedrooms, with gardens or yards. Furnished properties are not difficult to find.

If finding accommodation abroad seems impossible, find out how our Relocation Services can ease your international relocation process.

There are plenty of education options if you are moving to Amsterdam from the UK with your family. Whether your children are at a pre-school, primary or secondary level, there will be an option for them to learn. There are a great variety of international schools in and around Amsterdam, either subsidised by the government or private schools. These can cost anywhere from €3000 to €24,000 a year in fees, however will provide your children with an excellent quality of education and the opportunity to meet children from 180 different nationalities. To locate the nearest school to you, view this map of Amsterdam’s international schools.

Living in Amsterdam is typically very easy for UK expats. With English spoken in a large percentage of the city, communication will not be a barrier between you and the linguistically proficient Dutch. Despite this, a friendly greeting of ‘Hallo’ (hello)

There are many clubs and organisations within the city which will cater to your interests and hobbies whilst allowing you to socialise and make friends once you relocate to Amsterdam. This includes clubs specifically for expats to meet each other. Socialising at work is also common practice, and evening meals are a great way to get to know your hosts or colleagues.

As in any city, Amsterdam has entertainment facilities for the whole family. Whether you’re looking for zoos, museums or galleries, the city has exactly what you’re looking for. There are also year-round festivals to keep you busy, so don’t miss out! Learn more about what to see and do in Amsterdam.

The Dutch are very hospitable people, so they will likely invite you for meals at their own homes. Politeness and properness are also valued, so make sure to shake hands with everyone present and to bring a gift for the hostess. Speaking too loudly or talking about improper topics, such as politics or money, will not earn you another invite.

It is also common to go out for meals at restaurants in the city to enjoy a range of cuisines, from Greek to Indonesian. Another tip for people moving to Amsterdam from the UK is that the Dutch typically eat very early, meaning many establishments close their kitchens at 9:30 pm at the latest. Reservations are recommended for large parties and fine dining locations. Find out more details on cuisines and reservations in restaurants in Amsterdam.

If you are relocating and need help navigating the process, check out our guide and checklist for international relocation.