- Salil Padmanabh
At the InterNations events here in Amsterdam, I've come to know so many friendly expats. Both Indians and expatriates from other countries.
Make British friends in Amsterdam
Imagine you could meet fellow Brits who know exactly how it is to live abroad. And who miss the same traditions from home, like celebrating Christmas the British way, Bonfire Night, or just watching rugby or football. Fellow British expats are also a great source of first-hand tips to help you get settled. The InterNations Amsterdam Community has you covered! Learn more about the ins and outs of life in Amsterdam and discover how you can meet British expats living here.
Why you'll love InterNations in Amsterdam
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
The pros & cons of living in Amsterdam
Of course, no place is absolutely perfect. There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Read on and discover what British expats love about life abroad — and the challenges they face in Amsterdam.
Pros of living in Amsterdam
International city: Amsterdam is a very international city, making it easy to form connections. There are many English-speaking expats living here, providing you with the opportunity to make friends from all over the globe.
Cycle everywhere: Despite being a major international city, Amsterdam is surprisingly small, which means you can cycle just about anywhere. Cycling from the east to the west side of Amsterdam takes about 45 minutes, roughly the same time it would take by car when considering traffic. With bike lanes throughout the city and plentiful, free bike parking, cycling in Amsterdam is incredibly convenient.
Tax break: The “30/20/10 ruling” is a significant incentive for expats. This tax break reduces taxable income by up to 30% for foreigners in highly skilled jobs. However, this ruling only applies for the first five years. After that, you’ll be subject to the same tax rates as Amsterdam citizens. Be sure to check if your job qualifies for this ruling.
Language: Most Dutch people speak good English, which is great for getting around the city, settling in, and making friends with locals. Although learning Dutch is not necessary, we still recommend it for better integration. Your employer may also require you to learn it.
Cons of living in Amsterdam
Cost of living: The cost of living in Amsterdam has become the primary concern for many expats moving here. Everyday activities are becoming increasingly unaffordable, making it difficult to save money by the end of the month unless you are very frugal or have a high salary.
Housing prices: Especially costs for accommodation in Amsterdam are soaring, driven by its popularity among expats. This surge in prices often forces many to reside outside Amsterdam and commute to work. As a single person, you could easily spend around 1,200 EUR per month on rent alone.
Government bureaucracy: Like in most European cities, navigating bureaucracy in Amsterdam can be challenging. Processes such as opening a bank account, securing health insurance, and handling immigration papers can be tricky to manage, but they are all part of living in the Netherlands.
Your questions about Amsterdam, answered
As a very international city, English is widely spoken — and even a main business language! This makes it slightly easier to find English-speaking jobs here than in most other European cities. When looking for a job, it would be beneficial to ensure the position meets the “30/20/10 Ruling” requirements, which could allow you to receive significant tax breaks. During your search, you’ll realize that most companies require at least a bachelor’s degree and may also request referrals and testimonials from your previous job placements. There are many websites that can assist you in finding an English-speaking job. You can try your luck with: Jobs in Amsterdam English job search Netherlands Glassdoor You could also try your luck with some recruitment agencies in Amsterdam. If these options don’t appeal to you, many expats also use InterNations for business networking. If you’re looking for a job, why not attend some events and network with other expats who could assist you with your job search?
The average cost of living in Amsterdam can range from 3,800 to 6,000 EUR depending on if you’re a single person or a family of four. Most people say to live comfortably in Amsterdam with your family, you should earn about 70k EUR a year. Let’s break down the cost of living in Amsterdam:
| GBP per month | Local currency per month | |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 215 GBP | 250 EUR |
Rent for a studio apartment | 1,355–1,700 GBP | 1,600–2,000 EUR |
Rent for a small family home | 2,540–2,800 GBP | 3,000–3,300 EUR |
Public transportation | 50 GBP | 60 EUR |
Mobile phone & internet | 50 GBP | 60 EUR |
Meal at a restaurant (per person) | 15 GBP | 20 EUR |
Groceries (per person) | 170 GBP | 200 EUR |
Basic health insurance (public) | 100 GBP | 120 EUR |
The short answer? Yes. Amsterdam is an international city that attracts a substantial number of tourists every year, and English is commonly spoken among the population. But while you can get around with just English or some basic Dutch, it can start to feel limiting. The most challenging moments usually occur when having to get official paperwork done, looking for an apartment, needing to see a doctor, and so on. So ideally, treat your time in Amsterdam as an opportunity to learn Dutch, too. There is a wide variety of language schools to get you started. And these days, there are several apps that help you to improve on your own time and budget. To make your time in Amsterdam smoother, we also collected some services that cater to English speakers (these services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations):
General practitioner (GP) | Huisartsenpraktijk De Admiraal English-speaking GP. You can register with this GP online. General Directory A list of English-speaking medical services in Amsterdam and other parts of the Netherlands. |
Dentist | Dentist van de Veer Zuidas English-speaking dentist in Zuid offering online booking for appointments. |
Urgent care | Expat Medical Center Doctors speaking multiple languages with 24h emergency care. |
Immigration assistance | Adam and Wolf Immigration Lawyers Immigration lawyers to assist you with your immigration needs. |
Tax advisor | Broadstreet International tax specialists in Amsterdam. |
Instant interpreting service | DayInterpreting Get connected to a native Dutch speaker on your phone and use the loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you. |
Meet British expats at our events in Amsterdam
Making friends and building a network in a new city can be hard. Luckily, at our events, everyone is from somewhere else! So, it’s completely normal to introduce yourself to people and ask them about their own expat journey. Check out any of our upcoming events and you’ll soon feel like part of Amsterdam’s expat family. And look out for Newcomers’ Events, too — they’re a great way to get to know the community. Our welcoming Ambassadors will introduce you to other newcomers and more experienced expats living in Amsterdam.
Want to meet other Brits at our events?
Meet other Brits in Amsterdam
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to continue pursuing your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? You can do that easily in our InterNations Groups, which offer activities based on a wide range of interests. Groups are hosted by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month. They organize everything from dinners to sightseeing to board game nights. For example, you can enjoy nature with the Outdoors Group, share your love of music with the Jazz Group, or go on an adventure with the Boat Trips Group. There’s something for everyone!
Find other Brits to share your hobbies with
Wherever you go, enjoy the international experience
We’re not just in Amsterdam! InterNations has lively communities in most of the Netherlands’ major cities. If you’re traveling or moving to another Dutch city, check out our British communities in The Hague, Rotterdam , Maastricht, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Breda, or Groningen. But that’s not all! If you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, InterNations has got you covered. As a member, you’re welcome to join events in any of our communities in over 420 cities worldwide. Browse all InterNations Communities worldwide.
- Salil Padmanabh
At the InterNations events here in Amsterdam, I've come to know so many friendly expats. Both Indians and expatriates from other countries.
- Isabella Martinez
For my little daughter I've been looking for a good language teacher who also speaks Spanish. I've finally found him on InterNations.
