- 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.
Discover the American community in Amsterdam
Are you an American in Amsterdam — or are you considering living here? Imagine you could meet fellow Americans who miss the same traditions from home, like celebrating the 4th of July or Thanksgiving. American expats are also a great source of first-hand tips to help you get settled in Amsterdam. Whether you want to know where to shop for authentic American snacks or want some buddies to watch the Superbowl with, the InterNations Amsterdam Community has you covered! Learn more about the ins and outs of life in Amsterdam and discover how you can meet Americans living here.
Why you'll love InterNations in Amsterdam
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
The pros & cons of life in Amsterdam
Of course, no place is absolutely perfect. There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Read on and discover what American expats love about Amsterdam — and the challenges they face.
What Americans like about living abroad
International vibe: Amsterdam is a very international city. There are many English-speaking expats living here, so you’ll easily make friends from all over the globe.
Cycle everywhere: Amsterdam is surprisingly small, which means you can cycle just about anywhere. Cycling from the east to the west side of the city takes about 45 minutes, roughly the same time it would take by car when considering city traffic. With plentiful bike lanes free bike parking, cycling around is incredibly convenient.
Tax break: The “30% ruling” is a significant incentive for expats. This tax break reduces taxable income by 30% for skilled foreigners. However, this only applies during the first five years. After that, you will be subject to the same tax rates as Amsterdam citizens. Be sure to check if your job qualifies for this ruling.
No language barrier: Most Dutch people speak English, which is great for getting around, settling in, and making friends with locals. Although learning Dutch is not necessary, it’s always a plus and will help you feel at home more easily. Your employer may also require you to learn it.
What Americans struggle with abroad
Cost of living: The cost of living in Amsterdam is something expats moving here should be aware of. Costs excluding rent would be around 1000 EUR per month for a single person.
Housing prices: Housing costs in Amsterdam are soaring, which leads many to reside outside the city 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 many 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 difficult to manage.
Meet the average American abroad
Meet American 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 — 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 Americans at our events?
All your questions about Amsterdam, answered
English is widely spoken, making it slightly easier to find English-speaking jobs here than in most other European cities. When looking for a job, check whether the position meets the “30% ruling” requirements so you can take advantage of 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 online 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 using a recruitment agency in Amsterdam. If these options don’t appeal to you, InterNations has a large business networking community. 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?
Amsterdam is an international city that attracts a substantial number of tourists every year. While you can get around with basic Dutch language skills or English, it will start to feel limiting. The most challenging moments usually occur when having to get official paperwork done, find an apartment, see a doctor, etc. You’ll run into the proverbial language barrier, so ideally, treat your time in Amsterdam as an opportunity to learn Dutch.
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 collected some services that cater to English speakers (these services are not affiliated with InterNations):
General practitioner (GP) | Find a doctor throughout the Netherlands (you can navigate this site partly in English): huisarts |
Dentist | Emergency dental care (website in English): dental365 |
Urgent care | Expat Medical Center — doctors speaking multiple languages with 24h emergency care: expatmc |
Immigration assistance | Adam and Wolf immigration lawyers: immigrationlawyersnetherlands |
Tax advisor | Bright Tax assists with filing US taxes: brighttax |
Instant interpreting service | DayInterpreting Connect to a native Dutch speaker on your phone and use the phone’s loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you: dayinterpreting |
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The average cost of living in Amsterdam can range from 3740 EUR to 6059 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 annually.
Let’s break down the cost of living in Amsterdam:
| USD per month | Local currency per month | |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 270 USD | 250 EUR |
Rent for a studio apartment | 1710–2150 USD | 1600–2000 EUR |
Rent for a small family home | 3215–3549 USD | 3000–3300 EUR |
Public transportation | 65 USD | 60 EUR |
Mobile phone & internet | 65 USD | 60 EUR |
Meal at a restaurant (per person) | 22 USD | 20 EUR |
Groceries (per person) | 215 USD | 200 EUR |
Basic health insurance (public) | 130 USD | 120 EUR |
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Meet other Americans 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 in Amsterdam? 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 Americans to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the international experience with InterNations
We’re not just in Amsterdam! InterNations has lively communities in most of the Netherland’s major cities. If you’re traveling or moving to another city in the Netherlands, check out our American communities in 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 is your go-to platform. As an InterNations member, you’re always welcome to join events in any of our communities in over 420 cities worldwide. You can find the full list here: 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.
