Amsterdam has plenty to discover for anyone who is thinking of relocating here. Modern, yet rich in history, the city is home to many expats.

Why Move to Amsterdam?

In short, Amsterdam is full of opportunities, for both employment and leisure. The city is proud of its international atmosphere, and you will be able to communicate in English in most places. Compared to other European capitals, the place is relatively small, which makes commuting simple. The city is also well-adapted to cyclists, and biking is one of the most popular ways to get around.

While busy and buzzing with life, Amsterdam is still very green, with plenty of parks and natural oases around. For those thinking of moving to the Dutch capital with kids, know that the city offers a lot of schooling options, including a variety of international schools.

Pros of Moving to Amsterdam

A Variety of Career Opportunities

Several big international corporations have their headquarters located in Amsterdam and hiring expats is not uncommon for them. They might require the knowledge of a few languages when hiring the candidate; however, once you do get hired, you will notice that English is a common business language. For more information, read the working section of this guide.

Rich in Culture

Apart from multiple unique museums and historical sites, Amsterdam offers plenty of concerts and art exhibitions for all tastes. You will also find many cafes and restaurants around and be able to enjoy an impressive nightlife as the city is saturated with bars and nightclubs.

Capital in the Heart of Europe

Amsterdam’s convenient location allows you to travel across Western Europe without much hassle. Various bus and train connections can quickly take you to Brussels, Paris, or Hamburg. The city is also home to the third-largest airport in Europe, which makes far-away destinations easily accessible as well.

Cons of Moving to Amsterdam

It Is Tough to Find Housing in Amsterdam

A big chunk of the city’s housing market provides people with social housing that is mostly unavailable to expats. That narrows down an already slim selection of accommodation possibilities in the area. Moreover, furnished places in Amsterdam are hard to come by, and those that are available are usually very expensive and get snatched up immediately.

Amsterdam Can Be Expensive

Groceries, transportation, and overall day-to-day costs of living in Amsterdam are quite reasonable. However, it is housing prices that drive up expenses. If you do not manage to find a reasonably priced place here, your rental costs will take a big chunk out of your paycheck.

Things to Know Before Moving to Amsterdam

• Every resident residing in Amsterdam is required to pay annual municipal taxes (all or the combination of waste disposal and sewage charges, and property and movable space taxes).
• Almost all the parking spaces in Amsterdam are not free.
• Shops are generally open 09:00­–18:00 Monday­–Saturday and 12:00–17:00 on Sundays, with some supermarkets operating until 20:00 or 22:00. Banks and post offices only open on workdays between 09:00 to 17:00.
• When it comes to tipping, know that service charges are a part of your bill, so you do not need to leave anything extra. However, it is still common to leave a 5–10% tip.

How Hard Is It to Move to Amsterdam?

The biggest obstacles to move to Amsterdam is finding a job and a place to live. Once you have both of those issues sorted, you should not be facing many problems regarding your move to the Dutch capital. Yes, bureaucracy can still make your life complicated, but having employment and rental contracts will guarantee that those complications will be sorted, eventually.

Relocating to Amsterdam with Your Pet

The rules of bringing a pet to Amsterdam are the same as the general requirements of bringing a pet to the Netherlands. To enter the country, your dog, cat, or ferret need to be

• at least 15 weeks old;
• microchipped;
• vaccinated against rabies.

Your pet will also need proper documentation and a pet passport.

Your dog needs to be registered at the local town hall within two weeks of arriving in the Netherlands. Note that since 2016, Amsterdam does not impose dog tax.

If you wish to bring other animals (rodents, birds, fish, amphibians, or reptiles) you will need a pet’s health certificate signed by a veterinarian.