Netherlands (NL)
The Netherlands is a small, densely populated constitutional monarchy in Northwestern Europe, consistently ranked among the world's most liveable and progressive countries.
Capital: Amsterdam
Region: Europe
Language: Dutch
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 76)
Emergency: 112
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Netherlands — 2026 data in EUR.
76
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Above average cost. Budget carefully, especially for housing and groceries.
Rent
Studio / 1-bed apartment, Amsterdam city centre €1,600–2,400/month
2-bed apartment, Amsterdam city centre €2,200–3,500/month
2-bed apartment, Amsterdam suburbs €1,600–2,200/month
Studio, Rotterdam / The Hague / Utrecht €1,200–1,700/month
2-bed apartment, other major cities €1,400–2,000/month
Social housing (woningcorporatie — waiting list 5–15 years) €600–1,000/month
Food & Groceries
Milk (1L) €1.00–1.40
Bread (500g loaf) €1.20–2.20
Chicken (1kg) €6–12
Eggs (12) €2.50–4.50
Cheese (500g Gouda — iconic Dutch cheese) €3.50–7.00
Rice (1kg) €1.20–2.50
Coffee (250g, ground) €3.00–6.00
Beer (6-pack Heineken) €5.50–8.00
Monthly groceries for 1 person €200–350
Dining Out
Coffee (espresso / flat white) €2.80–4.50
Lunch (broodje / sandwich café) €7–12
Dinner main course (mid-range restaurant) €20–32
Amsterdam premium restaurant main course €28–45
Beer at a café (pilsje 25cl) €3.50–5.50
Fast food meal (burger + fries + drink) €10–15
Stroopwafel at a street market (iconic Dutch snack) €1.50–2.50
Transport
Single NS train Amsterdam–Rotterdam (40 min) €16–19
Single NS train Amsterdam–Utrecht (30 min) €8–10
GVB single journey Amsterdam (tram / metro) €3.20
NS Dal Vrij monthly pass (off-peak national) €109/month
GVB Amsterdam monthly pass (unlimited tram / metro) €100
Schiphol–Amsterdam Centraal train €5.30
Taxi base rate + per km, Amsterdam €3.50 + €2.50/km
OV-fiets bike rental (per day) €4.25
Health & Insurance
GP visit (huisarts, covered by basic insurance) €0 (free with registered GP)
Annual deductible (eigen risico) €385/year (2026)
Dental check-up (adult — not covered by basic insurance) €35–60
Prescription medication (formulary drug) €0–10 (after deductible)
Private psychologist session (out of pocket) €100–150
Utilities
Electricity + gas (2-bed apartment, monthly) €120–200
Fibre broadband (100–500 Mbps) €35–60/month
Mobile SIM-only contract (20GB) €15–25/month
TV streaming (Netflix / Videoland) €10–18/month
Basisverzekering health insurance (mandatory, monthly premium) €150–175 (average €159)
Childcare
Daycare (dagopvang, full-time, before subsidy) €1,500–2,000/month
Daycare (effective cost after kinderopvangtoeslag, middle income) €300–600/month
After-school care (BSO, after subsidy) €100–400/month
International school (annual) €12,000–28,000
Dutch university (EU student, per year) €2,530
Leisure
Cinema ticket €12–17
Museum entry (Rijksmuseum / Van Gogh Museum) €20–25
Gym membership (Basic-Fit, monthly) €17–30
Fitness club (premium, monthly) €50–100
Iamsterdam City Card (48h, museums + transport) €62
Dutch driving lesson €45–65/hour
Second-hand bicycle €50–200
Cost of Living
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