Cost of living in the Netherlands, a breakdown

The Netherlands is known for its high standard of living, excellent infrastructure, and thriving expat community. It ranks on place 6 in 2024 on the worldwide happiness chart and that’s not without reason.

However, these benefits come with costs that can vary significantly depending on lifestyle, location, and personal choices and most important to what you’re used to. Understanding the breakdown of expenses can help individuals and families budget effectively and know what they’ll be facing moving to the Netherlands. Here’s an overview of the major cost categories in the Netherlands.

Housing

Housing is one of the most important factors when moving, the saying ‘home is where the heart is’ exists for a reason. Housing is typically the largest expense for residents in the Netherlands, based on regulations used within the market for rentals is that housing might take up to a maximum of 30% of the gross salary.

Rental costs

In the four major cities Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam, renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre can range between €1,700 and €2,500 per month. Outside the city centre, prices drop slightly, averaging €1.500 up to €2,000.

Since the legislation around rentals at the housing market has been installed mid of 2024, the amount of rentals are dropping and prices have been increased significantly.

Utilities

The costs for electricity, gas, water, local taxes and garbage collection depends on the type of house in terms of isolation, size and the number of tenants. Prices of gas and with that of electricity went up since 2023 and due to the global situation it is expected to rise further.

New built properties are only using electricity these days and are connected to gas.  Older building are heated by gas, which can affect the costs per month extensively.

For a 4-person household living in a 100m2 apartment with energy label B in Amsterdam, these costs may to be expected around  typically cost €250–€350 per month.

Internet and TV

Since the pandemic we work more from home than ever, which means that high-speed internet is necessary and most providers have an internet and TV package in one. If you don’t want to watch Dutch television, this can be taken out, as you can easily stream instead. Packages vary from €80/month upto €125 per month depending on the final selection you’ve made.  

Healthcare

The Dutch healthcare system is highly rated but comes with mandatory insurance costs that vary from €165 and higher. Next to that the Dutch law indicated that each person above the age of 18 years old, needs to have a personal health care insurance.

Healthcare Insurance

The basic health insurance (mandatory for all residents of the Netherlands from the moment they are registered) will vary between €140 and €165 per month in 2025. The exact amount depends on the provider and your personal situation. Aside, each resident pays an annual own risk (of maximum €385) that has to be paid out of pocket in case you actually uses certain types, non routine, of healthcare  until this treshold is met.

Supplementary insurances

Each insurance provider offers supplementary insurance options, allowing individuals to create a tailored package to suit their specific needs. Every year in November, providers are required to publish an overview of the services included in their modules, the associated costs, and the percentage that can be reimbursed for specific types of car

Additional Costs

Dental care for adults and other non-standard treatments require supplementary insurance or out-of-pocket payments.

Other insurances

Beyond health insurance, several other types of insurance are common in the Netherlands.

Liability insurance (Dutch: “aansprakelijkheidsverzekering”):

Depending on the provider and the coverage costs are around €5–€10 per month/ per person.

Home and contents Insurance

Costs are around €10–€20 per month for tenants of rentals. This insurance is higher for homeowners, actual costs depend on the size of house, the value of the furniture and the amount of people living in it.

Car insurance

In case you own a car, it is mandatory having it insured. Expect to pay €50–€150 monthly, depending on your vehicle, claim-free years, age of driver, location type of car and the selected coverage.

Transportation

The Netherlands has an excellent public transport network, good roads and is famously bike-friendly with most separate biking lanes of all European countries.

Public Transport

Public transportation in the Netherlands is highly efficient and well-connected, offering various options for traveling within and between cities. Here's a breakdown of the main modes of public transport, their features, and how they differ:

Trains (Treinen)

Operated primarily by NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), the train system forms the backbone of intercity commute. Ideal for long-distance commuting between cities and regions.

Types of Trains:

Sprinter: Stops at all stations along the route, useful for short distances or accessing smaller towns.

Intercity: Faster trains that only stop at major cities or towns.

Intercity Direct: High-speed trains between major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Breda (extra surcharge applies).

International Trains: Includes Thalys, Eurostar, and ICE, connecting the Netherlands with neighbouring countries.

Key Features:

Regular schedules (often every 10–30 minutes).

Comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi on many routes, and charging points in some trains.

A monthly public transport pass costs €120–€200, depending on the region and travel zones.

Single-use fares start around €5.00 for short distances.

Buses (Bussen)

Buses serve areas that trains don't reach, including suburban and rural locations. Best for short to medium distances, especially for areas without train stations.

Operators: Multiple companies, including Arriva, Connexxion, Qbuzz, and others.

Types of Buses:

City Buses: Operate within cities and towns, with frequent stops.

Regional Buses: Connect smaller towns and rural areas to cities.

Express Buses: Faster buses with fewer stops, often connecting cities and towns directly.

Key Features:

Affordable fares and frequent schedules, though less reliable in rural areas at night.

 Trams (Trams)

Trams operate in cities and are particularly common in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. Best for traveling within urban areas, especially for short distances.

Operators: Local operations as GVB (Amsterdam), RET (Rotterdam), HTM (The Hague), and U-OV (Utrecht).

Key Features:

Frequent stops within city centers.

Easy access for passengers with mobility issues.

 Metro (Metro)

The metro system is available in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and parts of The Hague. Designed for rapid travel within and between urban areas.

Key Features:

Underground and overground routes.

Fewer stops than trams but faster transit times.

Ideal for commuters and travellers covering longer urban distances.

 Ferries (Veerboten)

Ferries operate in coastal cities like Amsterdam and the Wadden Islands. Connecting areas separated by water, including Amsterdam North and central Amsterdam, or accessing the Wadden Islands Texel, Terschelling, Ameland or Vlieland.

Key Features:

Amsterdam ferries (operated by GVB) are free and primarily used for short crossings.

Ferries to islands require tickets and are used for recreational or logistical travel.

Cycling

The Netherlands and her citizens are famous for this way of transportation and the Netherlands have most bike lanes  in Europe, 37.000km in total. 27% of all transportation is done by bike in the Nertherlands, the highest worldwide.

A new citybike costs €350 – €1,000, while second-hand bikes can be found for €50–€200. And if you can’t ride a bike yet? Some cities offer lessons so you can get around safe. Invest in a good lock for your bike, the Netherlands has a culture of illegal bike loaning and never return it to it’s original owner.

Driving

Fuel costs around €2,30 per liter, and road taxes vary depending on your car’s weight and emissions (starting from €40 monthly). Also an insurance for your car is mandatory being to drive a car within the Netherlands and the European mainland.

Groceries

Food costs really depend on your eating habits but are generally moderate by European standards. The Netherlands has a great amount of supermarkets with products that vary in price, Lidl and Aldi are consider more budget friendly than for example Jumbo and Albert Heijn, though the products are similar, the selection of these last two are broader in range.

Monthly grocery budget

A single person: €300 – €450

A family of four: €600 – €900

Leisure and Entertainment

Enjoying the Dutch lifestyle involves costs for leisure activities and cultural outings is a part of the Dutch culture and come with costs.

Dining Out

Dining out is a popular pastime in the Dutch culture. With a broad selection on kitchen and type of meals or menu’s you can find surely some within your taste. The prices for courses in restaurants varying depending on the type establishment and, of course the type food serving. Several websites show participating restaurant in certain areas including price ranges, visitors references and a tool for booking your table. This last is highly recommended in the higher dense areas on Thursday, Friday and the weekend.

Example platforms:

www.Tripadvisor.nl - travel platform, also offering details about restaurants.

www.thefork.nl – information and booking platform for 12 greater cities in the Netherlands

Sports

The Netherlands is a sporty and fit country, with a running and bike culture and children starting with sports at a young age. Most providers have a website providing more details about the costs and facilities.

Fitness

Every (midsize) city or town has a gym where you can fitness based on a certain subscription. Depending on the selected criteria (frequence, training and professional guidance and additional services provided, a gym memberships range from €50 to €80 per month.

Cultural Activities

Movie theater

Especially during school holidays and when the weather is bad,  Dutchies like to go to a movie theatre. Even midsize and larger city has a movie theatre, large or small and with different type of movies. For the commercial movies theatres as Pathe and Kinepolis.

Movie tickets cost around €12 upto €20 depending on the movie, it’s length and the experience (3D, special seats etc.)

Museum

Exploring museums in the Netherlands is a rich cultural. Museum entrance fees typically range between €10 and €30 per visit, depending on the institution. Larger, renowned museums like the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam tend to charge on the higher end of this spectrum, while smaller, regional museums may be more affordable.

For frequent museum-goers or families, the Museumkaart offers excellent value. Priced at €75 per year (and slightly less for children), this pass provides unlimited access to over 500 museums across the country, including top attractions and hidden gems. A single visit to three or four major museums can already justify the cost of the card, making it a worthwhile investment for culture enthusiasts.

Additionally, many museums offer free or discounted entry on specific days or for certain groups, such as students or children. Special exhibitions may require an additional fee, so it's worth checking in advance.

Theme parks

Visiting theme parks in the Netherlands is a popular leisure activity, particularly for families, but it can be a significant expense. Entrance fees for major theme parks range between €25 and €50 per person, depending on the park and whether tickets are purchased in advance.

The most famous theme park, Efteling, offers a magical experience with fairy-tale-themed attractions and charges around €52 per ticket for adults, with discounts available for children and seniors. Parks like Duinrell, which combines amusement rides with a water park, have entry fees starting at €25, while smaller regional parks may charge less.

For those planning multiple visits, annual passes can be a cost-effective option. For example, an Efteling annual pass costs around €215, providing unlimited access throughout the year, along with discounts on parking and dining. Some parks also offer group discounts or family packages that reduce overall costs.

Additional expenses to consider include parking fees (usually €5–€15) and food and drink inside the park, which can add up quickly. Packing snacks or taking advantage of picnic areas can help manage these costs.

Childcare

When parents work in the Netherlands,  the offer of daycare possibilities for young children (until they reach of the age of 4 years) and children who go to school and in need of after-school care is broad. In all regions different providers offer full care based on age and needs.

The costs for childcare in the Netherlands can be significant, rating between €12-€18 an hour. The care is offset by a well-structured system that guarantees quality care and various options for family needs. The cost of childcare depends on the type of care, the hours used, and the provider. Childcare centers (kinderdagverblijven) and after-school care (buitenschoolse opvang) are popular choices for working parents.

The amount reimbursed by the government depends on the parents' income, the number of children, and the type of childcare. In 2025, the maximum hourly rates are as follows:

Daycare (Dagopvang): €10.71

After-School Care (Buitenschoolse opvang): €9.52

Childminder Care (Gastouderopvang): €8.10

Childcare organizations and childminders are free to set their own hourly rates. The government provides a subsidy for childcare costs up to the maximum hourly rate. Any difference between the provider’s hourly rate and the maximum hourly rate must be paid by the parents themselves.

 The total monthly cost depends on the number of hours a child attends, which parents arrange directly with the childcare provider. Some centers also charge additional fees for meals, diapers, or extracurricular activities.

Parents must ensure that the childcare facility is registered in the Dutch Landelijk Register Kinderopvang (LRK), as only registered providers are eligible for reimbursement.

Final Thoughts

The cost of living in the Netherlands can vary greatly depending on the location, number of family members and lifestyle choices. By understanding the key expense categories and exploring cost-saving tips, it’s possible to enjoy the Dutch lifestyle while staying within budget.

Get in touch with the team if you want to learn more and