Cost of living in the Netherlands: prices for renting an apartment, utilities, food
The Netherlands is one of the most developed countries in the world with a high standard of living, education and medicine. In the 2021 cost of living survey conducted by international research center Mercer, Amsterdam ranked 44th. Living in the capital of the Netherlands is more expensive than in Berlin and Brussels, but cheaper than in Paris and London.
The average budget of a family of 2 people will be €2,400 per month.
Housing rent and cost of utilities in the Netherlands
You will spend most of the budget on housing rent. Apartment prices in the Netherlands have risen over the past few years and as a result, finding affordable accommodation in the main Dutch cities can be a challenge.
The highest prices for housing rent are in Amsterdam and The Hague. It will be much cheaper to live in small towns. Logistics will not be a problem, because the Netherlands is a small country and you can get to the nearest big city in a maximum of 20-30 minutes.
For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment in Amsterdam can range from 1,000 to 1,900 euros per month, depending on which neighborhood you live in. At the same time, the price of a three-bedroom apartment in the center of Amsterdam starts at 2,100 euros.
Life in The Hague is a little cheaper. Prices for a one-room apartment in the city center range from 900 to 1,750 euros per month. In Delft or Utrecht - from 650 to 900 euros.
Also, when planning a moving estimate, you should take into account preliminary expenses - a deposit, rent for one or two months, and current expenses.
The average cost of utilities is about 160 euros. Residents pay for gas and electricity, as well as sewer services and garbage collection.
Medical services
Health insurance is compulsory in the Netherlands. Everyone who lives in the country must take out Dutch health insurance, which consists of:
• basic insurance (Zorgverzekeringswet) – covers standard medical care procedures;
• Wet Langdurige Zorg – long-term care.
The cost of the basic health insurance package starts at 120 euros per month - this is primary medical care and the cost of prescription drugs.
If you are planning a short-term stay in the Netherlands, we advise you to take out travel insurance.
Television and communication in the Netherlands
Most Dutch internet companies offer packages that include internet, phone and TV. The cost is from 25 to 50 euros per month.
Food prices in the Netherlands
Prices for products in the Netherlands are much higher than, for example, in stores in Germany. The family should count on 450-500 euros per month. If you buy products in supermarkets Aldi, Lidl or at street markets, you can save from 10 to 15%. Also quite often, the Dutch go to supermarkets in Germany, especially from the border regions.
A standard dinner in an inexpensive restaurant will cost 10-15 euros per person, in a middle-class establishment - 40-90 euros. Tipping is not included in the bill and is usually up to 10%.
Beer costs 3-5 euros and house wine around 5 euros. If you plan to drink several types of beer or a glass of wine during dinner, you need to add 10 euros to the bill.
Transport and petrol costs in the Netherlands
Public transport in the Netherlands is represented by trams, buses, metros and trains. A ticket for 1 hour in Amsterdam costs 3.20 euros, a day ticket - 8.50 euros, a monthly pass will cost 80 euros.
However, residents of the Netherlands prefer to travel by bicycle, because the country has everything for this: flat terrain, a developed system of bicycle paths and parking lots, and the possibility of renting vehicles. Cyclists in the country are the main participants in road traffic, so such trips are quite safe. However, buying a new bike is quite expensive - on average from 250 to 500 euros, so the sale of used vehicles is quite popular - 50-150 euros.
As a reminder, the Netherlands provides asylum to Ukrainians, but since November 1, new rules for refugees have been introduced.
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The simultaneous stay of visitors in the hotel lobby not more than one person per 10 square meters of serviceable area is allowed.
Persons can visit hotels and stay there (outside hotel room) only if they wear respirator or face mask (including homemade mask), so that the nose and mouth are covered.
Hotel guests are obliged to keep the 1.5 meters distance.
Online check-in making in advance is recommended to avoid queues at check-in to hotel.
Meals in hotels are provided through meals delivery service to rooms upon prior order or at hotel restaurants situated inside or in open areas, provided the distance of at least 1.5 meters between seats at adjacent tables.
Not more than 4 clients are allowed to stay at the table (excluding children under 14 years old). Unless these tables are separated by a special partition;
Self-serve is not allowed.