American Expat Groups in Amsterdam You Should Join

One of the hardest parts of moving to the Netherlands? Making friends as an adult in a new country where you don't know anyone.

We're not naturally extroverted people. The idea of showing up to meetups with strangers made us anxious. But after two months of only talking to each other and our kids, we realized we needed to put ourselves out there.

Six months later, we have a solid group of American expat friends, know where to find community when we need it, and actually have a social life. Here's where we found our people—and which groups are actually worth your time.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• Best Facebook groups for American expats
• In-person meetups that don't feel awkward
• Professional networking groups
• Activity-based clubs where friendships happen naturally
• Which groups to skip

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Why American-Specific Groups?

Before we get into the list, a quick note: we also have Dutch friends and international friends from other countries. But there's something valuable about connecting with other Americans who get the specific weirdness of being American in the Netherlands.

They understand why you're excited about finding peanut butter cups. They know what you mean when you say you miss Target. They get the culture shock, the visa stress, the homesickness.

You don't have to only hang out with Americans—but having that community available is really helpful, especially in the first year.

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Facebook Groups (Yes, Really)

We resisted Facebook groups at first. They seemed like they'd be full of complaints and drama. Some are. But others are genuinely useful and supportive.

1. Americans in Amsterdam

Members: ~8,000

Vibe: Active, helpful, mostly positive

What it's for: General questions, advice, venting, meetup announcements

Our take: This is the main hub. People ask everything from "where to find ranch dressing" to "how to file US taxes from abroad." The community is generally helpful and not too judgmental.

Pros:

• Very active (multiple posts per day)
• Quick responses to questions
• Regular meetup announcements
• Good mix of newbies and long-timers

Cons:

• Some repetitive questions
• Occasional drama
• Can be overwhelming if you're in too many groups

Worth joining? Yes, absolutely. This should be your first stop.

2. American Women in Amsterdam

Members: ~3,000

Vibe: Supportive, less snarky than mixed groups

What it's for: Women-specific topics, friendships, advice, meetups

Our take: One of us (the female half) is in this group and loves it. More personal than the general groups, with regular coffee meetups and activities.

Pros:

• Supportive community
• Regular in-person meetups
• Less tolerance for negativity
• Good for making actual friends (not just online connections)

Cons:

• Women-only (obviously)
• Smaller than general groups

Worth joining? If you're a woman, yes.

3. Americans in the Netherlands (country-wide)

Members: ~12,000

Vibe: Similar to Amsterdam group but broader

What it's for: Questions and advice for Americans anywhere in the Netherlands

Our take: Good if you're not in Amsterdam, or if you want a broader perspective. More political discussions than the Amsterdam-specific group.

Pros:

• Larger community
• Perspectives from other cities
• Good for country-wide questions (taxes, visas, etc.)

Cons:

• Less relevant if you're specifically in Amsterdam
• More political debates

Worth joining? If you're outside Amsterdam, yes. If you're in Amsterdam, the city-specific group is probably enough.

4. DAFT Visa Netherlands

Members: ~2,000

Vibe: Focused, helpful, less social

What it's for: DAFT-specific questions and advice

Our take: Essential when you're going through the DAFT process. Less useful after you have your residence permit, but good to stay in for helping others.

Pros:

• Specific to DAFT
• People who've been through the process
• Up-to-date information

Cons:

• Not social (purely informational)
• Same questions asked repeatedly

Worth joining? Yes, especially before and during your DAFT application. For more DAFT guidance, see Complete DAFT Guide for US Citizens.

5. American Families in Amsterdam

Members: ~1,500

Vibe: Parent-focused, practical

What it's for: Parenting questions, school advice, kid-friendly activities

Our take: If you have kids, this is essential. People share school experiences, childcare recommendations, and organize playdates.

Pros:

• Specific to parenting challenges
• School recommendations and reviews
• Playdate opportunities
• Less judgment than some parenting groups

Cons:

• Only relevant if you have kids
• Can be overwhelming with notifications

Worth joining? If you have kids, absolutely. For more on moving with kids, see Moving to Amsterdam with Kids: Complete Guide.

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In-Person Meetups

Facebook groups are great for information, but you need real-life connections too.

Amsterdam Expat Meetup

What it is: Regular meetups organized through Meetup.com

Frequency: Multiple events per week

Typical events:

• Happy hours at bars
• Weekend brunches
• Walking tours
• Museum visits
• Sports activities

Our experience: We went to a happy hour our second month here. It was awkward for the first 15 minutes, then we met two other couples who'd just arrived via DAFT. We're still friends with them.

Tips for first-timers:

• Go early (easier to talk to people before it gets crowded)
• Bring business cards or have a way to exchange contact info
• Don't expect instant best friends—it takes a few meetups
• Try different events to find your people

Cost: Usually just whatever you order (drinks, food, etc.)

Worth it? Yes, but give it a few tries before deciding.

Americans Abroad Amsterdam

What it is: Organized social events for Americans

Frequency: Monthly-ish

Typical events:

• Thanksgiving dinner
• Fourth of July celebration
• Super Bowl watch party
• Election night gatherings

Our experience: The Thanksgiving dinner was great—about 50 Americans crammed into a restaurant, everyone bringing something. It felt like home.

Cost: Varies by event ($20-$50 typically)

Worth it? Yes, especially for major holidays when you're feeling homesick.

ACCESS (American Community in the Netherlands)

What it is: Official American expat organization

Membership: €50-€75 per year

What you get:

• Monthly newsletter
• Social events
• Professional networking
• Volunteer opportunities
• Resource library

Our take: We haven't joined yet (being cheap), but people who have say it's worth it if you want more structured community.

Best for: People who want organized activities and networking opportunities.

Worth it? If you're staying long-term and want structured community, probably yes.

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Professional Networking

If you're running a business for DAFT or working remotely, professional connections matter too.

American Chamber of Commerce Netherlands (AmCham)

What it is: Business networking organization

Membership: €300-€600 per year (varies by membership level)

What you get:

• Networking events
• Business resources
• Advocacy
• Connection to US and Dutch business communities

Our take: We joined because we're running businesses for DAFT. The networking events are high-quality—actual business connections, not just socializing.

Best for: Serious business owners, people wanting to grow their business in Netherlands.

Worth it? If you're treating your DAFT business as a real business, yes. If it's just a visa vehicle, probably not.

Startup Amsterdam Meetups

What it is: Various meetups for entrepreneurs and startup people

Frequency: Weekly

Typical events:

• Pitch nights
• Networking drinks
• Workshops
• Co-working sessions

Our take: Hit or miss. Some events are great, others feel like everyone's trying to sell you something.

Best for: Entrepreneurs, tech people, anyone wanting to build a business.

Worth it? Try a few and see. Free events are worth checking out.

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Activity-Based Groups (Where Real Friendships Happen)

Here's a secret: the best way to make friends is doing activities together, not just showing up to "make friends" events.

Amsterdam Hash House Harriers

What it is: "A drinking club with a running problem"

Frequency: Weekly runs

What happens: Group run/walk (3-5 km) followed by beer and socializing

Our take: We're not runners, but we tried it anyway. It's more about the social aspect than serious running. Very welcoming to newcomers.

Cost: €5 per run

Worth it? If you like running (or drinking), yes.

American Football Amsterdam

What it is: Pickup American football games

Frequency: Weekly during season

What happens: Casual flag football games in Vondelpark

Our take: We don't play, but we know people who do. Good for sports-oriented people who miss American football.

Cost: Free

Worth it? If you like football, absolutely.

Amsterdam Expat Spouses

What it is: Group for spouses who moved for their partner's job/visa

Frequency: Regular coffee meetups and activities

What happens: Coffee, walks, museum visits, support

Our take: One of us joined (the one who didn't initiate the DAFT move). It's been really helpful for dealing with the specific challenges of being the "trailing spouse."

Cost: Usually just coffee or activity cost

Worth it? If you moved for your partner, yes.

Book Clubs

What it is: Various English-language book clubs

Frequency: Monthly

Where to find: Facebook groups, Meetup.com, local bookstores

Our take: We joined one through the American Book Center. It's a nice low-pressure way to meet people with similar interests.

Cost: Free (just buy the book)

Worth it? If you like reading, yes.

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Where to Watch American Sports

This deserves its own section because it's a common question. For a full guide, see Where to Watch American Sports in Amsterdam.

Quick version:

Sports bars:

• Coco's Outback (best for NFL)
• The Bulldog (multiple locations)
• Café Kale (friendly, smaller)

Streaming:

• NFL Game Pass (all games)
• ESPN Player (some US sports)
• VPN + US streaming services (what we do)

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Groups to Skip (Honest Take)

Not every group is worth your time. Here are some we tried and didn't love:

"Expats in Amsterdam" (general expat groups): Too broad. You'll have more in common with other Americans than with random expats from 50 different countries.

"Americans in Europe": Too vague. Country-specific or city-specific groups are more useful.

Most "professional women" groups: Often feel like MLM recruitment or people trying to sell coaching services. There are exceptions, but be cautious.

Random WhatsApp groups: Someone always suggests starting a WhatsApp group. They die within two weeks. Stick to established groups.

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How to Actually Make Friends (Not Just Join Groups)

Joining groups is step one. Actually making friends requires more effort.

What worked for us:

1. Show up consistently

Go to the same meetup or activity multiple times. Friendships don't happen in one meeting.

2. Suggest one-on-one hangouts

Met someone you click with at a meetup? Suggest coffee or drinks. Don't wait for them to suggest it.

3. Host something

We invited a few people we'd met to our apartment for dinner. It was awkward to organize, but it deepened those connections.

4. Be vulnerable

Admit you're lonely, that you're struggling, that you miss home. Other people feel the same way and will appreciate your honesty.

5. Give it time

It took us four months to feel like we had a real friend group. That's normal. Don't give up after one awkward meetup.

What We Wish We Knew: Making friends as an adult in a new country takes longer than you think. We felt lonely for the first three months. That's completely normal. Keep showing up.

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Online Communities Beyond Facebook

Reddit:

• r/Amsterdam (general Amsterdam questions)
• r/Netherlands (country-wide)
• r/expats (international)

Discord:

• Several Amsterdam expat Discord servers (search "Amsterdam expat Discord")

Instagram:

• Follow Amsterdam expat accounts
• Engage with local American-owned businesses
• Join Instagram-organized meetups

Our take: These are fine for information but less useful for making real friends. Facebook groups and in-person meetups are better for actual community.

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Finding Community Outside American Groups

While this guide focuses on American groups, don't limit yourself.

We also found community through:

• Our kids' school (parent community)
• Neighbors (Dutch and international)
• Local gym/fitness classes
• Volunteering
• Language exchange meetups

The American groups were crucial for the first 6 months, but our social circle has expanded beyond just Americans. That's healthy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I'm introverted. Do I really need to join groups?

A: You don't need to, but we're introverts too and we're glad we did. Choose smaller, activity-based groups rather than big social events. Book clubs, running groups, etc. are easier than bar meetups.

Q: Will people be welcoming to newcomers?

A: Generally yes. Everyone was new once. Most people remember how hard it was and are happy to help. That said, you have to put in effort—don't expect people to chase you for friendship.

Q: How long does it take to make real friends?

A: For us, about 4-6 months. We met people earlier, but it took time for those connections to deepen into actual friendships.

Q: Are these groups just for people on work visas, or are DAFT people welcome?

A: DAFT people are absolutely welcome. Many people in these groups are on DAFT. No one cares what visa you're on.

Q: What if I don't live in Amsterdam?

A: Most major Dutch cities have American expat groups—Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven. Search Facebook for "[city name] American expats" or "[city name] expats."

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The Bottom Line

Moving to a new country is lonely. We're not going to sugarcoat that.

But there's a whole community of Americans in Amsterdam who've been through exactly what you're going through. They want to help. They want to be friends. You just have to show up.

Start with the "Americans in Amsterdam" Facebook group. Go to one meetup, even if it feels awkward. Try an activity-based group. Give it a few months.

It gets easier. You'll find your people.

Ready to start your DAFT journey? Our complete guide covers everything from requirements to application timeline. Get the Complete DAFT Guide →

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We're not immigration lawyers—just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.