Monthly Living Costs in NL: Real Numbers from Movers

We track every euro we spend. We have been doing this since we moved to the Netherlands under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) in 2024.

After two years, we have a pretty clear picture of what life actually costs here. Not the tourist version. Not the "expat bubble" version. The real, day-to-day version.

Here are our numbers, plus what we have gathered from other DAFT movers in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.

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Our Monthly Budget (Amsterdam, Couple)

Category	Monthly (EUR)	Monthly (USD)
Rent (1-bedroom, 55m2)	1,950	2,100
Utilities (gas, electric, water)	155	167
Health insurance (2 people)	280	302
Groceries	420	453
Dining out	160	172
Transportation	55	59
Phone plans (2 lines)	40	43
Internet	42	45
Entertainment/subscriptions	110	119
Miscellaneous	60	65
Total	3,272	3,525

We are a couple with no kids, living in Amsterdam Oost. We work from home, cook most meals, bike everywhere, and do not own a car.

Your numbers will look different. But this gives you a real starting point.

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The Big Three: Rent, Insurance, Groceries

Rent (60% of our budget)

Rent is by far the biggest expense. There is no way around it. Amsterdam is expensive, and housing is tight.

Here is what you can expect to pay in different cities as of early 2026:

Amsterdam:

• Studio: 1,200-1,700
• 1-bedroom: 1,600-2,200
• 2-bedroom: 2,100-2,900

Rotterdam:

• Studio: 900-1,300
• 1-bedroom: 1,200-1,700
• 2-bedroom: 1,600-2,200

The Hague:

• Studio: 850-1,200
• 1-bedroom: 1,100-1,600
• 2-bedroom: 1,500-2,100

Utrecht:

• Studio: 950-1,350
• 1-bedroom: 1,300-1,800
• 2-bedroom: 1,700-2,300

Reality Check: These prices are for the private rental market, which is where most DAFT visa holders end up. Social housing has long wait lists (10+ years in Amsterdam) and is not available to newcomers.

If rent is a concern, check out our breakdown of Rotterdam vs. Amsterdam costs. The savings can be significant.

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Health Insurance (Required)

Every resident of the Netherlands must have health insurance. No exceptions. The basic package (basisverzekering) runs about 130-145 per person per month.

It covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health, and emergency care. Dental is extra. Vision is extra.

There is a mandatory yearly deductible (eigen risico) of 385. That means you pay the first 385 of non-GP care out of pocket each year.

Pro Tip: GP visits (huisarts) are fully covered with no deductible. This is your first stop for everything medical. The Dutch system works differently than the US -- your GP is the gatekeeper to all other care.

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Groceries

We spend about 420 per month for two people. That is cooking at home 5-6 nights a week with lunches at home too.

Grocery stores ranked by price:

• Cheapest: Lidl, Aldi, Dirk
• Mid-range: Albert Heijn (AH), Jumbo
• Pricier: Marqt, Ekoplaza (organic)

Albert Heijn is everywhere and has a good bonus card program. We do most of our shopping there but hit Lidl for basics.

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City-by-City: What Real DAFT Movers Spend

We surveyed other Americans living in the Netherlands on DAFT visas. Here is what they report spending monthly (single person, no car):

Amsterdam

Category	Range (EUR)
Rent (1-bed)	1,600-2,200
All other costs	800-1,200
Total	2,400-3,400

Amsterdam is the most expensive city in the Netherlands. No surprise there. But the cultural life, English-friendliness, and startup scene make it worth it for many DAFT entrepreneurs.

Rotterdam

Category	Range (EUR)
Rent (1-bed)	1,200-1,700
All other costs	700-1,000
Total	1,900-2,700

Rotterdam is about 20-30% cheaper than Amsterdam. It has a younger, grittier energy that a lot of Americans love. The architecture alone is worth the move.

For a deeper look, see our real cost of moving to Amsterdam breakdown, which covers one-time costs too.

The Hague

Category	Range (EUR)
Rent (1-bed)	1,100-1,600
All other costs	700-1,000
Total	1,800-2,600

The Hague has a more international feel thanks to all the embassies and international organizations. Beach access is a bonus.

Utrecht

Category	Range (EUR)
Rent (1-bed)	1,300-1,800
All other costs	700-1,000
Total	2,000-2,800

Utrecht is charming, central, and slightly cheaper than Amsterdam. It is a university town with great food and culture.

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Costs That Catch Americans Off Guard

Utilities Are Higher Than You Expect

Gas and electricity in the Netherlands cost more than most of the US. We pay about 155 per month for a small apartment. In winter, that can spike to 200+ because of gas heating.

What We Wish We Knew: Dutch homes often use gas for heating and cooking. Energy prices spiked in 2022-2023 and have come down, but they are still higher than US averages. Budget 120-200 per month depending on apartment size and season.

No Free Water Refills

Tap water at home is great quality. But restaurants charge 3-5 for water. This is not a huge cost, but it surprised us coming from the US where water is free everywhere.

Subscriptions and Services

Netflix, Spotify, and similar services cost roughly the same. But some US services are not available or require a VPN. We kept a few US subscriptions running and added Dutch ones.

Monthly subscriptions: about 50-80 for streaming, cloud storage, and a VPN.

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How to Keep Costs Down

We have learned a few things over two years:

Housing: Consider cities outside Amsterdam. Rotterdam and The Hague offer great quality of life at lower rents. Even Amsterdam suburbs like Amstelveen or Diemen are cheaper.

Groceries: Shop at Lidl or Aldi for basics. Use the Albert Heijn bonus card. Visit outdoor markets for fresh produce -- they are cheaper and better than supermarket options.

Transport: Get a bike. Seriously. A used bike costs 100-200 and Dutch infrastructure makes cycling practical for almost everything. Public transport is good but adds up.

Dining: Lunch specials (dagschotel) are much cheaper than dinner. Many restaurants offer a fixed menu at lunch for 12-15.

Phone: Dutch phone plans are cheap. We pay 20 per person for unlimited calls, texts, and plenty of data. Compare at Belsimpel.

For more on what to budget before you even arrive, check out our post on whether Amsterdam is expensive for Americans.

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The Bottom Line

For a single person living in Amsterdam, budget 2,400-3,400 per month. For a couple, 3,000-4,200.

Outside Amsterdam, you can lower those numbers by 20-30%.

The Netherlands is not cheap. But it is also not as expensive as Manhattan, San Francisco, or even parts of LA. And you get a lot for your money: health insurance, great infrastructure, safety, and a high quality of life.

We spent more than we planned in our first six months. Settling-in costs are real. But once you are established, monthly expenses become predictable.

Do not forget to budget for the hidden costs that catch everyone off guard.

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