This guide sets out the Netherlands cost of living for expats in 2026, from rent and health insurance to bills, transport and childcare.
What changed in 2026 (and what is coming in 2027)
Several rule changes in 2025 and 2026 affect what an expat actually pays, and many cost-of-living pages online have not caught up with them. The most important are below. For the full relocation process, see our complete guide to moving to the Netherlands.
| Change | What it means for your budget | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rent regulation thresholds indexed (1 January 2026) | Homes scoring up to 186 points under the Dutch points system now have a maximum rent of €1,228.07 a month; social rent tops out at €932.93 | In force |
| Housing benefit (huurtoeslag) rent ceiling removed as a condition (2026) | A rent above the old ceiling no longer automatically rules you out of housing benefit, although income and other tests still apply | In force |
| Statutory minimum wage indexed (1 July 2026) | €14.99 gross an hour for workers aged 21 and over, up from €14.71 in the first half of 2026 | In force |
| 30% ruling tax-free share to fall to 27% (from 1 January 2027) | Lower net pay from 2027 for people whose ruling started on or after 1 January 2024; earlier rulings keep 30% | Legislated |
Rent: the biggest cost by far
Rent will usually be between a third and a half of an expat household’s spending, and it is the line where budgets most often go wrong.
Rents for new private-sector tenancies have kept rising in recent years, while the supply of private rental homes has been under pressure. Listing platforms publish quarterly rent figures, so check the latest data for the city you are considering before you set your budget.
Why rents are still climbing despite new regulation:
- The Affordable Rent Act (Wet betaalbare huur), introduced in July 2024, extended rent caps to mid-market homes scoring up to 186 points. The intention was lower rents for middle earners.
- In practice, some investors have sold rental homes rather than accept lower returns, which reduces the number of homes available to rent.
Callout: the income test. Many Dutch landlords require gross monthly income of at least three times the rent. For a €1,800 flat, that is about €5,400 gross a month. Some landlords will accept a guarantor or an employer statement, but do not assume it. Have your employment contract and recent payslips ready before you start viewing.
Regulated or not? If a home scores 186 points or fewer, the landlord may not legally charge more than the maximum rent for its points total (€1,228.07 at 186 points in 2026). If you suspect you are being overcharged on a regulated home, you can challenge the rent. Our sibling guide on renting explains the points system in detail.
City-by-city rent comparison
Amsterdam is in a different price bracket from the rest of the country. Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague sit close together, noticeably cheaper per square metre than the capital.
- Most expensive: Amsterdam, followed by nearby Amstelveen and Haarlem.
- Mid-range: Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague, which sit close together.
- Cheaper: many cities outside the Randstad, such as Apeldoorn and Enschede.
Actual rents vary widely by neighbourhood, size, furnishing and energy label, so use these bands as a guide and check current listings for exact prices.
Callout: do not overestimate the savings outside Amsterdam. Older budgets often treated Rotterdam and The Hague as dramatically cheaper. They are cheaper per square metre than Amsterdam, which is a real saving, but not enough to make a tight budget work on its own.
Health insurance: a cost you cannot avoid
Anyone who lives or works in the Netherlands and is covered by Dutch social insurance must take out a Dutch basic health insurance policy (basisverzekering), usually within four months of registering. Expats often underestimate this line because it does not exist, or is paid by an employer, in their home country.
| Item | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic premium (per adult, per month) | set by each insurer; compare policies | published by insurers in November 2026 |
| Compulsory annual deductible (eigen risico) | €385 | check the confirmed amount on the government website before you choose a policy |
| Voluntary deductible (optional, lowers premium) | up to €500 extra | up to €500 extra |
| Children under 18 | premium-free | premium-free |
Insurers send policies and premiums for the new year in November, and you can switch provider up to 31 December. Premiums for supplementary cover (dental, physiotherapy, glasses) are on top of the basic premium.
Lower earners may qualify for healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag). The amount depends on your income and is confirmed each year by the Dutch Tax Administration’s benefits service (Dienst Toeslagen).
Callout: International private medical insurance does not replace the Dutch basic policy if you are legally required to hold one. Some people, such as certain posted workers who remain covered by their home country’s social security, are exempt. Check your position before you buy anything.
Utilities, internet and phone
Budget for energy, water and related charges, internet and a mobile phone plan on top of rent. Energy costs depend heavily on the size of the home and its energy label, so ask for recent bills or an estimate before you sign. Most Dutch utility, internet and phone providers collect payment by direct debit from a Dutch account; see how to open a bank account in the Netherlands.
Energy tax rates are set nationally and change each year. In general, well-insulated, all-electric homes cost less to run than older gas-heated ones, so ask for the energy label before you sign a lease.
Also allow for municipal charges (waste collection, sewerage and water board levies), which are billed annually and vary by municipality. We have not been able to verify a reliable national average for 2026, so check your own municipality’s rates.
Transport costs
Public transport is good but not cheap. NS reviews train fares and season ticket prices each year, usually from 1 January, so check current prices on the NS website.
Many Dutch employers pay a tax-free travel allowance for commuting, so check your employment contract before budgeting for a season ticket. Car ownership adds insurance, road tax and parking permits, and in central Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague a residents’ parking permit can involve a long waiting list.
Food, eating out and everyday prices
Groceries are moderate by Western European standards. Eating out, especially in Amsterdam, is where costs climb.
Outside Amsterdam, restaurant and café prices are usually lower, but supermarket prices vary relatively little across the country because the major chains price nationally.
Childcare costs and allowances
Dutch childcare is expensive at full price but heavily subsidised for working parents through childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag). The allowance reimburses a percentage of costs up to a maximum hourly rate; anything your provider charges above that rate you pay yourself.
The maximum hourly rates and the reimbursement percentage for each income band are set each year; check the current figures and calculate your allowance on the Dienst Toeslagen website. For school-age children, see our guide to international schools in the Netherlands.
Callout: Many daycare centres in the Randstad charge more than the maximum hourly rate. The difference is not reimbursed, so ask for the provider’s hourly rate, not just the monthly fee, when comparing options.
Sample monthly budgets
A realistic monthly budget starts with rent, then adds basic health insurance for each adult, energy and water, internet and mobile, transport and, if relevant, childcare after allowance. Groceries, leisure and clothing depend heavily on lifestyle. One-off relocation costs, such as removals and deposits, are covered in how much it costs to move to the Netherlands.
Also remember the annual health deductible (€385 in 2026), which you may need to pay if you use hospital or specialist care. A financial services adviser can help you build a fuller household budget.
Salaries, the minimum wage and the 30% ruling
Income matters because Dutch landlords test it and because the tax position for expats is changing. Our Netherlands country hub lists advisers and service providers who work with expats.
- Statutory minimum wage: €14.99 gross an hour for workers aged 21 and over from 1 July 2026 (€14.71 in the first half of the year). It is indexed twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July.
- 30% ruling: qualifying skilled migrants recruited from abroad can receive part of their salary tax-free. For 2026, the taxable salary threshold is €48,013 (or €36,497 for people under 30 with a qualifying master’s degree), and the tax-free allowance is capped by reference to a maximum salary of €262,000.
- From 1 January 2027, the tax-free share is due to fall from 30% to 27%. People whose ruling started before 1 January 2024 keep 30%. Confirm your own position with the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) or a tax adviser.
Callout: A job offer that looks generous because of the 30% ruling can look rather different in 2027. When you compare offers, ask the employer to show your net pay both under the current 30% rate and under the 27% rate.
Frequently asked questions
