Living Costs in The Netherlands

The Netherlands is not the cheapest country in Europe, but it is a country that can offer you one of the most beautiful periods of your life. The way the Dutch live is extremely healthy, industries are always growing, and safety is one of the main advantages of this country.

If you will be coming to the Netherlands in the near future as an employee of an international company, or if you simply want to visit the Netherlands as a tourist, you should know what the most important costs of living in the Netherlands are. Accommodation, Food, Health, Education, and many other topics will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

Living Costs in the Netherlands - Most Expensive Cities

Like any other country, the Netherlands has a list of the most expensive cities, which when compared to other expensive cities in other countries, can give a good idea of what the highest living costs are. If you have traveled or worked in other European cities, you will have a good understanding of the costs and how much you need to earn to lead a decent life in the Netherlands.

Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Amsterdam are four important cities in the Netherlands that are about 40% more expensive than Madrid. Therefore, the Netherlands is much more expensive than Spain. Compared to Germany, each of these four cities has similar costs to Munich or about 5% higher.

If you have lived in London, New York, or Paris, you will be pleased to know that the Netherlands is 15%, 25%, and even 40% cheaper than each of them. We find it important to mention these details as many people who want to work in the Netherlands already have experience living abroad.

How much does rent cost in the Netherlands?

The true living costs in the Netherlands become evident when you need to secure accommodation. Most people visiting the Netherlands will need to rent an apartment. DB Work employees have the advantage of enjoying included rent in their employment contract. But if you're curious about rental costs, we have all the information, especially since such a cost can give you an idea of how expensive life is in the Netherlands. Real estate is a good criterion for the level of development of a country.

The Netherlands is a highly mobile country where many foreigners work and live. Since they cannot afford to buy property, the demand for rental housing is very high. And because the demand is high, it is very difficult to find affordable rent in a good area that offers everything you need. And all these factors translate to high prices. The Netherlands is not a country with low rent prices. Compared to other countries in Europe, rent in the Netherlands can even reach 2000 euros. Accommodations are becoming increasingly difficult to find in the Netherlands, which is why it's extremely important that before you go to work in the Netherlands, you ensure you will have accommodation. With DB Work, you won't have to worry about this, as we provide you with accommodation with included utilities from the moment you arrive in the Netherlands.

In Amsterdam or The Hague, rental costs reach the highest values in the whole of the Netherlands. For a one-bedroom apartment, rent can start at 1000 euros. If you want to live in a central area of The Hague, rent can even reach 1750 euros.

This is often a disadvantage for students or young people. They prefer to live together and share the rental costs rather than living alone. And this is also true for expatriates. Many people choose to share rental costs with friends/colleagues in order to better manage their finances.

Living Costs in the Netherlands - Utility Prices

Rent is already quite expensive in the Netherlands, but every citizen is obligated to pay for what they consume. This includes gas, electricity, drinking water, and certain annual taxes. Monthly costs for consumables like gas or electricity can reach up to 150 euros.

Depending on the apartment you live in, you may also need to pay an annual tax. In Amsterdam, if you live in a one-bedroom apartment, you are required to pay a 326-euro tax per year. If you live in an apartment with more rooms, the tax is 435 euros per year. All these costs can vary depending on the city you live in, the employment contracts you sign, and the area you decide to live in.

We've already mentioned that DB Work professionals don't need to worry about these things, right? With us, accommodation and utilities are provided by the company and a whole team of specialists working to make your life easier.

Medical Costs in the Netherlands

The medical system in the Netherlands is one of the strongest reasons why some people even choose to move to this country. Furthermore, the technology and the level to which this system has advanced are of exceptional quality. However, to benefit from such an advanced medical system, every citizen must pay certain taxes.

It is crucial to know that whether you are a citizen of the European Union or not, you will be required to have basic health insurance (Zorgverzekeringswet). This insurance gives you access to standard medical services such as long-term medical care, prescriptions, routine medical check-ups. This insurance can cost up to 120 euros per month.

DB Work professionals don't need to worry about medical emergencies, as they have medical insurance included in their contract, and for all health issues they may have, they can turn to our support team for help with appointments.

Food, Basic Needs, and Shopping

The basic need for everyone is food, and the Dutch are known for promoting a healthy lifestyle. For a family of two or three members, the monthly budget for food, water, and all necessary groceries is about 500 euros. This amount is valid for those who shop at affordable supermarkets like Lidl. For a student, costs can be much lower, and for people who choose to buy certain foods from local markets, costs can be reduced by up to 20%.

The Dutch prioritize a very healthy lifestyle. This is also due to the mode of transportation they prefer. There are more bicycles in the Netherlands than there are people, and in traffic, you will often see more people on bicycles than in cars. In line with this healthy lifestyle, you should prepare to pay between 20 and 50 euros for a gym membership.

The cost of bicycles is quite low considering how developed this sector is. With a bit of luck, you can buy a decent bicycle for just a few tens of euros.

Is it an expensive lifestyle?

Living in the Netherlands is neither cheap nor very expensive. If you pay 1000 euros in rent, spend 400 euros on food, pay all taxes and utilities, you can live in the Netherlands with an income between 1500-2000 euros.

However, if most of your needs are provided: such as accommodation, transportation to and from work, included utilities, and insurance in your employment contract, you will have money left over for savings.

And with DB Work, you have it all.

If you're interested in working in the Netherlands in the naval, industrial, logistics, or constructions fields, contact the DB Work team or send your CV to job@dbwork.com, and check our daily job vacancies!

An employment contract in the Netherlands through DB Work brings numerous benefits. Find the complete list of benefits in our article!