Menu

Home / Cities / Amsterdam

Brits in Amsterdam

Everything you need to move to, rent in and enjoy Amsterdam as a Brit, and how it fits with your UK tax, pension, money and paperwork.

Your community group

ExpatCuppa Netherlands | Brits in the Netherlands

Free group for Brits in the Netherlands: questions, tips, meetups, Sunday roasts and the footie.

Opening soon
Official Britain

British Embassy The Hague

The UK's embassy in the Netherlands (no consulate in Amsterdam): passports, emergency help and consular services, by appointment

Lange Voorhout 10, 2514 ED The Hague, Netherlands

Website · Map

Votes for lifeVote from AmsterdamLiving abroad doesn't cost you your vote. Register as an overseas elector, choose a proxy or postal vote, and renew every three years.
How to vote

Amsterdam Partners

Katharina Bergauer, innsicht

Global partner · online

The inner move

A move abroad changes more than your postcode. Katharina Bergauer (innsicht) supports individuals, couples and families before the move and until everyone feels at home. Online, in English or German.

Katharina Bergauer

Eintragungsnummer: 17784

Book a first conversation

Global partner · online

Learn the language

Get to grips with the language where you live, keep the kids' English sharp or prep for an exam. Live online lessons with qualified teachers since 1991: English and the main world languages, 1:1 or in small groups, for adults, kids and household staff.

Cambridge School of English Online

Cambridge School of English sp. z o.o.Warsaw, Poland · online since 1991

Take the free level test

Open

Your business here: partner in Amsterdam

Are you a highly recommended business for Brits in Amsterdam? One partner per category, so there's no competitor next to you.

Apply All partner slots

Partners pay to be featured. Our guides are written independently. Meet all our partners

Guides for life in Amsterdam

Basics

Cost of living in Amsterdam: what Brits really pay compared with London

Amsterdam rent is London-level, health insurance is a new bill and the trams are cheap. Here's how the big costs compare with London and the UK average, in euros and pounds.

Basics

BSN, DigiD and registering at the gemeente: the three things you can't do without in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam almost everything, from your first payslip to your health insurance, waits on a BSN. Here's how to register with the City, get the number and set up DigiD without a wasted trip.

Basics

Learning Dutch in Amsterdam: why it's worth it, even if work is in English

Amsterdammers switch to English the moment you stumble. Here's why Dutch still pays off, when the civic integration exam applies to Brits, and how to learn it.

Money and work

Dutch taxes for Brits: the box system, leaving HMRC behind and your UK State Pension

Move to Amsterdam and the Belastingdienst taxes your worldwide income in three boxes, but HMRC only lets go when the UK rules say so. Here's how the two fit, from the P85 to your pension.

Money and work

Banking in the Netherlands: opening a Dutch account, keeping your UK one and moving money

You'll need a Dutch bank account for almost everything in Amsterdam, from rent to the bike shop. Here's how to open one fast, what to keep in the UK, and how to move money between them.

Money and work

The 30% ruling for Brits: who gets the Dutch expat tax break, and what changes in 2027

The Dutch expat scheme lets your employer pay up to 30% of your salary tax-free for five years. Here's the 2026 salary test, the 150 km rule, the cap and the cut to 27% coming in 2027.

Money and work

Box 3 explained: how the Dutch tax your savings, investments and UK ISAs

The Dutch don't tax the interest you earn so much as the interest they think you earned. Here's how Box 3 works in 2026, what the courts changed, and where your ISA fits.

Money and work

Freelancing in the Netherlands: the KVK, VAT, tax breaks and the false self-employment crackdown

Going freelance in Amsterdam is quick to set up and slow to get right. Here's who can do it, the KVK and VAT steps, the 2026 tax breaks and why the taxman is watching ZZPers.

Home

Renting in Amsterdam: where Brits live, what it costs and the rules that protect you

Amsterdam is the priciest rental market in the Netherlands, but Dutch tenants have strong rights. Here's where Brits live, what you'll pay in 2026, and the rules and scams to know.

Home

Buying a home in Amsterdam: why everyone overbids, and the mortgage and tax rules for Brits

In Amsterdam the asking price is where the bidding starts. Here's how overbidding works, how much Dutch lenders will lend, the 2026 transfer tax rules and what newcomers should know.

Moving and visas

Moving to Amsterdam as a Brit: the residence routes that actually work

Since Brexit, Brits moving to Amsterdam are third-country nationals. Here are the routes the IND actually offers, what they cost in 2026, and what to sort out in your first week.

Moving and visas

Dutch residence for Brits: the highly skilled migrant scheme, the self-employed permit and Withdrawal Agreement rights

Most Brits moving to Amsterdam now come on the highly skilled migrant scheme; a few go self-employed. Here are the 2026 thresholds, fees and tests, plus what earlier arrivals keep.

Health

Healthcare in Amsterdam: compulsory insurance, the S1 and finding a huisarts who speaks English

There's no NHS in the Netherlands: every resident takes out health insurance within four months. Here's how British newcomers in Amsterdam get covered and find a GP.

Schools and study

Schools in Amsterdam: British-curriculum and international schools, fees and the route to UK universities

A levels in Amsterdam Zuid, the IB in Amstelveen, or a subsidised international school for a fraction of the price: here's how British families in Amsterdam choose a school.

Schools and study

Dutch schools in Amsterdam: free local schools, the school advice at 12 and the international streams

Dutch schools are free, start at four and sort children into streams at twelve. Here's how the system works for British families in Amsterdam, and the international options in between.

Getting around

Driving in the Netherlands with a UK licence, and getting around Amsterdam without a car

Your UK licence works for 185 days after you move to the Netherlands, then it must be swapped. Here's how in Amsterdam, plus the trams, fare caps and bikes that mean many never drive.

Getting around

Cycling in Amsterdam: the rules, the fines and how not to lose your bike

In Amsterdam the bike is how you get to work, the shops and the pub. Here are the rules and fines, how to keep your bike from being nicked, and whether to buy or lease.

Community

British life in Amsterdam: poppies, pints and finding your people

Amsterdam's British crowd is spread out but well served: a society going since 1920, a Legion branch, a cricket club in the woods, a rugby club and pubs that show the Premier League.

Community

Dutch directness and making friends: a Brit's guide to the Amsterdam agenda

The Dutch will tell you your haircut doesn't suit you and book a coffee with you for three weeks on Thursday. Here's how to decode it and how Brits make friends in Amsterdam.

Going out

British food in Amsterdam: a full English, a Sunday roast and where to find the Marmite

Amsterdam does a proper full English, a cream tea with clotted cream and a Sunday roast with Yorkshire-style trimmings, if you know where to look. Here's where to go and what it costs.

Going out

Nightlife in Amsterdam: where Brits go out once the stag dos have gone home

Forget the stag-do version. Amsterdam has all-night clubs, cracking gig venues, cosy brown cafés and a night bus home. Here's where to go, what it costs and the rules to know.

Compare propertyBuy in Amsterdam or back in the UK?Mortgages, stamp duty, buying costs and capital gains side by side.
Compare

Britain in Amsterdam

Free listings we choose and check: the British mission, clubs, party groups, sport, schools, pubs, shops and churches. Every entry checked on its own or an official 2025–2026 page (2026-11); listings are not paid. Tell us on WhatsApp if something has changed.

Official Britain

British Embassy The Hague

The UK's embassy in the Netherlands (no consulate in Amsterdam): passports, emergency help and consular services, by appointment

Lange Voorhout 10, 2514 ED The Hague, Netherlands

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

Business and networking

Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)

Chamber for British-Dutch business: forums, networking events, awards and a mentoring programme

De Malietoren, 18th floor, Bezuidenhoutseweg 12, 2594 AV The Hague

Website · Map · info@nbcc.co.uk · Facebook · X · LinkedIn

Clubs and associations

The British Society of Amsterdam and the Netherlands

Volunteer society serving British expats since 1920: Bonfire Night, Burns Night, battlefield tours, boat trips and an annual ball; open to all

Website · Map · communications@britsoc.nl · Facebook

Royal British Legion

Royal British Legion Holland Branch

Netherlands-wide RBL branch, formed in 2010 from earlier branches; Remembrance and welfare support, membership open to all

Website · Map

Party groups abroad

Listed side by side, in alphabetical order. We don't favour any party.

Conservatives Abroad – Amsterdam

Amsterdam branch of the Conservative Party's organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in Amsterdam

Website

Labour International – Netherlands branch

Netherlands branch of the Labour Party's organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in the Netherlands

Website

Lib Dems in Europe

European branch of the Liberal Democrats' organisation for members abroad, serving members and supporters in Europe outside France, including the Netherlands

Website

Sport

VRA Cricket Club

Amsterdam's leading cricket club, playing in the Amsterdamse Bos (Amstelveen), with men's, women's, youth and recreational teams

Nieuwe Kalfjeslaan 21B, 1182 AA Amstelveen

Website · Map · +31 20 345 34 14 · Facebook · X

Schools and universities

School

Winford Bilingual Amsterdam

Private bilingual English–Dutch primary near Museumplein, ages 4–12, blending the UK National Curriculum, Dutch curriculum and IPC

Website · Map · +31 85 079 1030 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

School

The British School of Amsterdam

Independent school teaching the EYFS and the National Curriculum for England through to Sixth Form

Havenstraat 6, 1075 PR Amsterdam

Website · Map · +31 20 679 7840

British Council

British Council Netherlands

UK cultural and education office near Leidseplein; visits by appointment only, and no school or university exams in the Netherlands

Raamplein 1, 1016 XK Amsterdam

Website · Map · +31 20 550 6060

British Council

BLTC – British Language Training Centre

Runs IELTS in the Netherlands with the British Council and Cambridge; also Cambridge English exams and preparation courses

Prinsengracht 400, 1016 JB Amsterdam

Website · Map · +31 20 622 3634 · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

Pubs and restaurants

Our guide to British food, shops and pubs in Amsterdam

Pub

St James's Gate

Irish pub on Rembrandtplein showing Premier League and Champions League; full Irish breakfast, fish and chips, Sunday roast

Rembrandtplein, Amsterdam

Website · Map

Pub

Three Sisters

Pub on Rembrandtplein showing Premier League, Championship, rugby, darts and snooker

Rembrandtplein 19, 1017 CT Amsterdam

Website · Map · 020 626 33 46 · Facebook

Pub

O'Reilly's

Irish pub by Dam Square; basement bar shows Premier League and other sport; Sunday roast

Paleisstraat 103-105, 1012 ZL Amsterdam

Website · Map · +31 20 6249498 · Facebook · Instagram

Pub

Hoopman Irish Pub

Irish pub on Leidseplein showing Premier League, Six Nations and GAA on Sky Sports, BBC and RTE; fish and chips

Leidseplein 4, 1017 PT Amsterdam

Website · Map · 020 623 44 19 · Facebook · Instagram

Pub

O'Donnell's

Irish pub in De Pijp behind the Heineken brewery, showing football and rugby

Ferdinand Bolstraat 5, De Pijp, Amsterdam

Website · Map · +31 20 676 77 86 · Instagram

Afternoon tea

Greenwoods

British-style café on the Singel: full English breakfast, scones with clotted cream, cream tea and high tea (book ahead for high tea)

Singel 103, 1012 VG Amsterdam

Website · Map · +31 20 623 7071 · Facebook · Instagram

Churches

Christ Church Amsterdam

Church of England chaplaincy (Diocese in Europe) with Sunday services in the city centre, Amstelveen and Amsterdam South-East

Groenburgwal 42, 1011 HW Amsterdam

Website · Map · +31 20 624 8877 · Facebook · Instagram · X

Follow ExpatCuppa

ExpatCuppa is free for everyone, with hundreds of guides to help Brits abroad. If you find it useful, do give us a follow on your favourite platforms. It really helps!

Chat with us