Netherlands

Living in Netherlands: the short version

The Netherlands is one of Europe’s easiest countries to work in using only English, with an efficient visa route for sponsored skilled migrants and a tax break for recruited expats. The catch is a severe housing shortage, especially in Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague.

Best for: Skilled professionals with an employer sponsor, and US entrepreneurs using the DAFT treaty.

How to move to Netherlands: main visa and residency routes

Summaries only — requirements and income thresholds change. Always check the official sources below.

Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant)

Employer-sponsored permit with salary thresholds; employers must be IND-recognised sponsors.

Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT)

Self-employment residence for US citizens with a modest business investment.

Orientation year (zoekjaar)

For recent graduates of Dutch or top-ranked foreign universities to find work.

Healthcare for newcomers

Basic private health insurance is compulsory for residents and is regulated by the government; premiums are modest and there is an annual deductible.

How Netherlands compares

Calculated from our data for all 55 countries. How we calculate this

Cost of living rank

15th most expensive of 55

Single person, core costs

$1,860/mo

Family of four, core costs

$3,304/mo

Take-home on $60,000

$42,449/yr

• Renting a one-bedroom home takes about 25% of the average local salary in Netherlands, less than the median of 36% across the countries we cover.
• Core monthly costs for one person (rent, groceries, transport, utilities, internet and eating out) come to about $1,860, or 43% of the average local monthly salary.
• On a gross salary of $60,000 taxed locally, our estimate leaves $42,449 a year after income tax and employee social security (an effective rate of 29%), the 34th highest take-home pay of 55 countries. After single-person core costs, that leaves roughly $20,129 a year to save or spend.
• Countries with a similar overall cost of living: New Zealand, Austria, Japan.
• Cheaper options in Europe: Germany, Malta, Italy.

Estimates for planning, using simplified national tax brackets in US dollars; local taxes, deductions and your own spending will differ. Try your own numbers in the tax calculator or budget planner.

Our guides to Netherlands

• Moving to Netherlands: Complete Expat Guide · Immigration

Sources and methodology

Figures on this page are estimates in US dollars, compiled from the international datasets below and converted at recent exchange rates. The cost of living index uses New York City as 100. Guidance was last reviewed on September 30, 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.