Moving to Amsterdam from the UK: Complete guide

Dreaming of moving to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe? Amsterdam is a very popular destination for both tourists and expats from the UK. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about moving to Amsterdam from the UK, including the cost of living, what has changed for Brits after Brexit and much more.

We’ll also point out a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders – the Wise account from the money services provider Wise. It’s an international alternative to a bank account that lets you manage your money in 40+ currencies including British pounds and euros.

You can send, receive and convert money at great mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*. Your money is always safeguarded and every transaction is secured.

Looking to take your savings with you? Wise can also help you with large transfers.

Learn more about the Wise account 💰

Table of contents

Can you move to Amsterdam from the UK? Moving to Amsterdam from the UK after Brexit How to get a Dutch visa How to move to Amsterdam from the UK 1. Research the job market 2. Secure a job 3. Collect the necessary documents 4. Find accommodation 5. Look into health insurance and Dutch banks What’s the cheapest way to get to Amsterdam from the UK? Options for retiring in Amsterdam Living in Amsterdam - what you need to know Cost of living - how much money do you need to move to Amsterdam? Renting or buying property in Amsterdam Healthcare system Opening a bank account in the Netherlands Finding a job in Amsterdam Working in Amsterdam Checklist for moving to Amsterdam from the UK Save on your relocation costs to Amsterdam with Wise Conclusion

Can you move to Amsterdam from the UK?

Yes, you can move to Amsterdam from the UK as long as you’re able to meet the requirements and provide the necessary documents.

However, due to Brexit, UK passport holders are now considered third country nationals. This makes the process of moving more complicated, but not impossible, since there are many options for moving to Amsterdam from the UK.

Moving to Amsterdam from the UK after Brexit

UK nationals are considered third country nationals due to Brexit. This means that if you want to start living in Amsterdam, you’ll need to obtain a Dutch residence permit.

Various types of permits exist, depending on the reason for your move. These include family reunification, work, study and self-employment permits.¹

How to get a Dutch visa

The process starts at the Netherlands Embassy in London, where you’ll apply for an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV). You will need to schedule an appointment and submit the required supporting documents, including the MVV application form and your passport.²

Keep in mind that you must apply for a long-stay visa at least 3 months before moving to Amsterdam from the UK. The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) also has 90 days to make the decision.²

How to move to Amsterdam from the UK

When moving from the UK to Amsterdam, it's important to consider what you plan to do once you arrive. Let's briefly go through the steps involved in moving to Amsterdam for work as an example:

1. Research the job market

To receive a work permit and relocate to Amsterdam permanently, you’ll need to find a job in the Netherlands. Focus on researching in-demand positions, salary averages for jobs you’re interested in and any skill shortage lists. Try to find out whether your potential employers are recognised by the IND as valid sponsors.

You can begin your search on popular job-seeking websites like Monsterboard or Werk.nl, but recruitment agencies are also a good option.

2. Secure a job

Once you find a job you like, make sure you secure an official job offer. Your employer will then handle all applications on your behalf.

3. Collect the necessary documents

To obtain a residence permit, both you and your employer must meet certain criteria. This includes your employer being recognised by the IND as a valid sponsor and your position meeting the salary requirements.³

Check what documents are needed for your permit and send them to your employer. Once your employer applies on your behalf and you pay the €380 fee, all that’s left to do is wait for the decision.³

These are the general steps, but make sure you look for any updates.

4. Find accommodation

While you’re waiting to officially receive your residence permit, look for accommodation options. Both locals and expats use websites such as Huurwoningen and HousingAnywhere to find either temporary or permanent housing.

5. Look into health insurance and Dutch banks

Dutch public healthcare is excellent, but you can also take this time to explore private options. There are many providers available, and researching them in advance can help you be ready to make a decision when the time to move comes.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to research Dutch banks. You might even be able to apply for an account online before officially moving to Amsterdam.

This is just a brief overview of the steps you'll need to take. Additional steps may be required depending on your situation and the purpose of your stay. For example, the process differs if you're moving to Amsterdam on a family or student visa.

💡 Read more: How to open a European bank account online

What’s the cheapest way to get to Amsterdam from the UK?

You’re probably also calculating how much it will cost to travel or how much to move to Amsterdam from the UK. At the moment, the cheapest month for flying is January, when an average one-way ticket from London to Amsterdam costs £54.⁴

However, ticket prices can be much higher than this. For example, in the same month, you could also pay over £250 for a one-way ticket.⁵

Options for retiring in Amsterdam

If you're starting to think about retirement in Amsterdam, be aware that it's not a quick and easy process. The Netherlands doesn’t have a dedicated retirement visa, so you’ll need to obtain permanent residence the traditional way. This involves living and working in the Netherlands for at least five years.⁶

If you manage to retire in Amsterdam, you can also claim your UK state pension there. It can be paid into a UK bank account or an Amsterdam one, in which case you’ll be paid in the local currency. You can choose how often you’ll get paid - anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks. Contact the International Pension Centre to get the most recent information.⁷

Living in Amsterdam - what you need to know

Here are some basic facts you should know about Amsterdam if you’re considering moving there:

💰 Currency:	Euro (EUR)
🗣️ Main language:	Dutch
👥 Population:	918,117⁸
🇬🇧 Number of British expats:	around 16,000⁹

Cost of living - how much money do you need to move to Amsterdam?

Before officially moving to Amsterdam, it’s good to get an idea of what the cost of living there is, compared to the UK. On average, Amsterdam is much cheaper across all categories. For instance, rent prices in Amsterdam are around 26% lower compared to London, while groceries cost around 5% less.¹⁰

Let’s take a look at a few average prices for common spending categories in Amsterdam, compared to London:

• A three-course meal for two costs around £75 in Amsterdam, while it’s £80 in London
• A loaf of bread costs the same on average, £1.59 in Amsterdam and £1.60 in London
• A draught beer is around £5, compared to £6.30 back in the UK
• A monthly public transport pass costs around £68, compared to £200 in the UK
• Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is around £1,700, compared to £2,200 in the UK
• Utilities for a typical apartment are around £210 a month, compared to £257 in the UK¹⁰

Renting or buying property in Amsterdam

Whether you wish to rent or buy property in Amsterdam, this is something you might need help with. Since the process of finding a new home for yourself can be tiring, you should consider hiring a real estate agent to help guide you through everything.

Alternatively, you could search Amsterdam property websites on your own.

Here are some popular property websites in the Netherlands::

• Huurwoningen
• HousingAnywhere
• Pararius
• Rentola

Foreigners can buy property in the Netherlands, even if they’re non-residents. However, only a resident can apply for a mortgage.¹¹

💡 Read more: The best UK banks for sending money abroad

Healthcare system

The Netherlands has a great healthcare system. It’s even considered to be among the best in the world by some standards, but, in any case, it is of high quality.

Both public and private insurance are very good, but private insurance can help cover 100% of your potential medical issues. Some of the most popular providers are Allianz Care, AXA Global Healthcare and Cigna Global.¹²

Everybody in the Netherlands has basic health insurance and you’ll need to take it out within four months of getting a permanent residence permit. The basic coverage actually includes a variety of services, such as mental health care, speech-language pathology, physiotherapy for chronic conditions and emergency medical care abroad.¹³

Opening a bank account in the Netherlands

Opening a bank account in the Netherlands should be your top priority once you move to Amsterdam. It’s not only essential for rent, but also for handling everyday expenses and getting paid by your employer.

ABN AMRO is one of the banks that let you open an account even without a Citizen service number (BSN). You can apply both online and in person.¹⁴ Other popular Dutch banksinclude ING, Rabobank, Triodos and SNS Bank.

Whether you’ll be able to keep your UK bank account after moving depends on your bank. For example, Barclays closes your account once you move abroad.¹⁵

And, as an alternative to bank accounts, check out the Wise account. It enables you to send, receive, and spend in multiple currencies, including British pounds and euros.

Finding a job in Amsterdam

Ever since Brexit happened, it’s no longer possible to come to Amsterdam and look for a job freely. Instead, you could contact a recruitment agency like Adecco for help or search through job portals while in the UK.¹⁶

Here are some popular job-seeking websites in the Netherlands:

• Monsterboard
• Werk.nl
• Nationale Vacaturebank
• Indeed

Working in Amsterdam

When you secure a job in Amsterdam, your employer can start the residence permit application. But if you haven’t found a job and you’re the entrepreneurial type, you could also start your own business in Amsterdam. This would allow you to apply for a self-employment residence permit.¹

Checklist for moving to Amsterdam from the UK

Here’s a quick checklist what you need to have in order before moving to Amsterdam:

• Research the visa options and gather your documents
• Find a place to live, either online or by travelling to Amsterdam to view properties
• Get an estimate for shipping your belongings to Amsterdam
• Look into Amsterdam banks and see if they let you open an account before arriving
• Look into private health insurance
• Tell HMRC that you’re leaving the UK
• Book your flight to Amsterdam

Save on your relocation costs to Amsterdam with Wise

Before moving to Amsterdam, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and the Netherlands for low, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rate. You can also get the Wise card to spend in EUR from the moment you step off the plane. It works in 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency whenever you spend, only adding a tiny, upfront currency conversion fee.

Here’s an overview of the main benefits for using Wise:
Fast and easy setup with no physical paperwork Dedicated support for large transfers Sophisticated security and anti-fraud measures Low, upfront, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rates Fully trackable transfers Fast transfer times Two-factor authentication and real-time notifications

Sign up with Wise today 💰

Conclusion

The process of moving to Amsterdam from the UK is slightly more complicated after Brexit, as you’ll need a permit to stay in the Netherlands for longer periods. However, the process is fairly straightforward, and the approval time is reasonable.

When it comes to prices, you'll find that Amsterdam is considerably cheaper than London across all categories. You’ll pay less for rent, groceries, dining out and more.

Amsterdam is one of Europe’s top destinations, both for tourists and expats. Its amazing food, architecture, and high living standards make it a desirable new home for many. Our guide is a helpful starting point, but make sure to check for any updates to the information provided here.

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Sources used:

1. IND - residence permits
2. NetherlandsWorldwide - applying for a long-stay visa
3. IND - Highly Skilled Migrant
4. Skyscanner - cheapest month to fly to Amsterdam
5. Skyscanner - London-Amsterdam flights in January 2025
6. Expatica - retiring in the Netherlands
7. Gov.uk - State Pension if you retire abroad
8. Statista - Amsterdam population
9. The Guardian - British expats in Amsterdam
10. Numbeo - cost of living in London compared to Amsterdam
11. Lawyers Netherlands - buying property in the Netherlands
12. Expatica - healthcare in the Netherlands
13. Zorgwijzer - expat health insurance
14. ABN AMRO - opening a bank account
15. Barclays - living outside the UK
16. I Amsterdam - finding a job

Sources last checked on date: 14-Nov-2024