The Real Cost of a Month in Amsterdam: A Budget Breakdown

Monthly stays (mid-term rentals or corporate housing from 30 days to 6 months) are steadily rising in Amsterdam, driven by tourism restrictions and changing real estate laws. Instead of short-term weekend rentals, more expats and corporate travellers are shifting towards longer monthly commitments, often with serviced apartments in Amsterdam. A lot of it has to do with the Municipality of Amsterdam having restricted short-term holiday rentals to a maximum of 30 nights per year for entire homes. 

So, stays of 30 consecutive days or more are classified legally as mid-term rentals or corporate housing, while being exempt from the annual limit (do not need short-term tourist permits). On the other hand, the Dutch Government has hiked VAT on overnight accommodation to 21% from 9%, which makes hotel stays costlier. Digital nomads, families and business travellers now prefer monthly apartments which are more affordable than inflated hotel rates (due to VAT hikes and steep tourist taxes). But what does it cost to stay for a month in Amsterdam? Here is a budget breakdown that might help if you’re also planning a monthly stay in the near future. 

Estimated Budget for 1 Month in Amsterdam

Here is a budget estimate that you can consider while planning to stay for a month in Amsterdam. Let us look at the main overheads below: 

• Accommodation: 

This is the highest cost for any extended trip to Amsterdam. Here is a closer look at the anticipated monthly costs for three accommodation types (taking a one-bedroom or studio space into consideration). 

Type of Accommodation:- Unfurnished Rental 

Average Monthly Costs (EUR):- €1,500 – €2,600

Legal Terms & Inclusions:- 

• Does not include utilities and needs stringent income checks and registration. 
• Hard to get for stays less than 1 year
• Sizeable costs of renting/buying furniture, essentials and setting up utilities  

Type of Accommodation:- Long-Term Rental in Amsterdam (Serviced Apartment)

Average Monthly Costs (EUR):- €1,800 – €4,000

Legal Terms & Inclusions:- 

• Saves money since it includes all utilities, cleaning/housekeeping and Wi-Fi. 
• There are flexible mid-term lease lengths and extendable provisions . 
• Multi-bedroom layouts, self-catering with fully equipped kitchens, laundry and on-site hotel-style amenities

Type of Accommodation:- Hotels (3-4-star)

Average Monthly Costs (EUR):- €3,600-€9,600

Legal Terms & Inclusions:- 

• • May be the costliest options among the three.
  • Includes some amenities and cleaning.
  • Highly seasonal with rates going even higher at times .

• Subject to the compulsory 12.5% tourist tax and VAT hikes

• Utilities, Insurance and Connectivity: 

If you are renting serviced short stay apartments in Amsterdam, you will not have to pay anything separately for utilities and connectivity, since they are included in the monthly rate. However, a lightly furnished space or unfurnished rental will come with these costs: 

• Utilities (Electricity, gas, water, heating and garbage): €150 to €250 per month. 
• Home Internet & Mobile Connections: €46 per month for broadband (60+ Mbps) and €22 per month for e-SIM/prepaid mobile plan (10 GB+ data). 
• Health Insurance: If your stay needs official Dutch registration, then compulsory health insurance will cost about €100 to €160 per month. 

• Food and Groceries: 

One person can expect to spend approximately €350 to €550 per month on food, depending on the frequency of cooking (self-catering is available at serviced apartments). 

• Groceries: €250 to €400 per month. 
• Dining Out: €200 to €500 per month. This depends a lot on your lifestyle and preferences. 
• Eating in the centre is more expensive. 
• Takeaway coffees are about €4, while street food/casual lunches cost €8-€15. 
• Simple budget dinners at restaurants cost €15-€25, while regular sit-down meals in mid-tier eateries cost €25-€40 per head). 

• Public Transportation: 

Amsterdam is extremely cycling-friendly, which is the best way to get around comfortably and save money simultaneously. Here is a breakdown of approximate transit costs that you can expect for a month: 

• Bike Rental: Monthly subscriptions generally cost about €20 to €30 per month. 
• Public Transit (GVB): If you are depending on the trams, metro and buses, the monthly unlimited GVB network pass will cost approximately €100 to €135. If you are paying per-journey with a contactless card (OV-pay), expect €60 to €90 month for casual travelling. 

• Entertainment, Leisure and Recreation: 

It all depends on your individual needs and preferences during this time. Individual museum tickets may cost about €22 to €26 each, like the Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum. You may consider buying a Museumkaart (Museum Card) for about €75 that will give you unlimited entry to hundreds of Dutch museums for one year. 

A glass or wine or beer at local brown cafes will cost you €5 to €7. You should budget at least €150 to €300 per month to enjoy a decent social life, including occasional drinks, concerts, movies and sightseeing.  

Where to Stay in Amsterdam for a Month? 

Here are some of the top neighbourhood recommendations to book serviced apartments in Amsterdam for a monthly stay. 

• De Pijp: The neighbourhood has a multicultural and bohemian vibe, while it is also known for its iconic Albert Cuyp Market, global dining and charming bars. You can enjoy a more authentic neighbourhood stay here, while being only a short metro/tram ride away from the city centre and Zuidas business hub. 
• Jordaan: Picturesque and captivating, it is quieter in the evening and houses classic canal houses, brown cafes or traditional Dutch pubs, weekend markets at Noordermarkt and concealed courtyards or hofies. You get the picture-postcard experience in Amsterdam with a community vibe. However, rentals are more expensive in the area and are booked out swiftly. 
• Oud-West: Families love this trendy yet residential neighbourhood with its greenery and proximity to Vondelpark. There is also a well-known indoor food market at Foodhallen, along with local playgrounds and cafes. You can easily access central areas by bike, while enjoying the relaxed pace of life in the neighbourhood. 
• Amsterdam Oost/East: Youthful with a multicultural atmosphere, the neighbourhood offers access to the Frankendael Park, Oosterpark and several fabulous restaurants. It is slightly more affordable with more spacious housing choices than the central canal ring. 

Conclusion 

You should budget approximately €1,130 to €1,320 per month for your living expenditure, excluding your accommodation in Amsterdam. If you include housing into the calculation, a realistic monthly budget starts from €2,900 and goes up to €7,000, depending on the choice of accommodation. You can consider verified serviced apartments from TheSqua.re with flexible leases and competitive all-inclusive rates (covering utilities, Wi-Fi and housekeeping) to save more.