cost of living in the NETHERLANDS | housing, food, transport & more

How expensive is the Netherlands? This video covers apartments and student housing, groceries, restaurants and take out, transport (trains, bikes and buses), health insurance and many more things.
NLtimes says that the Netherlands is one of the most expensive countries in the EU, so that s something. I generally covered the average cost of living in the Netherlands, as mentioned in the video the bigger the city the bigger the prices, the cost of living can also depend on your needs and wants. Also sadly the prices are getting more expensive so in a couple of years this all might change.
Also for housing I mostly covered the topic about rent since I have some experience with it but I know buying an apartment and or a house is pricey and can be really difficult.
If you would like to support & donate my silly little videos: ko-fi.com/helloerika
00:00 introduction
00:20 housing
02:23 groceries
03:07 restaurants & take away
03:54 coffee
04:21 bikes
05:45 transportation
06:04 ov chipkaart
06:34 trains
07:13 bus, tram & metro
07:53 car
08:08 health insurance
08:57 shopping
09:35 thrift shopping
here is some more info about the Dutch healthcare system:
www.iamexpat.nl/expat-info/al...
applying for the healthcare allowance:
www.government.nl/topics/heal...
housing websites:
kamernet.nl/
www.funda.nl/
www.jaap.nl/
www.pararius.com/english
www.huislijn.nl/
www.roomspot.nl/
better option is look on facebook groups "apartments (insert city name here)"
cost of stuff in the Nehterlands:
www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living...
Feel free to share your outlooks and comparisons to where your from in the comments 🤗
instagram: @helloerikapeanut
Buy me a Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/helloerika
I hopes you enjoyed the video & thank you for watching!

[@robertvaneersel3741]

Tipping is 100% your own choice. Service charge is always included.

[@blueperson77]

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭NIV‬ ROMANS 10:9-11 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame” Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:10‬ ‭ God wants us to believe in His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who died for our sins :D When we truly believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, who died for our sins so we could have eternal life with God, we are saved from the eternal fire and have eternal life in Christ Jesus!! 💖 May God bless you all! 😊💞🕊

[@prpeptv8463]

I thought it was weird of her to say 10-15% that you need to tip, my uncle has a restaurant and the waiters and cooks get paid about the same as you. Tips is a real extra.

[@Pranjal12960]

Service charge is also an option, you can opt out if you feel food was not worth it, or no service was involved.

[@jobra7624]

Does that service charge go to the waiter or the business?

[@RubenBolink]

@@jobra7624 The waiter and chefs, dishwashers etc, not the owner, but they already get a decent wage, its a real extra, the dutch normally don't tip unless its awesome or they just tell them to keep the change when paid with cash, when paid with card there is usually no tip, and thats ok.

[@iadoreapplehead]

As a Dutch person, I know literally nobody who tips. Waiters get a decent wage so there's no need to tip at all. At most what we do is round up the bill if we loved the food and service, and it's up to you if you're gonna do: €27,30 = €28 or €27,30 = €30. But I usually don't tip, I only do this if I pay by cash (which happens almost never since I pay basically everything by card).

[@Jearn0]

I neither know noone who tips a waiter, except for when its christmas!

[@lmusima3275]

The waiters there were so nice 👍 As a British traveller I enjoyed going to cafes

[@euanscotland]

Maybe you are just tight... I always tip. (FOR GOOD SERVICE )

[@ilusions4]

thanks for this comment. This and the health insurance (I'm Canadian and enjoy not worrying about it) were scaring me a bit.

[@strife2746]

You don't tip because you're a cheapskate.

[@owenschwartz]

I found this fascinating as someone who is very interested in the cost of living in European cities verses American ones. Thank you for another great video and keep up the amazon production quality!

[@rickymortero3023]

Who are u bro

[@Nunyabizn3ss]

It took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out that you mean "amazing production quality".

[@slarouche]

I've been living in the Netherlands for about 8 years (I'm Canadian), and this overview is surprisingly on point! Also good tips for tourists (for the OV cart for example). Bravo! Be aware that as I post this, energy costs are going through the roof. But the housing market started to chill a bit. Also, it's been mentioned below, but tipping is really up to you, no one will be offended about your tipping habits, just happy if you do.

[@slarouche]

Oh, another thing that surprises a lot of visitors, many big grocery chains (like Albert Heijn) don't accept credit cards, it's either cash or debit.

[@slarouche]

Oh, and I want Pizza socks now...

[@evanswonderland2955]

how did you move? did u find a job first before moving? i want to go

[@slarouche]

@@evanswonderland2955 Yes, I did find a job before getting over here but I am in a very specific job market. I am not coming from the EU so that was important and I would suggest the same to anyone coming outside the EU market or apply for a temporary visa.

[@pradyumnac]

@@slarouche Albert Hein also does not accept my visa/mastercard debit cards, which is annoying

[@ericdraven7857]

I miss the Netherlands (Holland). We lived there in the early ‘90s when the US Air Force had a base there. It was called Soesterberg. We lived in Hoevelaken before moving on base and we moved back to the US in ‘94 when it closed. I was happy to see a lot of people to ride bikes for transportation. I would love to go back. I think my only complaint is the weather. It was always cold. I love the heat. 120 degrees in the Middle East never bothered me.

[@dutch-prepper6587]

Netherlands in 1990's was a different country from nowadays. Usages of bikes has seen a strong increase. Funny enough, weather has changed too. Over last 5 years, 4 years had periods of draught and heatwaves. Go here in June - August and you are likely to have many days without any rain and temperatures above 54 till 72 Fahrenheit. I'd love your report on Netherlands nowadays if you decide to revisit.

[@sannynjoo9776]

Soesterberg with the Apollo neighborhood? When I was a teenager drove to Soesterberg on my moped (snorfiets) with friends on occasion to hang around there and at around the base (coming from Utrecht) seeing the tanks doing their trainings in the sand and specially when there was a kermis (fair). Nowadays I often pass by Soesterberg when commuting to work in Amersfoort and when there are traffic jams on the highway, I take the innerroads, either by car or on my motor (with good weather). Not much has changed (I think) there. The residential area is still there but different people of course.

[@ZeFerociousGerman]

If you ever have the chance to visit again, do so. The airbase has been turned into a museum (Nationaal militair museum), its really nice. The whole base (depending on the season because of the wildlife) is accessible and you can walk where ever you want, even the tarmac. Like Dutchprepper said, the Netherlands is warm during summer, so the temperature shouldn't be a problem. Also, did you know that the Mc Donalds in Soesterberg was the first with a drive thru in the Netherlands because of Airbase Soesterberg?

[@mcj2219]

​@@dutch-prepper6587 Don't forget the MASSIVE increase of foreigners and the rise of globalism after 00

[@eduardoalvara2]

Thank You! This is really helpful, the editing and your narration adds a really nice touch to the video!

[@RelaxingVibes63]

Thank you for this video! Very informative and fun to watch at the same time! Have a great time it the NL!

[@lafortuna272]

This is the content I’ve been looking for! Thanks a lot , subscribed!

[@yaroslavboretsky3146]

very comprehensive! Just arrived in Enschede couple of days ago and been surprised to find a youtube guide like this haha! Thank you!

[@marybarbara7366]

Investment is so good?

[@bhattkaushal9457]

You covered all that every new person needed . But my question is how do I apply for the jobs in NL . Is there any employer in your mind who can sponsoring me or giving me work permit .

[@B.A.Tudorache]

Amazing job with this video !! it's 10000% accurate and up to date on everything regarding living in NL. Great job once more!

[@ThirstyTunaTaco]

I just discovered this channel.. First i thought Erika was a Dutch girl.. Your accent is kinda Dutch. ( i hope i don't offend you) I like this girl.. She is informative with a sense of dry ( as we call it here) humor. And the way she makes videos is admirable.. She puts a lot of time and effort in it. AND She loves pindakaas.. I subscribed.

[@veranebrezhneva1360]

Thank you, girl! That was really interesting and informative ❤️ wish you success with your channel!

[@akacerian]

This is spot on! I wish I could have found something like this when I moved to the Netherlands, this is a really great summary!

[@Mayankgupta0809]

Your prices are surprisingly on-point, I was expecting an overestimation :P

[@alexsteven.m6414]

After a nightmarish 2022, shell-shocked investors have losses to recoup and plenty to ponder, as an inflation report and a raft of other data did little to change expectations that the Federal Reserve would likely continue hiking intrest rates even if the economy slows down, Which means more red ink for portfolios for the first quarter of year 2023. How can I profit from the current volatile market, I'm still at a crossroads deciding if to liquidate my $250k bond/stocck portfolio

[@yolanderiche7476]

Nobody knows anything; You need to create your own process, manage risk, and stick to the plan, through thick or thin, While also continuously learning from mistakes and improving.

[@lolitashaniel2342]

@@yolanderiche7476 Uncertainty... it took me 5 years to stop trying to predict what bout to happen in market based on charts studying, cause you never know. not having a mentor cost me 5 years of pain I learn to go we’re the market is wanting to go and keep it simple with discipline.

[@halselong4517]

@@lolitashaniel2342 The one effective technique I'm confident nobody admits to using, is staying in touch with an Investment-Adviser. Based on firsthand encounter, I can say for certain their skillsets are topnotch, I've raised over $700k since 2017. Just bought my 3rd property for rental. Credit to STACEY LEE DECKER ....my Investment-Adviser.

[@edelineguillet2121]

@@halselong4517 Thank you for this Pointer. It was easy to find her handler, She seems very proficient and flexible. I booked a call session with her.

[@elmagnifico1]

What the fuck does that have to do with the video

[@MexicanCa]

Love your editing and my first video. Definitly subscribing. I was once in Amsterdam and looove the city. Merci

[@TheYarro]

Thank you for such a thorough video on what it costs to live in the Netherlands. ✌️🙌❤️

[@tolennon]

perfect video erika. It covers a lot of things and have a very nice editing. thanks a lot!

[@trishanamungal8566]

Love your straight to the point videos! 🌸

[@codyrojas7260]

Finally! a good video on this subject. Thank you

[@florencelina9303]

Congratulations to over 500 subs, you really deserve it!! ♥️♥️♥️

[@marybarbara7366]

Investment is so good?

[@marvk.5184]

I am now staying for one year in the netherlands for my studies, and your video summs it up really good. My biggest tips are to get at least the NS Dal Vordeel (costs around 5€ and saves you 40% of your train travels of peak). And when you have the room to store some food check out butlon. They often have ridicolous Discounts up to 90% for food items, but you have to spend a minimum of 50€ to qualify for delivery. Last but not least check if you can apply for huurtoslag and the mentioned health care allowance. It can safe a lot of money. (Apply for your BSN as early as possible)

[@RootcityMusic]

Just want to add: Also look in to 'energie toeslag' for the rising energy prices

[@semilama]

i was wondering what's the best sim card company + wifi ?

[@marvk.5184]

@@semilama I can not answer that, I just continue to use my german sim card as there are not much differences as long I stay in europe. My girlfriend got an e-sim because she calls a lot inside the netherlands, but did not want to give up her german sim. For wifi I had no choice in my area and had to get "Ziggo" however I never had any complaints with them and their prices are not bad, so I can recommend them.

[@kitersrefuge7353]

Extremely informative and delivered with zest by a Dutch beauty. Thank you!

[@candeelkubrawi6880]

7:11 OUCH. jus kiddin xd. Really liked how you presented your video. I mean I don't comment much but I was tempted by the video, how it was presented and the presenter as well.

[@anik5034]

Your presentation is very unique and I love it so much. Keep going😍

[@agapheputrasusilo741]

thanks for sharing Erika. You sounds likeable person, the backsong makes the video better too. When i was in university, i was looking postgraduate scholarship there. But when covid came, i cancelled my plan. Now i am working and hopefully able to continue career or studying in Netherland. Greetings from Indonesia.

[@ammaraltahimer5503]

Nice trip and content. keep it that way💚💚

[@rontsang4308]

Nicely explained, thank you.

[@y.m.2504]

awesome video, thank you so much! i'm moving to utrecht this fall so this is very helpful :)

[@angiegia455]

Let me know when you get there please, i am planning too and i would need some informations ! Thank you in advance😇

[@romigoletto]

Amazing and dinamic video! Thanks for all the info

[@shanatries9890]

Working in global mobility within the Dutch team I can second the high rental prices, especially within the liberalised market. Anything before 1,650 for a 1 bed is considered a low budget within AMS. I did however manage to get a viewing booked for a 1,300 euro studio today and was super super excited, so fingers crossed that they liked it! :)

[@shanatries9890]

Not that anyone will likely be invested, but we submitted an offer on the property for 1,400 and it got rejected for another offer. It had only been on the market for 48 hours, and we submitted the offer within 2 hours of the viewing. Long story short, if you are looking at properties in the price range you really have to jump when you are interested.

[@shanatries9890]

We will find another property (contacts, experience, perseverence etc.) but anybody who is watching this and considering to move to the Netherlands, I really would recommend using a broker. They are invaluable, and whilst they do cost a months rent + VAT they do add a layer of protection especially for low budgets.

[@johngatev6958]

Went on summer break to my home country and you just reminded me what living will cost again 🫠

[@felipecanfield8665]

I just loved your video, thank you for this huuuuge content

[@creativeleodaily]

Btw you're channel is so underrated 😳

[@MatthewsLife]

Hello from Whitby Ontario Canada ❤ I come from a Dutch family from Amsterdam on one side and Friesland on the other this is so informative ❤❤❤❤

[@JesusOrtiz-cr9rz]

im not planning on moving to the NL, im not even planning on moving at all but i just stopped by this video and when i noticed the amount of subs you have i said no no no, unacceptable (is that right?). So here im helping the algorythm. Amazing video, i loved it. new sub fs :)

[@ebuwaericaogbebor2736]

Thanks for the informative video, Erika. You just gained a new subscriber, meeeeeeeee 😁

[@mohamedaityoussef9965]

Super straight to the point love it want to move to the netherlands even more now

[@camillemakurin6801]

Love the video!😍❤

[@hamzaleu]

Thanks For the Infos I’m moving to Overijssel Next month and let’s see how it’s Gonna be 🙌🏼

[@Rantofthings.]

You did such a great job.

[@bedheadacademic]

awesome video. thanks for sharing. Your channel is inspiring me on my KZbin journey

[@Ms.Elizabeth]

Great video! ❤️

[@airingme6872]

This video is awesome! thanks so much :)

[@variantdot]

this video was helpful and well produced, thank you for the content :D

[@fatubalde8692]

Thank you for the video 📹 very interesting. Keep it up.

[@metihoseini906]

Well, you totally were on point and the video is concise and sweet. Hope you are fine(with whisper) these days

[@wajahut4960]

This was very helpful!

[@arshadNL]

Great content. Really helpful. Well explained.

[@ritikabhardwaj9330]

Really like your speaking style👍

[@florencelina9303]

As a german its really interesting to see how the prices differ :o Keep up the great work, i love your videos ♥️

[@blueperson77]

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭NIV‬ ROMANS 10:9-11 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame” Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:10‬ ‭ God wants us to believe in His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who died for our sins :D When we truly believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, who died for our sins so we could have eternal life with God, we are saved from the eternal fire and have eternal life in Christ Jesus!! 💖 May God bless you all!! 🤗❤️

[@marybarbara7366]

Investment is so good

[@luckysinghuk1822]

@@marybarbara7366 Visa

[@chideranwakaeze9568]

@@luckysinghuk1822 hi

[@luckysinghuk1822]

@@chideranwakaeze9568 hi

[@alskmrv]

Great video, thx.

[@JayeVoyaging]

This video is so cute. Thanks for sharing.

[@sk.1844]

wow, you did such a great job!

[@2secondwind]

Vry informative thank you.

[@mrbennett3791]

Great video 👍🏻👍🏻

[@andreibota2877]

Just what I needed to hear

[@abacaxiquee]

greaatttt video I forgot to take notes on the prices, guess I'll have to rewatch it 😅 it would be nice if there was a summary at the end

[@helloerika]

That's a fair point! But I remembered about it after I already published the video :D but i'll keep in mind for next time :))

[@felixperini]

so good! thank you very much

[@lollal4901]

As a UT student, I appreciate the University of Twente coverage in this vid 😤🤝

[@Alex-bf7mc]

Fantastic video!

[@kachkachhabiba3014]

Loove this video good job ❤️

[@issecret1]

Yeah, I'm definitely moving there as soon as I can

[@NoName-ct1gn]

Good guide !!

[@paulroque7820]

Very helpful thank you

[@WardBerben]

Very cool video! 1 big tip for you tho. buy 4 croissants at once at Jumbo or Albert Heijn (not sure for Lidl and aldi) use ur discount card and pay 1 euro per 4. Life saving advice here. 😉

[@johnmarkfuentes9024]

This video is very helpful

[@maxtassara5190]

I love your video aesthetic girll

[@sethhofmeijer4124]

Thank you Erika!

[@sanoske440]

Thank you for video nice information

[@alexo3975]

it's very helpful video. Good job 👍👍👍

[@mavitaskitchenandtravel]

hope you can provide links of the website for the important ones, like finding rental homes. thank you for this video!

[@pietrietveld1842]

good information for my philipines family thanks for sharing .

[@Alex-bf7mc]

If ur getting the train make sure u get the ticket before getting on. Even if the journey is short there’s no option to buy a ticket off the conductor onboard like in certain other countries 👍🏻

[@ethem8284]

this is very helpful

[@fiskurtjorn7530]

I never realized a train ticket was based on time. When I buy an "enkeltje" or "retourtje" Gouda - Groningen the ticket is valid when I take the trip in one go, or when I stop to shop for a few hours in let's say Amersfoort for a few hours.

[@co2Paco]

Informative and charming - what else could you ask for?

[@shahzadsyed8160]

My dear Erika thanks allot for your value vlog 👍💐

[@dillinsutherland2301]

Probably in the next 3 to 4 years it's going to more expensive but I am even more determined to get to the Netherlands Can't wait for it

[@Reallyshouldachanhed]

@@Waterdiver3900 That’s pretty much everywhere in the world at the moment, unfortunately. I’d rather have less money and better healthcare and less worried about getting slaughtered in the streets in the US.

[@cdana2809]

@@Reallyshouldachanhed You are right. I've been living in the US for 20 years, but is time for me to get out. My husband already left in the Netherlands just a few days ago, he has a job and a place to stay. I have to take care of a few things here and then i go there too. I cannot wait! You should move out of the States too, is not safe anymore and the Health Insurance is a piece of garbage. Good luck.

[@faaskee7071]

@@Waterdiver3900 Mark dosn't care about that, They'll be let in if they want to move to the Netherlands.

[@letheas6175]

@@Waterdiver3900 No it isn't that statement literally has only ever been said by NIMBY's or people who hate foreigners. Both groups absolutely cringe, and not representative of the dutch culture of tolerating and accepting others (first during the ''Moedernegotie'' then when the ''Hugenoten'' fled and came to the Netherlands, but actually, all throughout our history) I am pretty sure you've never been to Wageningen (or other prime examples of multiculturalist society), are not a real dutch person, and should be literally ashamed that you don't know our history.

[@pandemicofvaxxedholes]

LOL. Socialism is the for rich. You plebians get "free" stuff only because you are plebians.

[@arontravel1307]

Great content

[@ItsMe-mq2nm]

Your accent is good and I’m learning a lot from u .

[@tereSitafullvlogs]

Very well information 🙏 see you for more it your videos 👍❤️

[@alfonsoneuman8814]

Saludos Cordiales desde México, buen video

[@mojkeksdesign7112]

👍👍👍useful information,thanks...

[@ferleniz268]

Excellent video :D new follower :)

[@gulbanizabbasova5165]

Thanks a lot for such video. I wish to move and live in Netherlands.

[@gottuso]

Erika! tips in The NL! Tell me more! I wasn't aware our American penchant for tipping had leaked over the pond to the continent. Nice job, young lady. Keep it up.

[@doomie21]

Ik zou sowieso geen fooi geven. Prijzen zijn inclusief fooi.

[@duyphan8355]

thanks a lot for this useful video , could i have the link about renting houses for student in Amsterdam

[@michaelmeijerhof7663]

Hot tip for train travel: often you can find good deals for day travel cards online. Cheapest I found were 13.50 for unlimited traveling for one day

[@maciekratajczak6299]

hallo, where i can find this bargain :) ?

[@brushyourteeth69420]

By the way if youre a student you can get a free public transport card from the government either during the week (mo-fr) of during the weekends (fr-su)

[@MrBroom009]

Also for people who didn’t know If you have a personal ov chipkaart and you’d like to ride the ns train Make sure the saldo (the amount of money on the card) is above €20 cause if u don’t u won’t get in lol. (They made this rule so people who get lost can return to they’re destination without paying extra)

[@abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz3010]

i love your sense of humor lmao

[@machinismus]

Honestly, everything seems comparable or actually cheaper than where I live in the U.S. I am learning German and Dutch and would love to work and live in the Netherlands someday.

[@user-zc6ug3qh3z]

I think we earn less, live way smaller, pay way more taxes and gas is way more expensive. Probably something to take into account!

[@misa80209]

@@user-zc6ug3qh3z but your quality of life is way better. You don't spend all odf your time in your car driving in a highway

[@LimitedWard]

Same, I currently live in Los Angeles, and I'm salivating over the COL described in this video.

[@gustavthemagician]

@@misa80209 See you when you are robbed and beaten by a gang of moroccans. Or when you are told to wait ten years for housing while illegal invaders get housing within a year and free money. We also have the highest taxes in the world and no police-protection. Get your facts right before talking sh*te.

[@rosalie3086]

please do not move to the netherlands. We are at capacity. There's not enough space, and our stupid government keeps letting too many migrants in. It's ridiculous that domestic Dutch students can't find anywhere to live in their own damn country.

[@RequiosWoW]

would love to see these for Germany too :D

[@Blurb111]

Ik hou heel erg van Nederland, met de hoge kosten van levensonderhoud and alles, maar ik kon echt niet tegen dat vreselijke weer. Miss u, Holland 😢

[@drew_echo]

Looks like I've been missing out. In California, my expensive tiny apartment I shared with 2 other people was $2000/m per person. $800 a month would have been a steal.

[@pearlaton]

The rent is more or less the same with living in Madrid. I live 40 mins outside the centro and I pay more or less 380€ a month (water and electricity included - no gas since the heater and stove is electric).

[@amossutandi]

Tipping is not expected, but appreciated.

[@Zeverouis]

Bikes don't always have right of way and tipping isn't required (more of a good will gesture if the service and/or food was actually decent).

[@lanpexxx]

Thank you for this video! Can you please recommend websites and groups for rent searching?

[@helloerika]

Kamernet, paparious, fund and roomspot. They re all okay, some you need to pay a subscription :/ one of the best places is facebook groups. Just like "city name" and "wohnen" or "renting" something like that. Hope this helps

[@lanpexxx]

@@helloerika You are amazing thank you so much❤️