Skip to main content
MumExpat

Settling in

Settling in Amsterdam

Settling in Amsterdam is simple on paper, thanks to the EU: no visa, no residence permit. It all comes down to the order of the steps: municipal registration and the BSN, health insurance, the huisarts, then housing, the hardest part to find. Here is what we would have liked to know before arriving, checked against official sources.

Verified on 31 October 2026

Arrival and first steps

Good news: as French citizens, you need neither a visa nor a residence permit to live in the Netherlands. The real first step is registering with the municipality, which gives you a BSN, the key to everything else.

Good to know

  • French citizens enter and work in the Netherlands with a valid ID card or passport, on the same terms as Dutch nationals; since 2014 they no longer have to register with the immigration service (IND). Source
  • A partner and children under 21 follow the working parent. A family member who is not an EU citizen, however, falls under the general rules and must apply for a permit with the IND. Source
  • If you stay more than four months, registering in your municipality's population register (BRP) is compulsory. In Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Diemen or Haarlem, the IN Amsterdam desk handles it and issues your BSN. Source
  • The BSN is essential to get paid, open a bank account and take out compulsory health insurance: book the municipality appointment early, as long as your address allows registration. Source
  • Registering with the French consular register is free, optional but strongly recommended, valid 5 years and done online on service-public.fr with French ID, proof of residence in the Netherlands and a recent photo. Source
  • Week 1, in order: municipality appointment for the BSN, bank account, basic health insurance for the whole family, registration with a huisarts near home, then DigiD, the digital ID that unlocks online public services. Source

Addresses

  • Consulat général de France à Amsterdam

    Consulate

    De Boelelaan 7, 1083 HJ Amsterdam (Zuidas)

    By appointment Monday to Friday; France Consulaire answers paperwork questions on +31 20 249 91 64. Separate postal address: Postbus 20018, 1000 HA Amsterdam.

    Website Source

Go further

Housing: neighbourhoods and renting

French-speaking families cluster in the south of the city, between the International French School in Oud-Zuid and the École française in De Pijp, and some head to Amstelveen for a house. The market is very tight: prepare your file before you search.

Good to know

  • French speakers mostly live in the centre, Oud-Zuid (Museumplein, Beethovenstraat), De Pijp and Rivierenbuurt, but also in West and around Rembrandtpark; some families choose Amstelveen for its houses. Source
  • Amsterdam's market is one of the most expensive in the country, with high demand and little supply: call the agency within hours of a listing going live on Funda or Pararius. Source
  • For leases signed since 1 July 2023, the deposit is capped at two months' basic rent, the contract must be in writing and, if the landlord uses an agency, the landlord pays the agency fees. Source
  • Since 1 July 2024, new residential leases are in principle open-ended; temporary contracts remain possible only for certain groups, such as students. Source
  • The consulate warns against misleading or fraudulent listings: never pay before viewing and signing, and check that the address allows municipal registration. Source
  • If you doubt a rent or service charges, the Huurcommissie (rent tribunal) can rule for a modest fee, and the !Woon association advises Amsterdam tenants. Source

Addresses

  • Oud-Zuid (Museumkwartier)

    Neighbourhood

    The museum and Vondelpark district, close to the International French School: elegant, green and among the most expensive.

    Source

  • Beethovenstraat et Beatrixpark

    Neighbourhood

    Southern Oud-Zuid, more residential, close to Zuidas and the consulate, with an active French-speaking welcome network.

    Source

  • De Pijp

    Neighbourhood

    Lively around the Albert Cuyp market, it is home to the École française d'Amsterdam (nursery and primary).

    Source

  • Rivierenbuurt

    Neighbourhood

    Just south of De Pijp, quieter, with roomier flats and the Amstel close by.

    Source

  • Centrum et Jordaan

    Neighbourhood

    The historic canal heart: utterly charming, but small homes and steep stairs, impractical with a pram.

    Source

  • West et Rembrandtpark

    Neighbourhood

    More affordable and family-friendly, around large parks, a few minutes' bike ride from Oud-Zuid.

    Source

  • Amstelveen

    Neighbourhood

    Neighbouring town to the south, chosen for houses with gardens and international schools; tram 25 links it to the centre.

    Source

Go further

Phone and insurance

Your French plan is enough for the first weeks, a local plan will follow the bank account and BSN. On insurance, only basic health cover is compulsory for the whole family.

Good to know

  • Thanks to EU roaming rules, your French mobile plan works in the Netherlands at French prices while you settle in; it is not meant for permanent use. Source
  • For a local plan, KPN, Vodafone and Odido are the three main operators; a contract usually requires a Dutch account and BSN, a prepaid SIM does not.
  • Only basic health insurance is compulsory for the whole family, within four months of arrival; children under 18 are covered with no premium. Source
  • Liability insurance (aansprakelijkheidsverzekering) is not compulsory but widespread and cheap, useful with children and a bike; third-party insurance is compulsory if you own a car. Source

Banking and money

In the Netherlands, everything is paid by debit card and, online, with iDEAL: a Dutch account quickly becomes essential. Your French account, in euros, tides you over until you get your BSN.

Good to know

  • To open an account you need ID, proof of address (the lease is enough) and your BSN. ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank and online banks such as bunq open accounts online or in branch. Source
  • In shops, more than eight payments in ten are made by card, almost always contactless or by phone; cash is declining but still accepted in most shops. Many supermarkets, however, refuse credit cards: have a debit card. Source
  • Online, people pay with iDEAL from their banking app. Since early 2026, iDEAL has been gradually becoming Wero, the European solution, under the "iDEAL | Wero" logo; the switch is due to be completed by the end of 2027 and nothing changes for customers, who still pay through their bank. Source
  • Between individuals, Tikkie is used for everything: paying back a birthday party, splitting an outing, collecting shares for a gift, with a simple link sent on WhatsApp. Source
  • A euro transfer between France and the Netherlands costs the same as a domestic one, and since October 2025 euro-area banks must offer instant transfers at no higher price than a standard one. Source
  • Keep your French account, useful for taxes, insurance and holidays back home, but tell your bank you are moving to the Netherlands: some adapt or close non-residents' accounts. If a bank refuses to open one, French citizens living abroad can apply for the right to an account through the Banque de France. Source

Addresses

Go further

Setting up your home

Amsterdam has its IKEA in Zuidoost, next to Villa Arena, the large shopping centre devoted to the home. The rest is found at the local supermarket, ordered online for delivery or hunted down on Marktplaats.

Addresses

  • IKEA Amsterdam

    Furniture and home

    Hullenbergweg 2, 1101 BL Amsterdam Zuidoost

    The city's IKEA store, in the Zuidoost district.

    Website Source

  • Villa Arena

    Shopping mall

    De Entree 1, 1101 BH Amsterdam

    The largest covered home shopping centre in the Netherlands: furniture, kitchens, bedding.

    Website Source

  • Albert Heijn

    Supermarket

    The country's largest supermarket chain, stores in every neighbourhood and delivery.

    Website Source

  • Jumbo

    Supermarket

    Large Dutch supermarket chain, with online ordering.

    Website Source

  • Lidl

    Supermarket

    Discount supermarkets across the city.

    Website Source

  • Picnic

    Supermarket

    Online supermarket, home delivery ordered from the app.

    Website Source

  • Stadshart Amstelveen

    Shopping mall

    Amstelveen

    Large shopping centre south of Amsterdam.

    Website Source

  • Gelderlandplein

    Shopping mall

    Van Leijenberghlaan 43, 1082 GM Amsterdam

    Covered shopping centre in Buitenveldert, in the south of the city.

    Website Source

  • Coolblue

    Appliances

    Appliances and electronics online, delivery and installation.

    Website Source

  • MediaMarkt

    Appliances

    Appliances and electronics, stores and website.

    Website Source

  • Marktplaats

    Second-hand

    The main Dutch classifieds site: cargo bikes, furniture, pushchairs.

    Website Source

Getting around with children

In Amsterdam the bike is king, from the cargo bike for little ones to a first bike in primary school. GVB trams, metro and ferries fill in, and children travel free or nearly so.

Good to know

  • Children up to and including 3 years old always travel free on public transport, without checking in. Source
  • Children aged 4 to 11 registered in Amsterdam travel free in their city; elsewhere, 4 to 11 year-olds get 34% off bus, tram and metro with a personal OV-chipkaart or via OVpay. Source
  • By train, the free Kids Vrij pass lets under-12s travel free with a paying passenger aged 12 or over; otherwise, the NS Railrunner ticket costs a few euros for the day. Source
  • Adults simply tap in with a contactless bank card (OVpay) on tram, metro and train; the 9292 app plans journeys across the country. Source
  • Your French licence remains valid for 10 or 15 years from its issue date; if it expires during your stay, you exchange it for a Dutch licence at the municipality, in about two weeks. Source
  • A car is rarely useful in town: paid parking almost everywhere and resident permits with waiting lists in the centre. Many families do without and rent one for weekends. Source

Go further

Admin, taxes and the consulate

The BSN and DigiD open almost every door of the highly digital Dutch administration. The consulate remains your French town hall.

Good to know

  • The BSN (burgerservicenummer) is both your tax number and your social security number: every family member, children included, gets one at municipal registration. Source
  • DigiD, the state's digital ID, is requested once you have your BSN; it is used for taxes, benefits, healthcare and the municipality. Source
  • Taxes in a nutshell: withholding on salary, annual return with the Belastingdienst. Some employees recruited abroad benefit from the '30% ruling', reduced to 27% from 1 January 2027. Source
  • Child benefit (kinderbijslag) is paid by the SVB for every child under 18, and childcare benefit (kinderopvangtoeslag) can significantly reduce nursery costs. Source
  • The consulate issues passports and ID cards, records births and marriages that took place in the Netherlands, manages the electoral roll and helps in serious difficulty. Source
  • However, the French state does not cover your hospital, medical or medical repatriation costs abroad: hence the importance of good insurance. Source

Go further

Budget: what changes compared with France

Housing and childcare push the bill up, healthcare means a monthly premium per adult, but Dutch school is free and the bike replaces the car.

Good to know

  • Housing is the biggest line: Amsterdam rents are among the highest in the Netherlands, well above a large French city outside Paris. Source
  • Healthcare means a monthly premium per adult and an annual deductible of 385 euros in 2026, but huisarts visits are exempt and children pay neither premium nor deductible. Source
  • Daycare (kinderdagverblijf) costs much more than in France before benefits; childcare benefit, calculated on income, refunds part of it. Source
  • Dutch state school is free from age 4; the accredited French school charges fees, see our School fees page. Source
  • Transport is comparable to France, or cheaper for a family: free for little ones, bikes for everyone. Source
  • Groceries and restaurants are comparable to Paris; French products (cheese, wine) are easy to find but cost a little more.

Go further

A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Amsterdam will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Consulat général de France à Amsterdam
  2. 2 S'installer aux Pays-Bas (consulat)
  3. 3 IN Amsterdam, services aux nouveaux arrivants
  4. 4 Gouvernement néerlandais, guide du locataire
  5. 5 9292, enfants dans les transports publics
  6. 6 SKGZ, assurance santé pour les nouveaux arrivants
  7. 7 Amsterdam Accueil, guide du nouvel arrivant
  8. 8 iDEAL, le passage à Wero

Get updates to the Amsterdam guide

Verified addresses, official sources, school-year dates: we write when the Amsterdam guide changes, never more than once a week.

Other sections of the Amsterdam guide

Report a change

A place has closed, a number has changed, something is no longer right? Please tell us: we check and fix the Amsterdam guide.

What is going on?