From the UK & Europe

London to Amsterdam: What Life and Business Really Cost

Updated: 18 August 2026 Holdwise editorial team London Amsterdam Costs

Life in Amsterdam costs less than in London, mainly for housing and schools. For the same money, you get twice the space in a home. Schools cost a third less. For healthcare, you pay a fixed premium each month. Business taxes have published, fixed rates. At Holdwise, we keep this answer up to date and change it when the rules change.

Housing: the biggest difference

In the best areas of Amsterdam, such as Zuid and the canal belt, a square metre costs clearly less than in prime London. For €2 million to €4 million, you buy a terraced house in Zone 2 in London. For the same money, you buy a canal house in Amsterdam or a villa in Wassenaar. See the buying guide. On a family home, you pay 2% transfer tax. Rents in the free sector are high.

Schools and healthcare: lower costs

International schools charge €15,000 to €30,000 per child, less than the well-known school fees in London. Dutch public schools rank among the best in the world, with zero tuition fees. See the shortlist. Healthcare costs roughly €150 per adult per month, and children are insured for free.

Salaries and business costs

Senior salaries in the Netherlands are lower than the pay packages in London banking. This affects you both as an employer and as an employee. Employer costs are 25% to 30% on top of gross pay. With the 30% ruling, a relocation to the Netherlands is more attractive for staff. See the employer view. Corporate tax is 19% up to €200,000, and the rates are published. For the services, you get a written proposal with every amount for your situation, before you decide. See the services overview.

Is your group setting up a Dutch entity? See setting up a Dutch subsidiary for what you need, how long it takes and what the parent company must sign.

Taxes compared

Headline income tax rates read similar. The real difference is the system around them: box 2 timing on dividends, the participation exemption, and the 30% ruling when you relocate. See the comparison. Most operating founders end up ahead on the total, before counting the EU market access that comes with the relocation. See that case.

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Part of Doing Business in the Netherlands, the complete 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

What gets more expensive in Amsterdam? +

Groceries and eating out cost about the same or a bit more. Cars are expensive because of high Dutch taxes, and in the city, people mostly use bicycles. Housing at short notice also costs more. For this reason, rent first and buy once you know the market well.

How do commutes and time budgets compare? +

The average professional in Amsterdam saves an hour a day. You cycle to work in about twenty minutes. In London, you often spend much longer in a crowded Tube. Schiphol airport is 15 minutes away, and the flight to London for a board meeting takes 45 minutes.

What does a like-for-like family budget look like? +

A London family with £250k gross income can typically live the same life in Amsterdam and still have money left over. Most of the savings come from schools and housing. In a personal tax planning review, you see exactly how much you save.

Sources Belastingdienst · KVK · wetten.overheid.nl Last updated: 18 August 2026