Amstelveen at a Glance
- Population: approximately 92,000
- Expat population: one of the highest concentrations in the Netherlands — significant Japanese, Korean, Indian, and broader international communities driven by corporate relocations
- Main languages spoken: Dutch, English (widely spoken in professional and business contexts); Japanese is notably common in certain neighbourhoods and shops
- Key industries: financial services, management consulting, corporate headquarters, Schiphol-related logistics and aviation
- Average commute: 20–30 minutes by metro or tram to central Amsterdam; 15–20 minutes by road to Schiphol Airport
Amstelveen sits directly south of Amsterdam, separated from the city by the Amsterdamse Bos — a large forested park — and bordered to the west by the Schiphol area. Administratively it is its own municipality, part of the Amstelland-Meerlanden region, though in practice it functions as a suburban extension of Amsterdam for most of the people who live there.
What makes Amstelveen unusual among Dutch towns of its size is how genuinely international it is. KPMG and ABN AMRO have significant operations here, and a cluster of multinational corporate headquarters has created sustained demand from internationally mobile professionals. The result is a town that has built infrastructure — international schools, international supermarkets, multilingual services — that you do not typically find in a municipality of 92,000 people.
The trade-off, which most long-term residents will mention, is character. Amstelveen is comfortable and well-organised, with good facilities and reasonable prices by Amsterdam standards. It is also unambiguously suburban. The Stadshart shopping centre in the centre is functional rather than charming. If you are expecting the atmosphere of a historic Dutch city, you will not find it here. What you will find is good transport links, excellent schools for families, a large expat peer group, and direct access to the Amsterdamse Bos on your doorstep.
Cost of Living
Amstelveen is meaningfully cheaper than Amsterdam for housing while still being expensive by Netherlands standards overall. The proximity to Schiphol and central Amsterdam means rental demand stays high.
| Item | Estimated monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (private rental) | €1,200–€1,550 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | €1,550–€2,000 |
| Monthly OV public transport pass | €98–€120 |
| Groceries (single person) | €280–€370 |
| Dinner out (mid-range, two people) | €55–€80 |
| Gym membership | €30–€50 |
The availability of Asian supermarkets (Japanese and Korean grocery stores are well-stocked in Amstelveen) is a practical factor many expats from those communities specifically mention. The international food ecosystem is genuinely good here, which affects the grocery cost calculation if you are cooking food that is harder to source elsewhere.
Use the Housing Budget Checker to see what your budget covers in Amstelveen before you start looking, and the Cost of Living Calculator for a full monthly breakdown.
Best Neighbourhoods for Expats
Centrum / Stadshart — The town centre, built around the Stadshart shopping mall and surrounding residential streets. Modern apartments, good access to the metro and tram, and within walking distance of most day-to-day amenities. 1-bedroom rents average €1,250–€1,550. This is the most practical base for people who work in Amsterdam and want short commute times. Not the most atmospheric neighbourhood, but efficient.
Westwijk — One of the larger residential districts in the west of Amstelveen, predominantly post-war housing with a mix of apartments and family homes. Popular with families due to school access and the amount of green space nearby. 1-bedroom average €1,100–€1,350. Quieter than the centre and well-suited to families who want a garden and space over urban convenience.
Groenelaan — A mid-town area that has historically attracted a significant portion of the Japanese expat community, partly due to proximity to schools and amenities that serve that community. More spacious layouts than the centre, with a slightly calmer residential feel. 1-bedroom average €1,200–€1,500.
Bankras-Kostverloren — In the south of Amstelveen, this neighbourhood has a notably suburban feel — detached and semi-detached houses, wide streets, good cycling paths. It attracts families from a range of nationalities who want more space. Rental stock skews toward larger properties; 2-bedroom homes tend to start around €1,700. Not ideal if you need frequent public transport, as the connections are less direct.
Nes aan de Amstel — A village on the eastern edge of the municipality, along the Amstel river. Genuinely picturesque by Amstelveen’s standards, with older buildings, water views, and a different feel from the rest of the town. Popular with people who want a quieter environment but can accept slightly longer commutes. Rental supply is limited, which keeps prices relatively high for the location.
Working in Amstelveen
The employment base in Amstelveen is dominated by financial services and corporate operations. KPMG’s Dutch headquarters is located here, which accounts for a significant portion of the professional expat intake — particularly consultants and finance professionals on international assignments. ABN AMRO has major back-office and operational functions in the municipality as well.
The Schiphol proximity matters. Companies with European logistics, aviation, and cargo operations frequently base their Dutch entities in the Schiphol-Amstelveen corridor because of the road and freight links. This creates demand for supply chain, operations, and logistics professionals that is not typical of most suburban Amsterdam locations.
Beyond those clusters, Amstelveen has a number of smaller international corporate offices and regional headquarters — the combination of lower commercial property costs than Amsterdam and ease of access to the airport is attractive to companies that do not specifically need an Amsterdam address.
For expats arriving on assignment with a large employer, the relocation process is often handled through the company’s HR function, and Amstelveen has agencies experienced in settling international staff. Independent job seekers will find that the main employers are in the centre of Amsterdam rather than Amstelveen itself — the metro link makes this workable, but you should factor in commute time.
For salary benchmarking use the Salary Checker. See the Working in the Netherlands guide for broader context on employment rights, contracts, and tax.
Getting Registered
Registration is handled by Gemeente Amstelveen. The municipality has reasonable experience dealing with international arrivals given the scale of corporate relocation activity here — the staff at the Publieksplein service desk are used to non-Dutch speakers.
Appointments must be booked in advance via the municipality website. Waiting times vary but are typically 1–3 weeks. If you are arriving through a corporate relocation, your employer’s relocation agency will usually handle the booking and may be able to assist with timing.
Standard documentation: valid passport, signed rental contract, and proof of employment or registration with the Chamber of Commerce if self-employed. Your BSN is issued at the desk on the day of registration.
Note that if you are using Amstelveen as your registered address while employed in Amsterdam, this is straightforward — you register where you live, not where you work.
Use the BSN Planner to prepare your documentation before your appointment.
Healthcare & Insurance
Amstelveen does not have its own large hospital. The main referral hospital for residents is OLVG or Amsterdam UMC in Amsterdam, both accessible within 20–30 minutes. For day-to-day care, there are GP practices and a number of healthcare clinics within the municipality.
English-speaking GPs are available, and the high expat population means several practices are specifically set up to serve international patients. Waiting lists for GP registration can run 2–6 weeks, so start this process as soon as you arrive — or ideally before.
For Japanese-speaking residents specifically, there are healthcare providers in the Amstelveen area with Japanese-language capability, which reflects how embedded that community is in the town.
Health insurance is mandatory from your first day as a Dutch resident. Premiums start around €130–€145 per month with a €385 annual deductible. If you arrive mid-year, you are still required to take out cover from day one of residence. Use the Health Insurance Wizard to compare plans and check what supplementary cover makes sense for your situation.
See the Health Insurance guide for a full explanation of how the Dutch insurance system works.
Transport
Amstelveen does not have a train station. This is the most common practical frustration expats mention when they first arrive, having assumed that any Dutch town of this size would be on the rail network.
The main connections are:
Metro line 51 — Runs from Amstelveen Centrum through to Amsterdam Centraal and Amsterdam Zuid. Journey time to Amsterdam Zuid is around 12 minutes; to Amsterdam Centraal around 25 minutes. Frequent service during the day.
Tram line 25 — Connects Amstelveen with the Amsterdam Zuid transport hub. Slower than the metro but useful for some residential areas.
Bus network — Several lines cover the residential neighbourhoods and connect to the metro and tram stops. Coverage is adequate for the centre and Westwijk; the outer residential areas are less well served.
Cycling — The Amstelveenseweg cycle route into Amsterdam is well-used and the infrastructure is good. Central Amsterdam is reachable by bike in around 30–40 minutes depending on your starting point. The Amsterdamse Bos itself is excellent cycling territory and connects the town to the Schiphol area by bike path.
Car — Amstelveen is well-connected by road. The A9 gives direct access to Schiphol in 10–15 minutes and connects to the broader motorway network. Parking is easier and cheaper than in Amsterdam, which is a practical advantage for people who need to drive for work.
For Schiphol specifically, it is one of the closest residential areas to the airport — a meaningful factor if you travel internationally for work on any regularity.
For a full guide to OV travel in the Netherlands, see the OV-chipkaart guide for expats.
