In this guide
Amstelveen is a municipality directly south of Amsterdam. On 1 January 2026 it had 95,841 residents, of whom about 24% held a non-Dutch nationality, spread over 146 nationalities (Gemeente Amstelveen). It is its own municipality with its own council and registration process, not part of Amsterdam. Below: who lives there, the school options, and the practical steps after arrival.
Amstelveen at a Glance
- Population: 95,841 on 1 January 2026 (Gemeente Amstelveen, Eerste bevolkingscijfers 2026)
- International population: 146 nationalities, about 24% of residents with a non-Dutch nationality. The largest groups are Indian (3,636) and Japanese (1,856), followed by Turkish (1,264) and Chinese (1,217) (same source).
- Neighbourhoods: the municipality has 14 wijken. Keizer Karelpark has the most residents, followed by Waardhuizen–Middenhoven and Elsrijk. Uilenstede–Kronenburg has the lowest average age, because of the large student campus there (same source).
- Average age: 41.3 years in 2026, lower than the national average (same source).
How many people live in Amstelveen? 95,841 on 1 January 2026. According to the municipality, the population stayed almost stable compared with the year before, partly because few new homes were completed and the number of residents of Indian origin fell. The municipality expects growth to pick up as several large new-build projects are completed.
Is Amstelveen part of Amsterdam? No. Amstelveen is its own municipality with its own council, services and registration process, even though it sits directly against the Amsterdam border.
Cost of Living and Housing
Rents differ widely by home, size and landlord, so use current listings on platforms such as Pararius and Funda rather than a generic average. For rent levels that are regulated by law, the 2026 mid-rent segment covers homes with 144 to 186 points, up to a rent of €1,228.07 a month, and the social rent limit is €932.93 a month (Volkshuisvesting Nederland).
Use the Housing Budget Checker to see what your budget covers before you start looking, and the Cost of Living Calculator for a full monthly breakdown. If you are weighing social housing, read social housing in the Netherlands for expats.
Working in Amstelveen and Commuting
Check a journey planner for the current public transport routes and journey times between your address and your workplace.
For salary benchmarking use the Salary Checker. Use the 30% Ruling Calculator to see how much tax you could save. If you have a foreign degree, check recognition requirements with the Diploma Evaluator. See the Working in the Netherlands guide for broader context on employment rights, contracts, and tax.
Getting Registered
Registration is handled by Gemeente Amstelveen. If you arrive from abroad to live in the Netherlands for longer than 4 months, you must register within 5 days of arriving, and you do this at the municipality where you live (Rijksoverheid). In Amstelveen you complete an online form and make an appointment at the Raadhuis (Laan Nieuwer-Amstel 1, 1182 JR Amstelveen), which you must do within 5 days of arrival. You attend in person with all household members (Gemeente Amstelveen).
Documents the municipality lists include a valid passport or identity card, proof of housing (a rental contract, property deed or written permission from the main resident), and, where relevant, birth, marriage or divorce certificates. Non-European nationals also need proof that a residence application has been submitted to the IND. After you book, you receive an email confirming the documents you need to bring.
Not sure which visa you need? Use the Visa Checker to find out. Use the BSN Planner to prepare your documentation before your appointment, and read the BSN registration guide. Planning your integration path? Use the Inburgering Route Planner to see your requirements.
Healthcare and Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory in the Netherlands, and you have 4 months from the start of your obligation to take out a basic policy (Rijksoverheid). The mandatory deductible (eigen risico) for 2026 is €385 (Rijksoverheid). Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard → Use the Health Insurance Wizard to compare plans and check what supplementary cover makes sense for your situation. Compare Dutch and international expat insurance options with the Insurance Comparison.
See the Health Insurance guide for a full explanation of how the Dutch insurance system works.
Getting Started in Amstelveen
Moving to Amstelveen requires a few first steps. Here are the most important ones:
Arrange payment details — A Dutch bank account is convenient for local payments. Wise offers EUR account details held with Wise Europe SA in Belgium (Wise). Open a Wise account → Use the Bank Account Comparison to find the right Dutch bank for your situation.
Get health insurance — Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering) is mandatory. Compare Dutch health insurance options with our Health Insurance Wizard →
Consider expat insurance — If you are still settling in or working remotely, SafetyWing offers Nomad Insurance, with prices shown on its site. Get SafetyWing coverage →
Plan your budget — Use our free cost of living calculator and housing budget checker to see what you can afford in Amstelveen.
Schools and Families
International School of Amsterdam (ISA) — ISA is at Sportlaan 45, 1185 TB Amstelveen. It is an independent, not-for-profit school that teaches the International Baccalaureate from nursery to Grade 12, with more than 1,000 students from more than 60 nationalities. The general tuition fee for school year 2026-2027 ranges from €22,815 to €32,755 depending on the grade level, and ISA publishes a schedule of fees with the full breakdown (ISA).
For other international and Dutch-medium options, check each school’s own admissions page for places, fees and language of instruction.
Settling In: The First Month
- Confirm your housing and landlord’s permission for municipality registration
- Book registration at Gemeente Amstelveen within 5 days of arrival
- Open a bank account
- Arrange health insurance (you have 4 months)
- Register with a GP
- Apply for DigiD after you have your BSN
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Amstelveen?
Amstelveen had 95,841 residents on 1 January 2026 (Gemeente Amstelveen, Eerste bevolkingscijfers 2026). The population was almost unchanged compared with the year before.
Is Amstelveen part of Amsterdam?
No. Amstelveen is a separate municipality with its own council, its own registration process (Gemeente Amstelveen, not Gemeente Amsterdam), and its own local services. It borders Amsterdam directly, but you register and pay municipal taxes in the municipality where you live.
How international is Amstelveen?
On 1 January 2026 residents of Amstelveen had 146 different nationalities, and about 24% of residents had a non-Dutch nationality. Indian nationals formed the largest group (3,636), followed by Japanese (1,856), Turkish (1,264) and Chinese (1,217) nationals (Gemeente Amstelveen, Eerste bevolkingscijfers 2026).
Is Amstelveen a good place for expats to live?
That depends on what you need. Amstelveen is a municipality of about 96,000 people next to Amsterdam, with a large international community and an international school (ISA). Check commute, school places and the housing market against your own situation before you decide.