This page collects key data and figures about expat life in the Netherlands in 2026. Sources include CBS (Statistics Netherlands), IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service), Belastingdienst, and other Dutch government bodies. All figures are updated as new data becomes available.
Journalists, researchers, and bloggers: You are free to cite any figures from this page. See the citation section at the bottom.
Expat Population
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total expats / foreign-born residents in NL | ~1.2 million | CBS 2025 |
| Share of total population | ~6.8% | CBS 2025 |
| New knowledge migrant permits issued per year | ~45,000 | IND 2024 |
| EU/EEA nationals registered | ~550,000 | CBS 2025 |
| Non-EU nationals registered | ~650,000 | CBS 2025 |
Top nationalities living in the Netherlands:
| Nationality | Estimated number |
|---|---|
| German | ~120,000 |
| Polish | ~115,000 |
| Turkish | ~105,000 |
| Moroccan | ~100,000 |
| British | ~45,000 |
| Indian | ~40,000 |
| American | ~25,000 |
| Chinese | ~20,000 |
Cities with the largest expat populations:
| City | Estimated expat population |
|---|---|
| Amsterdam | ~180,000 |
| The Hague | ~95,000 |
| Rotterdam | ~85,000 |
| Eindhoven | ~40,000 |
| Utrecht | ~35,000 |
Amsterdam hosts both the largest absolute number of expats and the highest share relative to total city population. The Hague is home to a large diplomatic and international community, including staff from NATO, the ICC, and the EU agencies. Eindhoven has seen rapid growth driven by the ASML effect and the broader high-tech corridor around Brainport.
See our city guides: Amsterdam · Rotterdam · The Hague · Eindhoven · Utrecht
Cost of Living 2026
These figures represent typical costs for a single expat adult. Actual costs vary by lifestyle, location, and household composition.
Rent
| Property type | Amsterdam | Rotterdam | The Hague | Eindhoven |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | €1,500–2,000/mo | €1,100–1,500/mo | €1,100–1,600/mo | €900–1,300/mo |
| 2-bedroom apartment | €2,000–2,800/mo | €1,500–2,100/mo | €1,500–2,200/mo | €1,200–1,700/mo |
| Studio | €1,100–1,500/mo | €900–1,200/mo | €900–1,200/mo | €750–1,000/mo |
The Dutch rental market remains extremely tight, with vacancy rates below 2% in the Randstad (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht). Waiting lists for social housing (sociale huur) in Amsterdam exceed 10 years for new registrants.
Expats typically rent in the private (vrije sector) market, where rents are unregulated above the current liberalisation threshold. Since July 2024, a new “mid-rent” regulation (middenhuur) has introduced some rent controls up to approximately €1,123/month, though practical application varies.
Related guides: Finding Housing in the Netherlands · Funda vs Pararius · Rental Scams to Avoid
Monthly Living Costs (Single Person, Excluding Rent)
| Category | Estimated monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Groceries | €300–400 |
| Health insurance (basisverzekering) | €130–175 |
| Public transport monthly pass | €98–120 |
| Utilities (gas, electricity, water) | €150–200 |
| Mobile phone plan | €15–40 |
| Internet (home) | €30–50 |
| Gym membership | €25–60 |
| Dining out (2–3x per week) | €150–250 |
Estimated total monthly cost (excluding rent, single person): €900–1,300
Estimated total monthly cost (including average Amsterdam rent): €2,400–3,300
Use our Cost of Living Calculator to build a personalised estimate.
Related: Cost of Living Netherlands 2026 — Full Breakdown
Salaries & Tax
Salary Benchmarks
| Role / Sector | Average gross annual salary |
|---|---|
| All employees (national average) | €44,000 (CBS) |
| Software engineer / developer | €55,000–75,000 |
| Data scientist / ML engineer | €60,000–80,000 |
| Financial analyst | €50,000–65,000 |
| Marketing manager | €50,000–65,000 |
| Nurse (HBO-level) | €38,000–46,000 |
| Teacher (secondary school) | €42,000–60,000 |
| Construction / trades | €35,000–50,000 |
Minimum Wage 2026
| Category | Monthly gross |
|---|---|
| Adults (21 and older) | €2,070 |
| Age 20 | €1,656 |
| Age 18 | €1,242 |
The Dutch minimum wage is adjusted twice per year (January and July) based on average wage growth.
Tax Brackets 2026 (Box 1 — Income from Employment)
| Income bracket | Tax rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to €76,817 | 36.97% | Includes social security premiums |
| Above €76,817 | 49.50% | No social security premiums above AOW franchise |
The first bracket rate includes national insurance contributions (premies volksverzekeringen) for AOW (state pension), ANW (survivor benefit), and WLZ (long-term care). Employees do not pay the full 36.97% themselves — the employer withholds payroll tax (loonbelasting) which is credited against the annual income tax liability.
30% Ruling (Kennismigrantenregeling)
| Parameter | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| Minimum salary threshold (under 30) | €35,048 gross/year |
| Minimum salary threshold (30 and older) | €46,107 gross/year |
| Maximum duration | 5 years |
| Effective tax benefit | Roughly 10–15% more net salary |
| Estimated % of knowledge migrants who qualify | ~70–80% |
The 30% ruling allows qualifying expat employees to receive 30% of their gross salary tax-free, as compensation for extraterritorial costs. The ruling was tightened in 2024 (reduced from 5+2 partial years to a flat 5 years) but remains one of the most generous expat tax incentives in Europe.
Full details: 30% Ruling Netherlands — Complete Guide · 30% Ruling Calculator
Other Tax Data
| Tax | Rate / figure |
|---|---|
| VAT (standard rate) | 21% |
| VAT (food, books, medicines) | 9% |
| Corporate tax (up to €200,000 profit) | 19% |
| Corporate tax (above €200,000) | 25.8% |
| Box 3 deemed return (savings/investments) | ~6.04% (2026 provisional) |
| Dividend withholding tax | 15% |
Related: Dutch Tax System for Expats · How to File a Dutch Tax Return · Salary Checker Tool
Housing Market
Purchase Market
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price Netherlands | ~€420,000 | NVM / Kadaster 2026 |
| Average house price Amsterdam | ~€590,000 | NVM 2026 |
| Average house price Rotterdam | ~€350,000 | NVM 2026 |
| Average house price Eindhoven | ~€380,000 | NVM 2026 |
| Year-on-year price change | +6–8% | NVM Q1 2026 (est.) |
| Average time on market | 3–6 weeks | NVM 2025 |
Buying Costs
| Cost | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer tax (overdrachtsbelasting) — standard | 2% of purchase price |
| Transfer tax — first-time buyers under age 35 (property ≤ €510,000) | 0% |
| Transfer tax — buy-to-let / second property | 10.4% |
| Notary fees | €1,500–2,500 |
| Mortgage adviser | €2,000–3,500 |
| Valuation report (taxatierapport) | €500–750 |
| Structural survey (bouwkundige keuring) | €400–600 |
| Total transaction costs (first-time buyer) | ~2–4% of purchase price |
Mortgage Market
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Average mortgage interest rate (20-year fixed) | ~4.0–4.5% (2026) |
| Maximum loan-to-value ratio (LTV) | 100% of market value |
| Maximum mortgage (national average) | ~€420,000–500,000 (income dependent) |
| NHG (Nationale Hypotheek Garantie) limit | €435,000 (2026) |
| Mortgage interest deduction (hypotheekrenteaftrek) — max rate | 36.97% |
Rental Market Stats
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Vacancy rate in Randstad | <2% |
| Share of housing stock that is social housing | ~35% |
| Average wait time for social housing — Amsterdam | 10–12 years |
| Percentage of expats renting (vs. owning) | ~75% in first 3 years |
Related: Buying vs. Renting in the Netherlands · Expat Mortgage Options · Dutch Mortgage Explained · Housing Budget Checker
Healthcare
Insurance System
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population with mandatory health insurance | 100% (all residents) |
| Average basisverzekering (basic package) premium | ~€145/month (2026) |
| Premium range across insurers | €130–175/month |
| Eigen risico (annual deductible) | €385/year |
| Zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance) — max single person | ~€123/month |
| Share of expats eligible for zorgtoeslag | Varies by income; roughly qualifying if income <€38,000 |
The eigen risico applies to most specialist care and hospital treatment but not to GP (huisarts) visits, maternity care, or most chronic condition treatment. You pay it yourself up to €385 per year; after that, your insurer covers costs within the basic package.
Related: Dutch Health Insurance Guide for Expats · Zilveren Kruis vs. CZ Compared · Zorgtoeslag & Huurtoeslag Guide · Health Insurance Wizard
Access & Waiting Times
| Service | Typical wait time |
|---|---|
| GP (huisarts) — same day or next day | 0–2 days |
| GP referral to outpatient specialist | 4–8 weeks |
| Elective surgery | 4–16 weeks |
| Mental health (GGZ basis) | 3–6 months |
| Mental health (GGZ specialist) | 6–18 months |
| Emergency (SEH / A&E) | Immediate |
Costs Not Covered by Basisverzekering
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Dental care (adults, basic) | €50–200/visit (partially covered from age 18+ only for specific treatments) |
| Physiotherapy (first sessions) | €40–70/session |
| Glasses / contact lenses | Not covered (unless severe vision impairment) |
| Alternative medicine | Not covered |
| Private expat health insurance top-up | €30–80/month |
Related: Best Expat Insurance Netherlands 2026 · SafetyWing vs. Cigna Compared · Mental Health Support for Expats
Work & Employment
Labour Market
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | ~3.6% | CBS 2026 est. |
| Employment rate (working-age population) | ~82% | CBS 2025 |
| Part-time work rate | ~50% of workforce | CBS 2025 |
| Part-time work rate — women | ~73% | CBS 2025 |
| Part-time work rate — men | ~27% | CBS 2025 |
| Average working hours per week | 36–40 | CAO dependent |
| Legal minimum vacation days | 20 (4× weekly hours) | Dutch law |
| Average vacation days in practice | 25–30 | CAO average |
The Netherlands has the highest rate of part-time employment in the EU, a structural feature of the Dutch labour market rather than a sign of underemployment.
Employment Costs & Benefits
| Benefit / cost | Figure |
|---|---|
| Employer social security contribution | ~18–22% of gross salary |
| Vakantiegeld (holiday allowance) | 8% of annual gross salary, paid in May |
| Parental leave (geboorteverlof partner) | 1 week fully paid + 5 weeks at 70% via UWV |
| Sick leave — employer obligation | 2 years at 70% of salary |
| Severance (transitievergoeding) | 1/3 month salary per year of service |
| WW (unemployment benefit) duration | Max 24 months (income dependent) |
Self-Employment / ZZP
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Number of ZZP (freelancers / self-employed) in NL | ~1.2 million |
| Share of workforce that is ZZP | ~13% |
| KvK registration cost | €0 (free since 2022) |
| Zelfstandigenaftrek (self-employment deduction) | €2,470 (2026, reduced annually) |
| MKB-winstvrijstelling (SME profit exemption) | 12.7% of profit |
Related: Freelancer / ZZP Guide Netherlands · Dutch Employment Contract Explained · Dutch Work Culture Guide
Education
International & Higher Education
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| International schools in the Netherlands | 200+ | NUFFIC / Eurydice 2025 |
| English-taught bachelor’s programmes | 500+ | NUFFIC 2025 |
| International students in Dutch higher education | ~120,000 | NUFFIC 2025 |
| University tuition — EU/EEA students | €2,530/year | DUO 2026 |
| University tuition — non-EU students | €8,000–20,000/year | varies per institution |
| HBO (university of applied science) tuition — EU | €2,530/year | DUO 2026 |
Childcare
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Average hourly rate — daycare (dagopvang) | €8–12/hour (before toeslag) |
| Average hourly rate — BSO (after school care) | €7–10/hour (before toeslag) |
| Government kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare allowance) | Covers 70–97% of costs depending on income |
| Typical out-of-pocket after toeslag (lower incomes) | €1–2/hour |
| Waiting lists for childcare (major cities) | 6–18 months |
Related: Dutch Childcare Guide for Expats · International Schools Netherlands 2026
Transportation
Public Transport
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| NS monthly subscription (Dal Vrij, off-peak) | ~€98/month |
| NS monthly subscription (Altijd Vrij, all hours) | ~€120/month |
| Single train journey Amsterdam–Rotterdam | ~€17.50 |
| GVB / RET / HTM monthly pass (city tram/bus/metro) | €100–115/month |
| Train punctuality (arriving within 3 minutes) | ~92% |
| Total rail network length | 3,223 km |
Cycling
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Share of all trips made by bike | ~27% | KiM 2025 |
| Cycling infrastructure length | 35,000+ km | Fietsberaad |
| Average Dutch person cycling distance per year | ~900 km | KiM |
| Bicycle theft per year | ~600,000 | CBS |
| Cities with highest cycling modal share | Groningen (59%), Utrecht (40%), Amsterdam (38%) |
Aviation
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Schiphol passenger numbers | ~60 million/year (2025) |
| Schiphol rank in Europe | 3rd largest (after Heathrow and CDG) |
| Direct destinations | 300+ |
| Eindhoven Airport passengers | ~7 million/year |
Related: OV-chipkaart Guide for Expats · Cycling in the Netherlands — Expat Guide
Immigration & Legal
Permits & Registration
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New residence permits issued annually | ~100,000+ | IND 2024 |
| Knowledge migrant (kennismigrant) permits | ~45,000/year | IND 2024 |
| Average processing time — knowledge migrant application | 2–4 weeks | IND |
| BSN registration wait time (DigiD) — major cities | 1–4 weeks | Municipalities |
| Inburgeringsexamen pass rate (civic integration) | ~74% | DUO 2024 |
Path to Permanent Residency & Citizenship
| Milestone | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Permanent residency (verblijfsvergunning onbepaalde tijd) | 5 years legal residence |
| Dutch citizenship (naturalisation) | 5 years + inburgering + B1 Dutch |
| Dutch citizenship via option procedure (EU) | 5 years + conditions |
| Dual citizenship permitted | Generally no (exceptions apply) |
Related: Highly Skilled Migrant Visa Guide · BSN Registration Guide · DigiD Guide for Expats · Visa & Permit Finder
Language
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Dutch speakers in the Netherlands | ~17 million |
| Population speaking English fluently | ~90% (EF English Proficiency Index — Netherlands: #1 in world) |
| Registered NT2 (Dutch as second language) learners | ~50,000/year |
| Inburgeringsplicht (civic integration obligation) applies to | Non-EU immigrants (most categories) |
| Required Dutch level for integration exam | A2 (speaking), B1 (reading) |
The Netherlands consistently tops global English proficiency rankings, which makes day-to-day life manageable for new arrivals. However, speaking Dutch significantly improves job prospects outside the international-company environment and is required for civic integration and citizenship.
Related: Best Dutch Language Courses 2026 · Babbel vs. Duolingo for Learning Dutch · Inburgeringsexamen Preparation Guide
Banking & Finance
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Largest Dutch banks by customers | ING, Rabobank, ABN AMRO, SNS |
| Average bank account monthly fee | €2–6/month |
| Average savings interest rate (major banks) | 1.5–2.5% (2026) |
| Contactless payment adoption | ~92% of POS transactions |
| iDEAL transactions per year | ~1.4 billion (2024) |
| Average international transfer cost (traditional bank) | €10–30 flat + margin |
| Wise / Revolut fee for same transfer | <1% |
Related: Best International Money Transfers Netherlands · Bunq vs. N26 for Expats · Bank Account Chooser Tool
Climate & Environment
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Average annual temperature | 10.5°C |
| Average annual rainfall | ~800 mm |
| Average sunshine hours per year | ~1,650 hours |
| CO₂ emissions per capita | ~6.4 tonnes/year (2024, declining) |
| Renewable energy share | ~37% (2024) |
| Population living below sea level | ~26% |
| Area of the Netherlands below sea level | ~26% |
Quick Reference: Key Numbers at a Glance
| Topic | Key figure |
|---|---|
| Expat population | ~1.2 million |
| Average gross salary | €44,000/year |
| 30% ruling minimum salary | €46,107/year |
| Average Amsterdam rent (1-bed) | €1,500–2,000/month |
| Health insurance premium | €130–175/month |
| Eigen risico | €385/year |
| Average house price | ~€420,000 |
| Income tax rate (up to €76,817) | 36.97% |
| Minimum wage (21+) | €2,070/month gross |
| Unemployment rate | ~3.6% |
| English proficiency rank | #1 in world |
| Cycling share of all trips | 27% |
Data Sources
These statistics are drawn from the following primary sources:
- CBS (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek) — www.cbs.nl — Population, labour market, income, housing
- IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst) — www.ind.nl — Permit numbers, processing times
- Belastingdienst — www.belastingdienst.nl — Tax rates, eigen risico, toeslagen
- NVM (Dutch Association of Real Estate Agents) — www.nvm.nl — House prices, market data
- NUFFIC — www.nuffic.nl — International education statistics
- DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs) — www.duo.nl — Tuition fees, inburgering data
- NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) — www.ns.nl — Rail data
- KiM (Kennisinstituut voor Mobiliteitsbeleid) — Cycling and transport modal share
- EF English Proficiency Index — www.ef.com/epi
- Fietsberaad — Cycling infrastructure data
All figures represent the best available data as of early 2026. Some statistics are estimates or ranges due to variation across municipalities or income levels.
Cite This Page
You are free to use any statistics from this page. We ask that you include a link to this page as your source:
ExpatNetherlandsHub.com — Expat Statistics Netherlands 2026 https://expatnetherlandshub.com/statistics/
Last updated: March 2026
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