Practical information

Housing for international employees

Finding housing in Amsterdam can be quite a challenge. Affordable housing is extremely scarce in the current housing crisis. We recommend you start looking for housing as early as possible. We also have a UvA Staff Housing office that can help eligible international PhDs, researchers and guests coming directly from abroad to look for housing.

Practical information

Housing for international employees

The UvA Staff Housing office helps international PhDs, researchers and guests coming directly from abroad to look for housing in a competitive housing market.

Looking for housing

On your own

The Netherlands is facing a major housing crisis. Even for locals it has become extremely difficult to find housing, for newcomers this is even more pressing. One option is to search for housing outside of Amsterdam. You should also keep in mind that there are various types of housing in the Netherlands.

Social housing

Social housing is (relatively) affordable housing meant for people with lower incomes. The accommodations are owned by social housing organisations (often referred to as corporations). There are long waiting lists for social housing in the Netherlands; currently this is around 15 years, but there are steps you can take to secure social housing faster.
The social housing system works with a point system, the more points you have, the higher your chances are of getting social housing. You get one point for every year that you are registered and one point if you react to four houses each month. Meaning that people who are actively searching for housing have higher chances of receiving social housing. You can apply for social housing for Amsterdam and the surrounding areas on Woningnet Amsterdam. Please note that your income must be below the income threshold for social housing.

Private sector housing

This is non-subsidised housing, privately owned by housing organisations or individuals (also called free sector housing). There is less regulation of private sector housing when it comes to rents and services. Private sector housing organisations have their own terms and conditions for selecting tenants. Often they have income requirements: prospective tenants are required to show proof of a monthly income that is 3.5 or 4 times the rent. For private sector housing it is not possible to receive a housing allowance. The following websites are useful for finding rental accommodations in or outside Amsterdam:
  • Amsterdam Housing
  • Funda
  • HappyBrokers
  • Holland2Stay 
    Sign up for rooms, both first come first serve & lottery. However, most apartments require a minimum income to apply.
  • Huurwoningen
    Available in Dutch only
  • MVA Expat Broker
  • Nestpick
  • Our Domain
    Offers furnished studios or 2-person apartments. Sign up to get notified when apartments become available.
  • Pararius
  • RentSlam
    Monthly subscription packages cost between €16,65 - €29,95 a month.
  • Roofz
  • Socius
    A housing agency for mostly young people. Some locations are exclusively for students.
  • The Social Hub
    Offers fully furnished hotel-like studios with private bathroom and shared kitchen.
  • Uniplaces
  • Uprent is a free platform that combines listings from Funda, Pararius & Kamernet into one feed, sends notifications about new listings, and organizes your search.
  • Urban Short Stay
    Mostly for PhD candidates and most apartment advertisements require a minimum income to apply.
  • Xpat Rentals

Anti-squat housing

If you are looking for temporary housing then anti-squat might be good option for you. The advantage is that it is usually quite cheap. The disadvantage is that your contract can be terminated at any time so your housing situation is very unsecure. If you are interested in anti-squat renting check out these websites:

Student housing (for PhD's candidates)

If you are a PHD candidate  then you are considered an employee, however most student housing organisations are still available to you. The UvA Student Housing website has a lot of good tips and tricks on how to find student housing.  

Subletting

Subletting is a very common and useful way of getting temporary housing. Facebook groups are the most common way of finding sublets. However they are also used for widespread scams. Later on this page there is more info on how to avoid scams, please read it carefully. Subletting websites:
  • HelloHousemate
    You can create a free profile to search and respond to rental housing listings. You can also sign up for “Housemate Connect”, a platform where you can find other people looking for housing and start looking for housing together.
  • Hospi Housing
    Free platform where international students can find a Dutch home at local hosts & guest families. It provides you with a soft landing and it is the perfect way to experience the Dutch culture and language.
  • Kamer 
    Connects students with rooms, studios and apartments. Users can create a profile listing their specifications to receive email alerts on relevant properties.
  • KamerAmsterdam
    Offers rooms. However, a fee might be required to apply for rooms.
  • Kamernet
    Offers a large number of rooms. You need to have a personal profile to respond to room adverts. They charge a fee for membership (Premium Membership 1 month: €19,95).
  • Kamerverhuur
    Another platform with housing listings, but only available in Dutch.
  • Pararius
    Offers a large number of rooms. Searching the site and responding to ads is free.

Short-stay and temporary accommodation

Short-stay accommodation If you are looking for accommodation longer than 1 month, but shorter  than 1 year, then following short-stay accommodation companies might be a good fit for you.
  • Hotel Casa
  • Hotel JansenAn all-inclusive hotel aimed at short-stay accommodation for students and young professionals from all over the world. Fully furnished rooms with shared kitchen.
  • Hotel Le Coin
  • The Social HubWe do not have ‘discount codes’ for the Social Hub.
Temporary accommodation Perhaps you only need to stay in Amsterdam for a few days or you are in between housing.  In this case there are a lot of good temporary options, such as hostels and hotels. See below a selection of the many options:

Housing outside of Amsterdam

The Netherlands is a small country and the public transport is generally quite good. Therefore living outside of Amsterdam and making a commute to work is considered a very viable option. So when searching for housing please also look at cities and villages outside of Amsterdam, such as Utrecht, Haarlem, Hoofddorp, Almere, Amstelveen, Zaandam, Purmerend, Weesp, Hilversum or Diemen. Each city and region has their own social housing system, applying for multiple social housing websites increases your chances of finding housing.

Avoiding scams

  • If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Do not transfer money before a viewing (especially via Western Union or PayPal). Always check the apartment and make sure the keys work, before handing over large amounts of money. If you cannot do this yourself, again, see if you can ask someone else to help.
  • Research advertised photos via google reverse image search.
  • Google the landlord and address. It is always good to read some reviews. And look for a KvK-number (check their registration with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce)
  • Always ask for a rental contract/agreement. That gives you more security.
  • Be wary of illegal fees. Examples of illegal fees are: agency fees, disproportionally high administration fees or contract fees. A deposit of one or two months’ rent is usually required. This deposit is refunded if you leave the property in good condition.
  • Be aware of illegal subletting as this may affect your rights as a tenant.
  • If in doubt, check your rights. The support agency !Woon is specialized in providing legal advice.
  • TenantHero can guide you on the way to fixing your contract problems without having to change your address.

Tenancy agreements in the Netherlands

  • Ask a Dutch colleague to help you understand the tenancy agreement, so that you know the terms by which you will be legally bound.
  • Check the dates carefully on the tenancy agreement before signing.
  • In most cases, you cannot terminate your rental agreement in the first 12 months. After 12 months, termination is possible with one month's notice.
  • You may be required to pay a refundable deposit of up to two months’ rent.
  • If possible, pay everything through bank transfers. If your landlord prefers payment in cash, think twice before accepting, as it might be a scam. Always request a receipt for cash payments.

Registration, city taxes and allowances

Some important administrative tasks need to be completed after your arrival in Amsterdam. Registering in Amsterdam You will need to register with the municipality (gemeente) if you plan to live or work in the Netherlands. Please see the website of the City of Amsterdam for information on how to register. Registration is mandatory when you are staying more than 4 months in The Netherlands.
Citizen Service Number (BSN) If you are moving from abroad and registering for the first time in The Netherlands, you will receive a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN). A BSN is required in order to work, open a bank account, get access to health care and apply for benefits or allowances. 
DigiD When you take care of official matters in the Netherlands, a DigiD is required: a unique online identification that is connected to your citizen service number (BSN) and home address. 
Housing allowance For tenants of self-contained accommodations (social housing system) you might be eligible for a housing allowance, depending on your income and savings. Applying for a housing allowance takes place through the municipality where you live. The University of Amsterdam cannot apply for you or influence the outcome of your application.
Tourist tax (for hotel stays) For visitors not registering with the municipality of Amsterdam, your hotel will charge you a tourist tax. This is 7% of the room rate plus €3 for the first 21 days of your stay.
Municipal taxes  Read more about the different types of taxes in the Netherlands.
Waste collection Local authorities will contact you, by letter or by email, in order to collect municipal taxes for things like garbage collection. If you have a low income, you may be eligible for an exemption from municipal taxes.
Water Waternet is the organisation in charge of water management and purification in the Amsterdam region. You will receive a yearly bill for water use and water tax. Read more about understanding your Waternet bill. If you have a low income, you may be exempt from paying the water tax. Read more about the remission of your water tax

Looking for housing

UvA Staff Housing office

UvA Staff Housing offers short stay and long stay accommodations for the duration of your research or visit. We will do our utmost to find you a place to live, but we cannot offer any guarantees because accommodations are in short supply. Please also initiate your own search for housing. Please note: You cannot apply to UvA Staff Housing yourself. Our services must be arranged by the faculty or research institute that is hosting you. 
To find out if you're eligible, please contact your faculty or research institute for information.

Step-by-step process

  • Step 1: The faculty/research institute submits your application for staff housing.
  • Step 2: You will receive our ‘Welcome to Staff Housing’ email.
  • Step 3: 3 months prior to your arrival, we ask you to complete an additional registration form about your personal information and preferences. Staff Housing will now start searching for you.
  • Step 4: Staff Housing presents you a housing offer of the best available option for accommodation in Amsterdam.
  • Step 5: Pay the UvA Staff Housing fee to officially accept the offered accommodation
  • Step 6: Your details will be forwarded to the housing company owning your accommodation
  • Step 7: The housing company will contact you about the tenancy registration + payment of rent and contract costs.
  • Step 8: You are ready to collect the keys and move in.

Accommodation selection

UvA Staff Housing mediates between international staff and social and private sector housing organisations, preferring social housing for individuals with a (relatively) low income. We consider your commute, budget, household composition and the duration of your stay when choosing an accommodation for you. Please note: We are bound by the limited availability of the staff housing accommodations. It may not be possible to meet specific housing preferences. This also means that we can usually only provide a single housing offer for each applicant.

Accommodation types and rent

Available accommodation depends on how long you'll be in the Netherlands and whether you will be living by yourself or with others. See overview of accommodation types and the monthly rent.

Housing fee

When accepting an accommodation offer from UvA Staff Housing, you will be asked to pay the UvA Staff Housing Fee. From 1 January 2025, the fee will be € 585 regardless of the duration of your stay. You will receive more information once you apply. Until 1 January 2025, the fee depends on the length of your stay.
  • Up to 2 months €105
  • 2 to 4 months €210
  • 4 to 6 months €315
  • 6 to 8 months €420
  • 8 months or more €525
Why do I have to pay the UvA Staff Housing fee? The housing fee is used to cover costs that come with providing housing to international PhDs, researchers and guests. These include costs for reservations and rent, maintenance of accommodations and the operating costs of the UvA Staff Housing office itself. These costs cannot legitimately be covered by university funding that is meant for academic purposes. The UvA Staff Housing fee will be charged when you accept an offer of accommodation. This means that you are obliged to pay the housing fee when you move between houses. We offer a grace period of up to 13 months for candidates who, for example, embark on work in the field while remaining affiliated with the University of Amsterdam and choose to vacate their accommodation. This means that when leaving an accommodation, you will not have to pay the housing fee again if you accept another accommodation offered by UvA Staff Housing within 13 months of leaving your previous accommodation. Please note: the housing company that owns your accommodation will charge a separate administration fee or contract costs when you sign the rental agreement. For additional housing-related expenses, see registration, city taxes and allowances.

Registration, city taxes and allowances

Some important administrative tasks need to be completed after your arrival in Amsterdam. Registering in Amsterdam You will need to register with the municipality (gemeente) if you plan to live or work in the Netherlands. Please see the website of the City of Amsterdam for information on how to register. Registration is mandatory when you are staying more than 4 months in The Netherlands. Citizen Service Number (BSN) If you are moving from abroad and registering for the first time in The Netherlands, you will receive a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN). A BSN is required in order to work, open a bank account, get access to health care and apply for benefits or allowances.  DigiD When you take care of official matters in the Netherlands, a DigiD is required: a unique online identification that is connected to your citizen service number (BSN) and home address.  Housing allowance For tenants of self-contained accommodations (social housing system) you might be eligible for a housing allowance, depending on your income and savings. Applying for a housing allowance takes place through the municipality where you live. The University of Amsterdam cannot apply for you or influence the outcome of your application. Tourist tax (for hotel stays) For visitors not registering with the municipality of Amsterdam, your hotel will charge you a tourist tax. This is 7% of the room rate plus €3 for the first 21 days of your stay. Municipal taxes  Read more about the different types of taxes in the Netherlands. Waste collection Local authorities will contact you, by letter or by email, in order to collect municipal taxes for things like garbage collection. If you have a low income, you may be eligible for an exemption from municipal taxes. Water Waternet is the organisation in charge of water management and purification in the Amsterdam region. You will receive a yearly bill for water use and water tax. Read more about understanding your Waternet bill. If you have a low income, you may be exempt from paying the water tax. Read more about the remission of your water tax

Looking for housing on your own

The Netherlands is facing a major housing crisis. Even for locals it has become extremely difficult to find housing, for newcomers this is even more pressing. One option is to search for housing outside of Amsterdam. You should also keep in mind that there are various types of housing in the Netherlands.

Social housing

Social housing is (relatively) affordable housing meant for people with lower incomes. The accommodations are owned by social housing organisations (often referred to as corporations). There are long waiting lists for social housing in the Netherlands; currently this is around 15 years, but there are steps you can take to secure social housing faster. The social housing system works with a point system, the more points you have, the higher your chances are of getting social housing. You get one point for every year that you are registered and one point if you react to four houses each month. Meaning that people who are actively searching for housing have higher chances of receiving social housing. You can apply for social housing for Amsterdam and the surrounding areas on Woningnet Amsterdam. Please note that your income must be below the income threshold for social housing.

Private sector housing

This is non-subsidised housing, privately owned by housing organisations or individuals (also called free sector housing). There is less regulation of private sector housing when it comes to rents and services. Private sector housing organisations have their own terms and conditions for selecting tenants. Often they have income requirements: prospective tenants are required to show proof of a monthly income that is 3.5 or 4 times the rent. For private sector housing it is not possible to receive a housing allowance. The following websites are useful for finding rental accommodations in or outside Amsterdam:
  • Amsterdam Housing
  • Funda
  • HappyBrokers
  • Holland2StaySign up for rooms, both first come first serve & lottery. However, most apartments require a minimum income to apply.
  • HuurwoningenAvailable in Dutch only
  • MVA Expat Broker
  • Nestpick
  • Our DomainOffers furnished studios or 2-person apartments. Sign up to get notified when apartments become available.
  • Pararius
  • RentSlamMonthly subscription packages cost between €16,65 - €29,95 a month.
  • Roofz
  • SociusA housing agency for mostly young people. Some locations are exclusively for students.
  • The Social HubOffers fully furnished hotel-like studios with private bathroom and shared kitchen.
  • Uniplaces
  • Uprent is a free platform that combines listings from Funda, Pararius & Kamernet into one feed, sends notifications about new listings, and organizes your search.
  • Urban Short StayMostly for PhD candidates and most apartment advertisements require a minimum income to apply.
  • Xpat Rentals

Anti-squat housing

If you are looking for temporary housing then anti-squat might be good option for you. The advantage is that it is usually quite cheap. The disadvantage is that your contract can be terminated at any time so your housing situation is very unsecure. If you are interested in anti-squat renting check out these websites:

Student housing (for PhD's candidates)

If you are a PHD candidate  then you are considered an employee, however most student housing organisations are still available to you. The UvA Student Housing website has a lot of good tips and tricks on how to find student housing.  

Subletting

Subletting is a very common and useful way of getting temporary housing. Facebook groups are the most common way of finding sublets. However they are also used for widespread scams. Later on this page there is more info on how to avoid scams, please read it carefully. Subletting websites:
  • HelloHousemate
    You can create a free profile to search and respond to rental housing listings. You can also sign up for “Housemate Connect”, a platform where you can find other people looking for housing and start looking for housing together.
  • Hospi Housing
    Free platform where international students can find a Dutch home at local hosts & guest families. It provides you with a soft landing and it is the perfect way to experience the Dutch culture and language.
  • Kamer 
    Connects students with rooms, studios and apartments. Users can create a profile listing their specifications to receive email alerts on relevant properties.
  • KamerAmsterdam
    Offers rooms. However, a fee might be required to apply for rooms.
  • Kamernet
    Offers a large number of rooms. You need to have a personal profile to respond to room adverts. They charge a fee for membership (Premium Membership 1 month: €19,95).
  • Kamerverhuur
    Another platform with housing listings, but only available in Dutch.
  • Pararius
    Offers a large number of rooms. Searching the site and responding to ads is free.

Short-stay and temporary accommodation

Short-stay accommodation If you are looking for accommodation longer than 1 month, but shorter  than 1 year, then following short-stay accommodation companies might be a good fit for you.
  • Hotel Casa
  • Hotel JansenAn all-inclusive hotel aimed at short-stay accommodation for students and young professionals from all over the world. Fully furnished rooms with shared kitchen.
  • Hotel Le Coin
  • The Social HubWe do not have ‘discount codes’ for the Social Hub.
Temporary accommodation Perhaps you only need to stay in Amsterdam for a few days or you are in between housing.  In this case there are a lot of good temporary options, such as hostels and hotels. See below a selection of the many options:

Housing outside of Amsterdam

The Netherlands is a small country and the public transport is generally quite good. Therefore living outside of Amsterdam and making a commute to work is considered a very viable option. So when searching for housing please also look at cities and villages outside of Amsterdam, such as Utrecht, Haarlem, Hoofddorp, Almere, Amstelveen, Zaandam, Purmerend, Weesp, Hilversum or Diemen. Each city and region has their own social housing system, applying for multiple social housing websites increases your chances of finding housing.

Avoiding scams

  • If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Do not transfer money before a viewing (especially via Western Union or PayPal). Always check the apartment and make sure the keys work, before handing over large amounts of money. If you cannot do this yourself, again, see if you can ask someone else to help.
  • Research advertised photos via google reverse image search.
  • Google the landlord and address. It is always good to read some reviews. And look for a KvK-number (check their registration with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce)
  • Always ask for a rental contract/agreement. That gives you more security.
  • Be wary of illegal fees. Examples of illegal fees are: agency fees, disproportionally high administration fees or contract fees. A deposit of one or two months’ rent is usually required. This deposit is refunded if you leave the property in good condition.
  • Be aware of illegal subletting as this may affect your rights as a tenant.
  • If in doubt, check your rights. The support agency !Woon is specialized in providing legal advice.
  • TenantHero can guide you on the way to fixing your contract problems without having to change your address.

Tenancy agreements in the Netherlands

  • Ask a Dutch colleague to help you understand the tenancy agreement, so that you know the terms by which you will be legally bound.
  • Check the dates carefully on the tenancy agreement before signing.
  • In most cases, you cannot terminate your rental agreement in the first 12 months. After 12 months, termination is possible with one month's notice.
  • You may be required to pay a refundable deposit of up to two months’ rent.
  • If possible, pay everything through bank transfers. If your landlord prefers payment in cash, think twice before accepting, as it might be a scam. Always request a receipt for cash payments.

Registration, city taxes and allowances

Some important administrative tasks need to be completed after your arrival in Amsterdam. Registering in Amsterdam You will need to register with the municipality (gemeente) if you plan to live or work in the Netherlands. Please see the website of the City of Amsterdam for information on how to register. Registration is mandatory when you are staying more than 4 months in The Netherlands. Citizen Service Number (BSN) If you are moving from abroad and registering for the first time in The Netherlands, you will receive a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN). A BSN is required in order to work, open a bank account, get access to health care and apply for benefits or allowances.  DigiD When you take care of official matters in the Netherlands, a DigiD is required: a unique online identification that is connected to your citizen service number (BSN) and home address.  Housing allowance For tenants of self-contained accommodations (social housing system) you might be eligible for a housing allowance, depending on your income and savings. Applying for a housing allowance takes place through the municipality where you live. The University of Amsterdam cannot apply for you or influence the outcome of your application. Tourist tax (for hotel stays) For visitors not registering with the municipality of Amsterdam, your hotel will charge you a tourist tax. This is 7% of the room rate plus €3 for the first 21 days of your stay. Municipal taxes  Read more about the different types of taxes in the Netherlands. Waste collection Local authorities will contact you, by letter or by email, in order to collect municipal taxes for things like garbage collection. If you have a low income, you may be eligible for an exemption from municipal taxes. Water Waternet is the organisation in charge of water management and purification in the Amsterdam region. You will receive a yearly bill for water use and water tax. Read more about understanding your Waternet bill. If you have a low income, you may be exempt from paying the water tax. Read more about the remission of your water tax

Looking for housing through the UvA Staff Housing office

UvA Staff Housing offers short stay and long stay accommodations for the duration of your research or visit. We will do our utmost to find you a place to live, but we cannot offer any guarantees because accommodations are in short supply. Please also initiate your own search for housing. Please note: You cannot apply to UvA Staff Housing yourself. Our services must be arranged by the faculty or research institute that is hosting you. 
To find out if you're eligible, please contact your faculty or research institute for information.

Step-by-step process

  • Step 1: The faculty/research institute submits your application for staff housing.
  • Step 2: You will receive our ‘Welcome to Staff Housing’ email.
  • Step 3: 3 months prior to your arrival, we ask you to complete an additional registration form about your personal information and preferences. Staff Housing will now start searching for you.
  • Step 4: Staff Housing presents you a housing offer of the best available option for accommodation in Amsterdam.
  • Step 5: Pay the UvA Staff Housing fee to officially accept the offered accommodation
  • Step 6: Your details will be forwarded to the housing company owning your accommodation
  • Step 7: The housing company will contact you about the tenancy registration + payment of rent and contract costs.
  • Step 8: You are ready to collect the keys and move in.

Accommodation selection

UvA Staff Housing mediates between international staff and social and private sector housing organisations, preferring social housing for individuals with a (relatively) low income. We consider your commute, budget, household composition and the duration of your stay when choosing an accommodation for you.
UvA Staff Housing mediates between international staff and social and private sector housing organisations, preferring social housing for individuals with a (relatively) low income. We consider your commute, budget, household composition and the duration of your stay when choosing an accommodation for you.

Accommodation types and rent

Available accommodation depends on how long you'll be in the Netherlands and whether you will be living by yourself or with others. See overview of accommodation types and the monthly rent.

Housing fee

When accepting an accommodation offer from UvA Staff Housing, you will be asked to pay the UvA Staff Housing Fee. From 1 January 2025, the fee will be € 585 regardless of the duration of your stay. You will receive more information once you apply. Until 1 January 2025, the fee depends on the length of your stay.
  • Up to 2 months €105
  • 2 to 4 months €210
  • 4 to 6 months €315
  • 6 to 8 months €420
  • 8 months or more €525
Why do I have to pay the UvA Staff Housing fee? The housing fee is used to cover costs that come with providing housing to international PhDs, researchers and guests. These include costs for reservations and rent, maintenance of accommodations and the operating costs of the UvA Staff Housing office itself. These costs cannot legitimately be covered by university funding that is meant for academic purposes.
The UvA Staff Housing fee will be charged when you accept an offer of accommodation. This means that you are obliged to pay the housing fee when you move between houses. We offer a grace period of up to 13 months for candidates who, for example, embark on work in the field while remaining affiliated with the University of Amsterdam and choose to vacate their accommodation. This means that when leaving an accommodation, you will not have to pay the housing fee again if you accept another accommodation offered by UvA Staff Housing within 13 months of leaving your previous accommodation.
  Please note: the housing company that owns your accommodation will charge a separate administration fee or contract costs when you sign the rental agreement. For additional housing-related expenses, see registration, city taxes and allowances.  

Registration, city taxes and allowances

Some important administrative tasks need to be completed after your arrival in Amsterdam. Registering in Amsterdam You will need to register with the municipality (gemeente) if you plan to live or work in the Netherlands. Please see the website of the City of Amsterdam for information on how to register. Registration is mandatory when you are staying more than 4 months in The Netherlands. Citizen Service Number (BSN) If you are moving from abroad and registering for the first time in The Netherlands, you will receive a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN). A BSN is required in order to work, open a bank account, get access to health care and apply for benefits or allowances.  DigiD When you take care of official matters in the Netherlands, a DigiD is required: a unique online identification that is connected to your citizen service number (BSN) and home address.  Housing allowance For tenants of self-contained accommodations (social housing system) you might be eligible for a housing allowance, depending on your income and savings. Applying for a housing allowance takes place through the municipality where you live. The University of Amsterdam cannot apply for you or influence the outcome of your application. Tourist tax (for hotel stays) For visitors not registering with the municipality of Amsterdam, your hotel will charge you a tourist tax. This is 7% of the room rate plus €3 for the first 21 days of your stay. Municipal taxes  Read more about the different types of taxes in the Netherlands. Waste collection Local authorities will contact you, by letter or by email, in order to collect municipal taxes for things like garbage collection. If you have a low income, you may be eligible for an exemption from municipal taxes. Water Waternet is the organisation in charge of water management and purification in the Amsterdam region. You will receive a yearly bill for water use and water tax. Read more about understanding your Waternet bill. If you have a low income, you may be exempt from paying the water tax. Read more about the remission of your water tax