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16 best places to study or work in Amsterdam in 2026

DutchReview Crew
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5
16 best places to study or work in Amsterdam in 2026

Looking for a cosy spot to work or study in Amsterdam? We’ve found the best of the best.

Let’s be honest; sitting at the same desk and staring at the same walls every day for hours on end messes with your focus.

But if you’re living in Amsterdam, you have a ton of great options for studying and working outside of your home. Our team often come from Amsterdam and collaborated on this article to bring you the best of the best. 💪

Oh, and it goes without saying, but all of these spots have top-quality coffee to help you power all your tasks! ☕️

1. Volkshotel: the student hotspot

The Volkshotel is a trendy spot for students in Amsterdam and at the top of our list. Located in central Amsterdam, just a stone’s throw from the UvA, the hotel has a werkplaats (working area) with plenty of indoor and outdoor study spaces and huge windows.

The best part? Big tables with loads of plugs. 🔌

Have a group project or need to schedule a work meeting? The Volkshotel has lots of meeting rooms that you can book for group sessions.

They even have work cabins! How gezellig is that? But heads up: you have to pay for the work cabins, and the prices can vary depending on the size. If you want free, it’s best to stick to the werkplaats.

🏢 Type: Coworking space
💶 Price: The werkplaats is free. Cabin prices vary
🕐 Opening times: Every day from 7:30 AM to 12:00 AM
📍 Location: Wibautstraat 150, 1091 GR Amsterdam

2. Coffee & Coconuts: for film buffs

A former cinema built in the roaring ’20s, Coffee & Coconuts is now home to a huge, spacious café. It’s great place to study or work, especially if you want the feeling of an open space.

Coffee & Coconuts offers a menu of mostly organic and locally sourced food, as well as freshly roasted beans from all over the world. All-day breakfast, anyone? And if you’re there until later in the day, you can switch from coffee to cocktails too. 😉🍸

This place is especially great for group projects or small meetings, as they have big tables and an inspiring atmosphere to get those creative juices flowing.

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening times: Sunday-Tuesday 8 AM to 6 PM, Wednesday to Saturday 6 PM to 10 PM
📍 Location: Ceintuurbaan 282-284, 1072 GK Amsterdam

3. Bar Kantoor: the lekkerste office in Amsterdam

If a modern working space, classy vintage furniture, and delicious food and drinks sound like a nice combination to you, you’ll love Bar Kantoor!

Located inside a former office of the Westerfabriek, inside Westerpark, Bar Kantoor is a great base for getting some work done while exploring one of the most interesting areas West Amsterdam has to offer.

READ MORE | Discover Bar Kantoor, the ‘lekkerste’ office in Amsterdam

Plus, on sunny days, you can take advantage of their lovely green terrace, with plenty of space to take your work outside or simply sit back and enjoy a drink. 😎

🏢 Type: Bar, restaurant, and working space
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening times: Daily 7 AM to 9:30 PM, open until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays
📍 Location: Haarlemmerweg 8, 1014 BE Amsterdam

4. OBA: the cheapest place to study or work in Amsterdam

A free place to work or study in Amsterdam? With no pressure to purchase an overpriced coffee? That’s the magic of public libraries!

photo-of-interior-oba-library-amsterdam
This library is a magical, free space. Image: Depositphotos

Amsterdam’s OBA is a huge library network. We particularly like OBA Oosterdok, a multi-level library close to Amsterdam Centraal with stacks of study nooks and desks.

You can just walk in, set up your laptop, and start ticking things off your to-do list. The Wi-fi is free — no library card needed!

🏢 Type: Library
💶 Price: Free
🕐 Opening times: Weekdays 8 AM to 10 PM, weekends 10 AM to 8 PM
📍 Location: All over Amsterdam, but we like Oosterdokskade 143

5. Coffee Bru: colourful and cosy

This is the perfect coffee spot for socialising, meetings, and alone time. Coffee Bru has comfortable seats and a quirky atmosphere. They’ve nailed the perfect combination between loads of colour and just enough wood and plants to keep the place feeling gezellig.

On top of the friendly service, they have an amazing rotation of weekly filter and espresso roasts. You can even choose from two locations just 1500 metres away from each other — so if one is full, you can just hop on over to the other!

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening times: Weekdays 7:30 AM to 4 AM, weekends 8:30 AM to 4 PM
📍 Location: Beukenplein 14, 1092 KG Amsterdam; Van Woustraat 113, 1074 AH Amsterdam

6. Startup Village: free coworking space

If you’re on the hunt for a dedicated coworking space with heaps of innovative people in a unique location, Startup Village in Amsterdam’s Science Park is the place.

Better yet? It’s coworking space is completely free!

But don’t stress; you won’t have to get through the day uncaffeinated. The nearby cafe Traiteur Ted’s will give you your coffee bean fix.

🏢 Type: Coworking space
💶 Price: Free
🕐 Opening times: Working days 9 AM to 5 PM
📍 Location: Science Park 608, 1098 XH Amsterdam

7. Back to Black: for pet parents

So you want to leave your house but don’t know anywhere that will let your dog, cat, bunny, hamster, or lizard join you? Well, Back to Black is a lover of all our fluffy (or scaly) friends! 🦎

As for the actual coffee, Back to Black boasts its own roastery and produces high-quality, sustainable coffee, which you can also purchase by bag to take home. They also offer barista and latte art workshops, so you know they’re not messing around!

The comfy layout is perfect for studying, with tons of seating to work solo, in a group, or with your dog.

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening hours: Weekdays 8 AM to 6 PM; weekends 9 AM to 6 PM
📍 Location: Weteringstraat 48, 1017 SP Amsterdam; Van Hallstraat 268, 1051 HM Amsterdam

8. Bocca: the minimalist’s dream

Looking for a clean, minimalist atmosphere for your focused work sessions? Bocca’s got your back. And they’re serious about coffee: they manage the entire coffee chain and doing it sustainably.

The café charges €6 per hour to get some work done there, but you do get a drink that’s included in the price.

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: €6 per hour with a drink included
🕐 Opening hours: Weekdays 8 AM to 6 PM; weekends 9 AM to 6 PM
📍 Location: Kerkstraat 96H, 1017 GP Amsterdam

9. Rum Baba Cafe: for a chiller workday

They call themselves “your happy eclectic home away from home”. Rum Baba is undeniably gezellig, and get this — they have their own bakery just a few doors down for your sweet tooth. 🥐

There’s plenty of seating, including a long wooden table perfect for groups. On sunny days, you can also work outside and take in that sweet vitamin D.

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM; Friday-Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM; Sunday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM
📍 Location: Elandsgracht 134, 1016 VC Amsterdam; Pretoriusstraat 15, 1092 EW Amsterdam

10. The Coffee Virus — A Lab: a coworking haven

A hidden gem, The Coffee Virus is discretely located in one of Shell’s old laboratories. It’s famous for its great coffee and amazing chai tea and offers a relaxed environment for studying or working in Amsterdam.

This cafe’s focus is to create nice and cosy spots to meet other entrepreneurs following the same paths as you. The Coffee Virus wants you to build some connections while having some yummy food and coffee!

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening hours: Weekdays 8:45 AM to 4 PM, closed on weekends
📍 Location: Overhoeksplein 2, 1031 KS Amsterdam

11. Espressofabriek: something for everyone

Espressofabriek is known as the ideal meeting place in the heart of Westerpark. It has a spacious room with plenty of seating, perfect for silent studying.

There are three different locations in Amsterdam, so you’re bound to find something that tickles your fancy!

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening hours: Weekdays 8 AM to 4 PM; weekends 9 AM to 5 PM
📍 Location: Pazzanistraat 39, 1014 DB Amsterdam; IJburglaan 1489, 1087 KM Amsterdam; Roepie Kruizestraat 2, 1095 MC Amsterdam

12. White Label Coffee: focus on fair trade

This café has four locations in Amsterdam, each with long tables perfect for studying and several nice plants for all you plant lovers! Just don’t get too distracted snapping photos. 🪴

White Label Coffee focuses on quality in every aspect. From making the best cup of coffee to paying producers fairly in Rwanda and Brazil (cheers to fair trade!).

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening hours: Weekdays 7 AM to 6 PM; weekends 8 AM to 6 PM
📍 Location: Jan Evertsenstraat 136, 1056 EK Amsterdam

13. Lot61: serious about coffee

Their motto, “Stay caffeinated”, is something we can get behind. We will definitely need their delicious brews while we sit in their cafés for hours on end.

The nicest part of the place — you can watch them hand roast your coffee beans on their huge Probat roaster in the middle of the café. They have limited space for seating, so get there early for a morning study session. The coffee and rustic atmosphere are worth it!

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening hours: Weekdays 8 AM to 6 PM; weekends 9 AM to 6 PM
📍 Location: Kinkerstraat 112, 1053 ED Amsterdam

14. Monks Coffee Roasters: good in the mornings

While all these places have delicious coffee, Monks Coffee Roasters also serves a mean brunch. Suddenly, sending emails at 9 AM doesn’t feel so bad with their pancakes or tacos sitting next to your laptop! 🥞

They also have loads of comfortable seating areas for you to focus on work whilst enjoying a nice cup of coffee. If you’re REALLY into coffee, they have a wide range of choices from Aeropress to French press.

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening hours: Weekdays 8 AM to 4 PM; weekends 9 AM to 4 PM
📍 Location: Bilderdijkstraat 46, 1052 NB Amsterdam

15. Coffee Room: for late-workers

This is one of the few cafés in Amsterdam that stays open until the wee hours of the morning (ahem, 7 PM). If you’re in the zone while you work, you get to enjoy the lovely vibes of this café for a whole extra hour or two.

They’ve got big tables, small tables, a terrasje, counters, and a very eclectic collection of comfy vintage chairs. Oh, and a mezzanine! It’s the perfect level of seriousness (a lot of people around you will be hyper focused) and relaxed (a great playlist and super friendly staff).

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM; Sunday, 9 AM to 7 PM
📍 Location: Bilderdijkstraat 46, 1052 NB Amsterdam

16. YUSU: all things matcha

Yes, they do serve coffee, but they also make mean matcha and matcha-flavoured cakes, cookies — you name it! Plus, the whole vibe of the place is just… *chef’s kiss*.

Comfy couches, massive windows, and consistent colours (the green plates and cups are enough to make you feel like an influencer).

The modern look of the place is bound to motivate you enough to act like you have your life together and you definitely know what you’re doing at work. 😅 Not to mention, the staff are super friendly, and you can bring your pets!

🏢 Type: Café
💶 Price: Free when ordering food and/or drinks
🕐 Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 8 AM to 6 PM; Sundays, 9 AM to 6 PM
📍 Location: Andreas Bonnstraat 2, 1091 AX Amsterdam

We’re absolutely looking forward to grabbing a coffee at one of these places and procrastinating while pretending to work. Hopefully, you’ll do better. Good luck! ☕️

What are your favourite places to study or work in Amsterdam? Tell us below!

Which is the best-rated mobile service provider in the Netherlands?

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
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Which is the best-rated mobile service provider in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands’ best-rated mobile service providers are all budget service providers: Simyo, Ben, and Youfone.

New to the Netherlands and unsure which mobile service provider to use? Enter… the Consumentenbond.

Also known as the Dutch Consumers’ Association, this organisation is dedicated to identifying which tech products you ought to spend your hard-earned money on. 💸

How? By judging each provider on the quality of features like mobile calling, internet, and customer service, the Consumentenbond ranks them with a score out of 10. Here are the top three!

This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.

#1 mobile service provider in the Netherlands: Simyo

simyo-square-logo

Simyo officially takes the crown as the Consumentenbond’s top Dutch mobile service provider for 2024, with a stellar 8.5 points out of 10.

And, as the recipient of no less than 30 awards since they first topped the charts in 2013, it’s easy to see why they rank so highly for customer satisfaction.

Being a budget service provider, they’re most well-known for the sheer affordability of their packages — which start at a low €6 per month.

However, with access to KPN’s speedy, ultra-reliable mobile network, excellent customer service and a range of prepaid/SIM-only plans and mobile subscriptions with a phone that can be adjusted monthly, affordability isn’t the only reason they’ve received a provider rating of 9.8.

Sign up with Simyo

#2 mobile service provider in the Netherlands: Ben

ben-logo-mobile-phone-sim-card-network-in-the-netherlands

Nabbing second place on the list of best Dutch mobile service providers with an excellent 8.3 out of 10 is Ben, another budget provider offering high-quality mobile calling and internet.

Powered by Odido’s expansive and super-dependable mobile network, Ben ranks well for its above-average internet connectivity and speed.

These internet packages, which start at an affordable €10, can be cancelled on a monthly basis.

In addition to this, Ben also scores highly on their clear and effective customer service, nabbing a very respectable 8 points out of 10 on the Consumentenbond’s scale.

Sign up with Ben

#3 mobile service provider in the Netherlands: Youfone

youfone-logo-sim-only-provider-in-the-netherlands

Regularly named in the top three of the Consumentenbond’s list of best Dutch mobile providers, Youfone is yet another budget provider that offers you a generous bang for your buck.

Hot on their competitors’ heels, Youfone scored a superb 8.2 out of 10 to solidify their place as an exceptional provider of mobile internet.

Like Simyo, Youfone offers you access to KPN’s super-speedy and ultra-reliable mobile network for a fraction of the price of a monthly KPN subscription.

And, unlike many other budget providers, Youfone also provides 5G functionality with their SIM-only plans.

Sign up with Youfone

Have you used any of the top-rated mobile service providers in the Netherlands? Share your experiences in the comments below!

Bystanders rescue woman from icy water after car ends up in canal

Ada Dolanay
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Bystanders rescue woman from icy water after car ends up in canal

A woman was rescued by bystanders after her car ended up in a freezing canal on Monday evening in the Frisian city of Franeker. 

NOS writes that how the vehicle ended up in the water is unknown.

The nameless heroes

In this case, it wasn’t emergency service workers who jumped into the freezing canal to pull the woman to safety, but bystanders. 

Passersby acted quickly, saving her before emergency services even arrived. 

Fortunately, a quick check by ambulance staff concluded that the woman had escaped unharmed.

Meanwhile, in Amsterdam…

This happened shortly after a similar incident in the capital. On Saturday, two tourists took a break from sightseeing to pull a motorist out of the Keizergracht canal in Amsterdam’s city centre. 

READ MORE | Swimming in Amsterdam’s canals: what you need to know 

Everyone made it out of the water safely and received warm blankets from the fire department. 

Not everyone is willing to plunge into freezing canal water at this time of year, which makes us tip our hat to these brave bystanders. 

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

This part of the Netherlands can expect snow during the week

Lina Leskovec
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This part of the Netherlands can expect snow during the week

Dutch weather hasn’t been very forgiving lately (or ever), but if you love snow, we might have some good news for you. 

If you live in Limburg, that is.

Yep, those in the southeast can rejoice (or recoil) as a few centimetres of snow are expected later in the day. 

Wet snow and wetter rain

RTL reports that the Limburg hills, particularly, will see some wet snow later in the afternoon and evening. 

This will surely be a welcome change after the rain and potential hailstorm the region is experiencing this morning.

This is Dutch snow we’re talking about, though, which means the wintery blanket will only be a few centimetres, and it might not stick around for long since the weather in the coming days will be changeable. 

However, Limburg can expect more wet snow on Thursday morning, and there may be some moderate frost in the hills when the sky clears. Unfortunately, it won’t be nippy enough to get your skates out. 

Just good ol’ rain for the rest

Nevertheless, southeast residents should count their blessings; wet snow that doesn’t stick around is still better than the rain the rest of the country will be dealing with. 

Those living in other parts of the Netherlands will experience local rain and hail showers with occasional clear spells today. 

Especially the northern coastal area can expect stronger winds in the afternoon. 

Luckily, tomorrow looks more promising. It will remain dry, and we might even see some of the rarest Dutch winter commodity — sunshine!

It’s just the northern coastal area that can’t catch a break, with a chance of more rain and hail forecast in this region tomorrow. 

Are you one of the lucky ones that might see some snow these days? Let us know in the comments!

8 great windmills to visit in the Netherlands

Emma Brown
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8 great windmills to visit in the Netherlands

Windmills are one of the first things you think of when you hear the words “Holland” or “the Netherlands.” You’ll be pleased to know that the stereotype is true.

Of course, the Netherlands is more than just windmills, but it’s still a great excuse for a visit, as there’s no shortage of these iconic buildings.

So, if you’re living in the Netherlands and fancy a windmill trip, or if you’re doting on Dutch life and are coming to visit, then don’t forget to check these out! Here are eight great windmills to visit in the Netherlands.

This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.

1. Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk isn’t just one windmill, but a whole windmill park. It’s located in South Holland, and if you’re a tourist, there are many tour companies prepared to give you an all-inclusive experience.

The windmills are actually still lived in, so don’t be surprised to see someone’s underwear hanging up outside. 🩲

kinderdijk-windmills-the-netherlands
Have you ever seen a more Dutch sight? Image: Emma Brown/Supplied

Kinderdijk is not only one of the Netherlands’ 12 World Heritage sites, but also has a small museum, a cafe, and a shop. You can have a boat tour that takes you alongside the windmills, or you could walk or bike around the area.

2. Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is similar to Kinderdijk in the sense that it’s a windmill park, but Zaanse Schans is by far the most popular of the two.

There are plenty of things to do in the area, and you can actually go inside many of the windmills. Some of the buildings are also museums and shops.

photo-of-zaanse-schans-windmills-sunset-great-windmills-in-the-netherlands
Zaanse Schans is filled with different coloured windmills. Image: Pixabay

Take a bike ride around the area, enjoy a walking tour, or explore some of the local stores. It’s also easy to reach Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam.

Travel tip: Avoid peak times in the summer, as it gets very busy with all the tourists. So if you have the chance, avoid the busy times — both when it comes to times of the day and time of year. 📅

3. Molen de Valk

Molen de Valk can be found in the beautiful city of Leiden, home of DutchReview. It’s been there since the start of the 17th century, so it’s certainly one of Leiden’s greatest pride and joys.

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A view you’ll pass by on your way to the Dutch Review office. Image: Emma Brown/Supplied

The mill was originally used for grain, and now it’s a little museum, dominating the view of the lovely university town. It’s great for your Instagram, and it’s a great place to be in general.

4. The windmills of Schiedam

If you’re after impressive windmills, then Schiedam is your place. Schiedam is home to some of the tallest windmills in the whole world — up to eleven floors high!

READ MORE | 21 epic day trips from Rotterdam: the ultimate guide

The original purpose of these huge windmills was to grind grain used to produce Jenever — making the city famous for the product. You can learn all about this inside one of the windmills (De Walvisch), which has been transformed into a museum.

schiedam-windmills-the-netherlands
Here you can see one of the original 20 windmills of Schiedam, de Kameel. Image: Pixabay

5. Molen de Adriaan

Haarlem is another beautiful city sporting an iconic windmill. Molen de Adriaan has been around since the 18th century, but was completely destroyed in a storm in the 1930s.

It was later rebuilt and made into a museum that tells you about the Netherlands, windmills, and how these transformed the country.

molen-de-adriaan-haarlem-the-netherlands-windmills-in-the-netherlands
The windmill in Haarlem is hard to miss! Image: Michielverbeek/Wikimedia/CC4.0

Not only is the windmill great to check out, but Haarlem itself is beautiful and well worth a visit.

6. De Gooyer

Looking for windmills in Amsterdam? Look no further than De Gooyer, one of Amsterdam’s most famous windmills. It was built in the early 16th century, so it’s certainly old.

READ MORE | 5 of Amsterdam’s best canal cruises to float the day away

It’s not in the place where it was first built, as it has been moved around Amsterdam.

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For Amsterdam tourists with limited time on their hands, De Gooyer is the best option. Image: Swimmerguy269/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0

Nowadays, you’ll find the windmill turning on the first Saturday of the month, so it’s the perfect time to see it in action while on your Saturday morning walk.

7. De Dikkert

De Dikkert is an old sawmill, which used to be in Zaandam. Now, however, it’s a restored corn mill located in Amstelveen.

Therefore, again, if you’re around the Amsterdam area, it’s the perfect place to visit.

de-dikkert-windmill-Amstelveen-the-netherlands
This place simply screams “pancakes”! Image: Quistnix/Wikimedia Commons/CC2.5

What makes this windmill unique is that it is a restaurant, too — so if you want to be able to say you’ve eaten in an old windmill in Holland, this is your chance!🍴

8. Keukenhof windmill

The windmill in the Keukenhof Gardens is quite a stunning sight, with the burst of colour coming from the tulips.

photo-of-tulips-and-windmill-at-keukenhof-garden
Ahhh some colour to go with your windmill. Image: Depositphotos

This windmill was built in 1892 and was originally used as a polder mill. Nowadays, it is in retirement and used as an ornament.

READ MORE | 17 fabulous things to do in Delft in 2023

Hey, we wish we could retire at Keukenhof and be surrounded by bundles of flowers every day. 🤩

Visit for free on National Mill Day

A perfect time to visit windmills is on National Mill Day, which falls on the second Saturday in May every year. On this day, you can enter hundreds of different windmills for free. 🎟️

Also, it’s the day to witness all the windmills turning, so it’s certainly a unique day in the Netherlands and the perfect day to see all the windmills for yourself (if only you get around them all, that is).

So there you have it — eight great windmills to visit in the Netherlands. There are plenty more where these came from, too (we just listed our favourites, and the most popular ones, here).

See, the stereotype is true — the Netherlands really is full of windmills. 😉

Have you ever visited any of these windmills? What other Dutch windmills should we add to the list? Tell us in the comments! 

Types of mortgages in the Netherlands: Dutch ‘hypotheken’ explained

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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0
Types of mortgages in the Netherlands: Dutch ‘hypotheken’ explained

Deciding to buy a home in the Netherlands is a big step — but now you also need to decide which type of Dutch mortgage suits you best. 

That can’t be too hard, right? Of course, an annuity mortgage is the right option for you! But then a linear mortgage also has benefits — and an interest-only mortgage could save you some money, right?

Feeling lost? Geen probleem! We’ve gathered the most common Dutch mortgage types for you to consider. Let’s break them down. 👇

The two main mortgage options in the Netherlands 

Let’s start with the basics — and by that, we mean the types of mortgages most people choose. In the Netherlands, there are two main types of mortgages that most home buyers will opt for: the annuity mortgage and the linear mortgage.

The annuity mortgage (Annuïteitenhypotheek)

If you’re the type of person who enjoys the comfort of routine and repetition, then an annuity mortgage may be the choice for you. 

Why? With an annuity mortgage, you pay the exact same amount each month (unless you opt for a variable interest rate or the mortgage terms change). 

This amount will be made up of your interest plus your mortgage repayment. 

However, while the amount you pay will always remain the same, the ratio between interest and mortgage repayment will vary. 

For example: if you have an annuity mortgage of €1,200 every month, you will always pay exactly €1,200. However, one month, this €1,200 may cover 60% mortgage repayment and 40% interest. The next month, it may be 62% mortgage repayment and 38% interest. 

 

graph-of-annuities-mortgage
Struggling to picture what a Dutch annuity mortgage looks like? Perhaps this graph will help. Image: DutchReview

At the beginning of your mortgage term, most of your monthly payment will likely be the interest. 

By the end, most of the payment will go off the amount that you borrowed. 

Regardless of the ratio, you can rest easy knowing that you will be paying the exact same amount each month (unless you have opted for a mortgage term with variable interest rates). 

✅ Pros: It’s simple. There are no unpleasant surprises at the end of the month, you know how much is due.

❌ Cons: You ultimately pay more interest throughout the term of the mortgage than you would with a linear mortgage.

The linear mortgage (Lineaire hypotheek)

With a linear mortgage, you hit the ground running. This is because your monthly payments will be at their highest at the beginning of the mortgage term — however, they will gradually decrease. 

In a linear mortgage, you pay the same amount of mortgage repayment each month. This means that, unlike an annuity mortgage, the monthly mortgage repayment is fixed. 

However, the amount of interest that you pay each month will decrease as the mortgage term progresses. 

This means you pay less and less throughout the mortgage term. 

graph-showing-linear-type-dutch-mortgage
With a linear mortgage, you pay less as the mortgage term progresses. Image: DutchReview

For example, at the beginning of the mortgage term, you might have a monthly mortgage repayment of €1,200 and an interest payment of €400 — meaning you pay roughly €1,600 towards your mortgage per month. 

However, two years later, your monthly mortgage repayment will still be €1,200 but your interest will have dropped to €350 — meaning you now pay €1,550 per month. 

As more and more of your interest is paid off, the total amount you pay every month will gradually lower — handig!  

✅ Pros: The mortgage is paid off faster with a linear mortgage, meaning you are less likely to be left with residual debt should you decide to sell your home. Paying more at the start is also a good option if you see other financial burdens (like children) coming your way in the future.

❌ Cons: You benefit less from interest deductions as the mortgage term progresses, and you pay more than you would with other mortgages at the start.

Other mortgage options in the Netherlands

While annuity and linear mortgages are certainly the most popular in the Netherlands, they aren’t the only mortgage types out there. 

There are, in fact, several quirky mortgage models in the Netherlands.

Interest-only mortgage (aflossingsvrije hypotheek)

An interest-only mortgage is exactly what it says on the tin. You pay only the interest on your mortgage throughout the mortgage term (which is usually a maximum of 30 years.) 

Then, once you reach the end of the term, you hand over the entirety of the mortgage repayment. 

photo-of-married-couple-discussing-different-Dutch-mortgage-types-in-the-Netherlands
An interest-only mortgage is another Dutch mortgage type that you may consider. Image: Dreamstime

If you are unable to do this, you can opt to extend the mortgage or sell your house. 

An interest-only mortgage isn’t for everyone and lenders will usually take a good look at your file before you are granted one. 

Interest-only mortgages are often a good idea if you are looking for more financial freedom at the beginning of your mortgage. 

With interest rates relatively low at the moment (compared to 15 years ago, for example), your monthly payments would also be low.

Note: The below mortgage types still exist in the Netherlands, however, they are no longer offered to starters. Homeowners with these types of mortgages are advised to switch to either a linear, annuities, or interest-only mortgage. 

For those who already have one of these mortgage options, this is what they look like:

Bank savings mortgage (bankspaarhypotheek)

Similar to an interest-only mortgage, a bank savings mortgage allows you to set aside money for your mortgage repayments in a locked bank account.

photo-of-couple-looking-at-house-before-taking-out-Dutch-mortgage
In the Netherlands, a bank savings mortgage allows you to set aside money in a locked bank account. Image: Freepik

The account can only be used to hold money for your mortgage. Once you reach the end of your mortgage term, the mortgage repayments will be withdrawn from the account in one big, beautiful lump sum and used to pay off the mortgage.

Throughout the term of your mortgage, you only pay your mortgage interest. 

Aside from the obvious advantage of lower monthly repayments, another plus of having a bank savings mortgage is that your savings can grow tax-free. 

Life mortgage (Levenhypotheek)

With a life mortgage, you take out a life insurance policy and use this to pay off your mortgage at the end of the mortgage term.

Photo-of-couple-discussing-Dutch-mortgage-types-with-advisor
Some homeowners in the Netherlands opted for alternative Dutch mortgage types, such as a life mortgage. Image: Depositphotos

It works like this: you pay no mortgage repayments throughout the mortgage term and instead make monthly payments towards your mortgage interest and your life insurance premium. 

While you aren’t making mortgage repayments during the term, you are investing money in your life insurance policy — which consists of both a saving or investments portion and a death risk portion. This way, part of the mortgage can be repaid in case of death. 

At the end of the term, the built-up capital is used to pay the mortgage repayments. 

Luckily, you don’t need to die for that to happen — the investment is returned to the bank, and the capital gained is (hopefully) enough to cover your mortgage. 

We’ve got to admit it, the Dutch are certainly inventive.  

A hybrid mortgage (hybride hypotheek)

You can think of a hybrid mortgage as a mix of a bank savings mortgage and a life mortgage. Throughout the term of the mortgage, you only pay the interest plus a savings/investment premium.

This means that you can decide to either pay your premium into savings or investments — or you can spice it up and do both! 

Regardless of your choice, once you reach the end of the mortgage term, you will pay off the mortgage repayment (hopefully) using the accrued savings. 

Tax-deductible Dutch mortgage types

One huge pro of opting for either an annuity or linear mortgage is that the interest on both of these mortgage types is tax deductible in the Netherlands. 

This means that, as long as you meet certain conditions, you can receive back a percentage of the mortgage interest you paid when filing your income tax return.

In 2024, this amount is 36.97% of the mortgage interest paid on annuity or linear mortgages.  

Which mortgage should I consider as an international in the Netherlands? 

As an international in the Netherlands, it’s good to know that you will be offered the same options as a Dutch person who applies for a mortgage, namely: an annuities mortgage, a linear mortgage, or an interest-only mortgage. 

photo-of-man-and-woman-walking-near-Dutch-windmills-in-the-Netherlands
There are several mortgage options available to internationals in the Netherlands. Image: Dreamstime

That being said, everyone’s situation is different. As an international, it may be best to opt for either an annuities mortgage or a linear mortgage. Here’s why: 

  • Both mortgage options work for almost everyone’s circumstances, which means there’s a good chance they will work for yours too.
  • The simplicity of annuity and linear mortgages means that you are less likely to come across any unpleasant hiccups during the mortgage process — and no one needs that when it’s all happening in a different language.
  • The interest on annuities and linear mortgages is tax-deductible. This is not the case with other mortgage types.

Deciding on a mortgage in a different country can be scary at first, but remember to trust your instincts — they brought you here, didn’t they? 😉

How did you find the experience of choosing a mortgage in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!

Types of mortgages in the Netherlands: Frequently asked questions

Which Dutch mortgages are tax deductible? 

Can a non-national get a mortgage in the Netherlands? 

What is the mortgage term in the Netherlands?

What are the different Dutch mortgage types?

Dutch Quirk #38: Mush all of their dinner food (prakken)

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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Dutch Quirk #38: Mush all of their dinner food (prakken)

We admire the Dutch for a lot of things — efficiency, directness, and innovation. Their cuisine, however, isn’t one of them.

While eating lunch in the Netherlands might be a culture shock, there’s nothing quite like sitting down for a nice dinner only to discover that everyone around you is furiously mushing their food with a fork.

As you sit there wondering what’s gotten into them, rest assured that what you’re witnessing is merely a quirk that combines Dutch efficiency and culinary traditions: prakken. 

What is it?

Prakken (also known as stampen) is the action of mushing food (usually the trifecta of potatoes, meat, and cooked veggies) with a fork after it’s been served up on your plate.

It’s a common practice around the Dutch dinner table, especially during the winter months.

But while looking at a plate of brownish mush after a long day isn’t exactly what we’d call a cure for seasonal depression, the dishes typically associated with prakken are warm, hearty meals — that may just thaw your prejudices towards all the mushing.

READ MORE | Dinner in the Netherlands: traditions, dishes and restaurants

While prakken is something performed at the dinner table, stampen is done in the kitchen.

Namely by mushing together various combinations of potato, meat, and vegetables into the wintery stables of stamppot, hutspot, erwtensoep, and boerenkool.

Dutch-food-traditional-thick-erwtensoep-with-sausage
Mashed food is a common staple in Dutch cuisine! Image: Depositphotos

Why do they do it?

Is it just a sign of Dutch efficiency taking its seat at the dinner table, or are there deeper reasons behind all the mushing?

@iamnotachef

Stamppot 🇳🇱 | Meals we hated as kids Ep.6 #netherlands #dutch #stamppot

♬ original sound – Love at First Bite

It turns out that the first stamppot was described in a cookbook around 1880 (and, incidentally, Van Gogh’s work ‘The Potato Eaters’ was painted just five years later), so there is a long history behind hearty winter meals in the Netherlands.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk#4: Eat dinner ridiculously early

Prakken, however, didn’t become a widespread practice until the 1930s when the financial crisis forced hard-pressed Dutchies to eat more potatoes.

Nevertheless, what might’ve started as a way to cut the dinner budget quickly established itself as a tradition.

Now, some experts on Dutch cuisine even say that the food tastes better when you mush it all together.

Why is it quirky? 

Most people tend to eat their food as it’s served using cutlery, so the somewhat forceful show of mushing things with one fork can come as a bit of a shock to internationals.

However efficient, funny, or culinarily enhancing, it stays a quirky practice. 😂

Should you join in? 

All we have to say is don’t kick it till you’ve tried it!

What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!

This virus is filling hospitals in China: Should we be worried about it in the Netherlands?

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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This virus is filling hospitals in China: Should we be worried about it in the Netherlands?

In the last few weeks, there has been much international talk surrounding the spread of a respiratory virus called HMPV in Northern China. If this is giving you major flashbacks, you’re not the only one. 👀

To find out whether this is something we should be worried about in the Netherlands, Hans Kluge from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Dutch virologist Marion Koopmans have weighed in on the matter.

What is the HMPV virus?

As the NOS writes, HMPV stands for human metapneumovirus. This respiratory virus usually causes mild symptoms similar to those from a cold or the flu and spreads in the same ways as common diseases.

In some cases, however, HMPV can lead to more serious complications, including pneumonia. This is especially true for children, elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems.

Known by the scientific community since 2001, the virus has been circulating for years, including in the Netherlands. Currently, there is no vaccine against it.

Is it true that China’s cases are worryingly high?

Since late 2024, videos of crowded Chinese hospitals and waiting rooms have been circulating online, spreading concern that China is facing a worryingly high number of HMPV cases.

While the footage cannot be verified, on December 27, 2024, Chinese authorities did confirm that HMPV infections among children were increasing.

However, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson has stated that the total number of HMPV cases in 2024 was lower than in 2023, and that the recent rise in infections is in line with the typical winter peak exhibited by respiratory viruses.

According to WHO Europe Regional Director Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization is working closely with Chinese authorities, exchanging information and offering support in monitoring the situation.

Is HMPV spreading to the Netherlands?

According to Dutch virologist Marion Koopmans, while the lack of reliable information complicates assessing the situation in China, the Netherlands is definitely not facing an unusual or worrying situation.

“Here, GPs register the viruses that their patients are infected with. HMPV is also monitored. So far, we have not seen anything remarkable. These are diseases that we have known about for quite some time,” she tells the NOS.

She further explains that HMPV, along with more common respiratory infections such as the flu and COVID, appears every winter.

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These were the most popular Dutch baby names of 2024

Lina Leskovec
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These were the most popular Dutch baby names of 2024

Have you seen a cute baby in the streets of your Dutch city recently? Chances are they were called Noah or Emma. 

How do we know? The Dutch SVB (Social Insurance Bank) has just released its list of the most popular Dutch baby names in 2024.

Girls’ names have a new queen

According to RTL, one girl’s name has been climbing the ranks this past year. 

From her humble beginnings in fourth place in 2023, Emma is now the most popular name for Dutch baby girls. In 2024, 657 babies were given the name. 

Right behind her are Olivia, Nora, Julia, Sophie, Mila, Noor, Yara, Sara, and Zoë. Among these, Nora is also a fast climber — it was in sixth place in 2023 and third in 2024. 

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

While the fight for the top girl’s spot is more unpredictable, Dutch people have found what works for them when it comes to boys’ names. 

The most Dutch baby boys (992) were called Noah last year, making it the most popular boy’s name for the sixth time in a row. 

READ MORE | Names in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide to Dutch names

Following Noah are Luca, Lucas, Liam, Sem, Mees, Noud, Levi, James, and Adam in that order. 

There were also more boys than girls born in the Netherlands last year, 84.990 compared to 80.604, to be exact. 

Gender-neutral names the Dutch loved

Charlie was the most popular Dutch gender-neutral name of 2024. It was given to the exact same number of boys and girls (156).

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #103: Have a roepnaam to replace their top-secret official name

Robin and Sammy were also given to approximately the same number of boys and girls, although both were slightly more popular with the latter. 

What do you think of these Dutch baby names? Let us know in the comments!

New year, same Dutch weather: Code Yellow issued for heavy winds today

Ada Dolanay
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New year, same Dutch weather: Code Yellow issued for heavy winds today

The Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has issued a Code Yellow warning for heavy gusts of wind for the Netherlands today (Monday, January 6th).

Dutch weather once again proves to us that the only thing consistent about it is its inconsistency. 🙏🏼

Here’s what we know

From 12 PM onwards, the provinces of South Holland, Zeeland and Limburg will bear the brunt of the storm. 

As the day progresses, the wind will travel east, striking Friesland and Groningen until around 8 PM. 

We can expect heavy gusts of wind, with speeds reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour inland and 100 kilometres per hour by the sea. 💨

@dutchreview

I am, in fact, made of sugar 😪 #dutchreview #fyp #netherlands #biking #dutchlife #dutchstruggles #rain #lifeinNL #expatlife #regen #nederland #fietsen #dutchweather #weer #lekkerweer

♬ som original – mike

The result? According to the KNMI, this could cause chaos on the roads, especially for cyclists, trucks and cars with trailers. There is also a chance of accidents due to tree branches breaking off trees.

Today’s temperatures will reach a comforting 13 or 14 degrees Celsius in the southeast but drop in the west. 

We can also expect cloudy skies and rain (of course), which will turn harsher and less forgiving by the afternoon. 

And the rest of the week?

We hate to say it, but the bad news (and weather) continues…

Grey skies, cold temperatures and no sign of sunshine continue their reign for the rest of the week, giving us no choice but to cosy up with a warme chocomel and those fuzzy socks we got for Christmas. 🧦

What are your plans during this Dutch winter weather? Let us know in the comments below.

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