Although the official language is Dutch, almost 95% of the population speaks English. Therefore, not knowing Dutch isn't an issue! Learning Dutch is difficult because the Dutch people are eager to speak English. There isn't a language barrier, and this makes life more comfortable for those coming from another country.
Yes! English is very widely spoken in Amsterdam and in the Netherlands as a whole. It might surprise you to know that not only do they speak English in Amsterdam, but more than 90% of the population can actually speak it fluently at the level of a native speaker. So, language barriers aren't too common!
Yes, you can live in the Netherlands with only speaking English. Although English is not the country's official language, most people widely speak and understand it. If you're planning to stay longer, learning some basic Dutch phrases would be beneficial to communicate better with locals.
Language spoken in Amsterdam: English
Although it is not an official language, in Amsterdam - and in the Netherlands more generally - there are many Dutch people who speak English (90% of the population) at a level practically equal to that of a native speaker.
Inclusive and welcoming culture
In general, the Dutch are welcoming to foreigners and make an effort to engage newcomers into the community. They are known for their egalitarianism and are a fairly liberal society. Expats moving to the Netherlands will have plenty of opportunity to meet people in the Netherlands.
If you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, you may need a residence permit. In many cases you will also have to apply for a long-stay visa before you travel to the Netherlands.
This is absolutely no problem. You can stay here for as long as your tourist visa lasts without having to learn Dutch. And if you speak English, you will find that many Netherlanders speak English as a second language. But if you want to live in the Netherlands, you must learn Dutch.
Of course! There are a lot of jobs in Amsterdam where you can work without speaking Dutch. Most of the jobs require you to speak English though. You can check out all the vacancies in Amsterdam or even make a vacancy alert to get all the new jobs directly in your inbox.
It's not impossible to live here without knowing Dutch, in fact it's quite doable. You can do your groceries, go shopping and make international friends. You can also speak and do business with your colleagues since many international companies use English as the main language to communicate.
If you want to say hi in Dutch, you would simply say “hoi”. The more formal hello is “hallo”. Regional varieties of “hi” include “heuj”, “alo” and “huijj” but sticking to “hoi” or “hallo” is generally all you need.
At first, Dutch might seem like a very difficult language, but it's surprisingly easy for English- and German-speakers. Dutch has even been described as a combination of the English and German languages! This makes it one of the easiest languages to learn for speakers of either language.
The Dutch language is part of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family, just like English. This means that the two languages share the same roots and have similar characteristics, making it easier for Dutch speakers to learn English.
Amsterdam now ranks consistently highly in international cost-of-living indexes. Property prices have soared, as have other costs such as food and transport, all amplified by the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
Dutch people are usually very open, friendly and welcoming. In the Netherlands, only parents and children live together. In general, they do not live with grandparents, aunts, and uncles. During meals, Dutch families usually share their adventures of the day.
You can apply for a Dutch working holiday visa to live and work in The Netherlands for up to 12 months! With this visa, you can also leave & re-enter the Netherlands as many times as you like during the year and travel to other parts of Europe for up to 90 out of every 180 days.
For the period 2022-2025 it is projected to be €41,000. There is a national minimum wage in the Netherlands which is updated twice a year. As of January 2023 this is set as €1,934.40 gross monthly (€23,213 per year) for people aged 21 or over. There are lower minimum wage levels for those aged 15-21.
Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands and the mother tongue of the Dutch people. So yes, then learning Dutch is really useful.
The official website for the airport states that English is spoken, but many people who have traveled through the airport report that they had difficulty finding someone who could speak English. This is likely because the airport is located in the Netherlands, where Dutch is the primary language.
The average cost of living in Australia ($2104) is 18% more expensive than in the Netherlands ($1780). Australia ranked 11th vs 19th for the Netherlands in the list of the most expensive countries in the world.
Holders of Australian State and Territory Driving Licences may be required, during a driving-licence check, to produce an International Driving Permit in addition to their licence. To obtain an International Driving Permit please contact the relevant IDP authority in your state.
The short answer is yes. The Netherlands does not place any restrictions on the purchase of property by foreigners, whether resident or non-resident.
July and August are the warmest months in Amsterdam, and on average the temperature reaches 22 °C. Summer is arguably the best season to visit for a relaxing break, as the hot sun and mild breezes are perfect weather conditions.
There's no such thing as an entrance fee, as the area is publicly accessible. The sex workers are free to set their own prices, based on the clients wishes. However, to give you an indication; in most brothels, the tariffs start at €50,- for a short (10-15 minutes), basic service.