Explore Netherlands | Waycarta

Netherlands

The Netherlands balances canal cities, cycling streets, and polder landscapes, all shaped by centuries of Dutch ingenuity.

Amsterdam and Rotterdam anchor a country where water management and urban design are central to daily life. Dutch is the common language, and the euro facilitates commerce across a densely populated yet laid-back landscape. From North Sea coasts to historic towns, the Netherlands rewards those curious about both tradition and progress.

At a glance

Languages

Dutch(Official)
Dutch Sign Language(Recognized)
Sinte Romani(Recognized)
Yiddish(Recognized)

Population17,100,715

CurrencyEuro (EUR)

1 EUR = 1.1404 USD

1 USD = 0.8769 EUR

Updated Jul 13, 2026, 5:56 AM UTCSource: numbeo

Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.

Cost of LivingPotentially less expensiveSource category: All | 2026

RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026

GroceriesPotentially less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026

RestaurantPotentially less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026

Local Purchasing PowerStronger local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026

Index year 2026Version 2026 Current (rolling)Source: Numbeo Cost of Living IndexVerified Jul 10, 2026, 1:17 PM UTC

Sources

Numbeo Cost of Living Index

Quality of LifeStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index

SafetyGenerally favorableSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)

HealthcareGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)

PollutionLowSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)

TrafficHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)

Index year 2026Version 2026 Current (rolling)Source: Numbeo Cost of Living IndexVerified Jul 10, 2026, 1:17 PM UTC

Sources

Numbeo Cost of Living Index

Visa and residency reference data is available for Long-Term Resident, Long-Term Resident, Long-Term Resident, and 9 more.

Long-Term Resident

Caribbean Netherlands Residence Permit
Residence-permit route for foreign nationals seeking to live in the Caribbean Netherlands under IND-BES rules.
- Renewable
Residence Permit
Sint Maarten residence-permit route administered by the local immigration department.
- Renewable
Residence Permit
Curacao residence-permit route for foreign nationals seeking admission to reside in Curacao.
- Renewable
Residence Permit
Aruba residence-permit route administered by DIMAS for foreign nationals seeking permission to reside in Aruba.
- Renewable

Work (Employer-Sponsored)

European Blue Card
EU Blue Card for highly qualified workers.
- Employer-sponsored only
- Path to residency
European Blue Card (Reduced Threshold)
EU Blue Card — reduced salary criterion.
- Employer-sponsored only
- Path to residency
Highly Skilled Migrant (30 and Over)
Highly skilled migrant permit for workers 30 and over.
- Employer-sponsored only
- Path to residency
Highly Skilled Migrant (Reduced Threshold)
Highly skilled migrant permit — reduced salary criterion.
- Employer-sponsored only
- Path to residency
Highly Skilled Migrant (Under 30)
Highly skilled migrant permit for workers under 30.
- Employer-sponsored only
- Path to residency

Family Reunification

Family Reunion / Paid Employment
Standard income requirement for family reunion and paid employment.
- Full work rights

Sources

Dutch(Official)
Dutch Sign Language(Recognized)
Sinte Romani(Recognized)
Yiddish(Recognized)
English(Regional)
Papiamento(Regional)

Sources

Country language reference

3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Netherlands.

Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in the Netherlands due to the threat of terrorism.

No destination-wide FCDO travel warning

FCDO travel advice currently has no destination-wide warning for the Netherlands. Review the full FCDO travel advice before travelling, including safety, entry, health, and insurance guidance.

Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution in the Netherlands due to terrorism. Country Summary: Terrorists continue plotting possible attacks in the Netherlands. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Sources