Amsterdam

Navigate Amsterdam as visitor, resident, tech worker, student, or entrepreneur with neighborhoods, transport, costs, visas, and local insights.

Security Scan

This is a self-contained, instruction-only travel/residency guide for Amsterdam whose requested resources and runtime instructions are consistent with its purpose.

Purpose & Capability

The name/description match the provided content: many Markdown files cover neighborhoods, transport, costs, visas, careers, etc. The skill requires no binaries, credentials, or config paths that would be unrelated to a city guide.

Instruction Scope

SKILL.md directs the agent to identify user context and load the relevant Markdown files. It does not instruct the agent to read system files, access environment variables, contact unexpected endpoints, or exfiltrate data. The guidance is focused and proportional to the stated purpose.

Install Mechanism

No install spec and no code files — the skill is instruction-only. Nothing will be downloaded or written to disk by an installer, which is the lowest-risk installation model.

Credentials

The skill declares no required environment variables, binaries, credentials, or config paths. There is no disproportionate request for secrets or system access relative to a guide-style skill.

Persistence & Privilege

always is false and model invocation is enabled (the platform default). The skill does not request permanent presence, system-wide configuration changes, or access to other skills' credentials.

Assessment

This skill appears to be a straightforward static guide and is low-risk to install. Before relying on it for legal/visa/tax decisions, verify time-sensitive facts (visas, tax rules, salary thresholds, rental prices) with official sources (IND, Belastingdienst, gemeente Amsterdam, employers). Note the skill's source is 'unknown' in the registry metadata — that does not make the content malicious, but if provenance matters to you check the homepage or author. Because the agent may be allowed to invoke skills autonomously by default, be aware it could answer user queries using this skill without additional prompts; that behavior is normal but you should still validate critical recommendations externally.

When to Use

User asks about Amsterdam for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data.

Quick Reference

Topic	File
Visitors
Attractions (must-see vs skip)	visitor-attractions.md
Itineraries (1/3/7 days)	visitor-itineraries.md
Where to stay	visitor-lodging.md
Tips & day trips	visitor-tips.md
Neighborhoods
Quick comparison	neighborhoods-index.md
Centrum, Jordaan, De Wallen	neighborhoods-centrum.md
De Pijp, Oud-Zuid, Rivierenbuurt	neighborhoods-south.md
Oud-West, Westerpark, Bos en Lommer	neighborhoods-west.md
Noord, Oost, IJburg	neighborhoods-east-north.md
Amstelveen, Buitenveldert, Zuidoost	neighborhoods-suburban.md
Choosing guide	neighborhoods-choosing.md
Food
Overview & dining scene	food-overview.md
Dutch & local cuisine	food-local.md
International & fine dining	food-international.md
Best areas for dining	food-areas.md
Dietary, alcohol, practical	food-practical.md
Practical
Moving & settling	resident.md
Transport (bikes, trams, trains)	transport.md
Cost of living	cost.md
Safety & laws	safety.md
Weather & survival tips	climate.md
Local services (banking, BSN)	local.md
Career
Tech industry & salaries	tech.md
Business setup & freelancing	business.md
Visas (HSM, 30% ruling, startup)	visas.md
Startups & funding	startup.md
Lifestyle
Culture & customs	culture.md
Healthcare & insurance	healthcare.md
Schools & education	education.md
Expat lifestyle & social	lifestyle.md
Cycling & transport ownership	cycling.md

Core Rules

1. Identify User Context First

• Role: Tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur
• Timeline: Short visit, planning to move, already there
• Load relevant auxiliary file for details

2. Housing Crisis Reality

Amsterdam has one of Europe's tightest housing markets:

• Social housing waitlist: 10-15+ years average
• Free sector rental: Extremely competitive, often 100+ applicants per listing
• Rent regulation: Properties <142 points = regulated (max ~EUR 880/month in 2026)
• Average rent: EUR 22-30/sqm in free sector; 1BR EUR 1,700-2,500/month See cost.md and resident.md for strategies.

3. Bike Culture (Essential)

Cycling isn't optional in Amsterdam-it's the primary transport:

• 880,000+ bikes for 900,000 residents
• 44% of all trips made by bicycle
• Bike infrastructure: Separated lanes, bike traffic lights, parking garages
• Bike theft: Very common-always use two locks
• Right of way: Bikes have priority over cars in most situations See cycling.md and transport.md for details.

4. Weather Reality

• Rain: Expect it year-round, 175 days/year with precipitation
• Mild winters: 2-8C, rarely below -5C, occasional snow
• Cool summers: 17-22C average, occasional 30C+ heatwaves
• Wind: Constant factor, especially near water
• Essentials: Waterproof jacket, rain pants, good shoes-NOT umbrella (wind) See climate.md for monthly breakdown and gear advice.

5. Current Data (Feb 2026)

Item	Range
1BR rent (Centrum)	EUR 1,800-2,800/month
1BR rent (Outside ring)	EUR 1,400-2,000/month
Senior SWE salary	EUR 80,000-130,000/year gross
GVB monthly pass	EUR 99 (Amsterdam)
Dinner for two (mid-range)	EUR 70-120
International school fees	EUR 15,000-28,000/year
Highly Skilled Migrant threshold	EUR 5,688/month (30+), EUR 4,171 (<30)

6. Cost Reality

Amsterdam has high costs but also high salaries:

• Housing: 35-50% of budget typical
• Healthcare: Mandatory insurance ~EUR 140-180/month
• Childcare: Subsidized but expensive-EUR 1,500-2,700/month gross before subsidies
• Food: Groceries 20-30% cheaper than UK/US
• Transport: Cheap if biking (most do); EUR 99/month for unlimited GVB
• Taxes: 36.97%-49.5% income tax (but 30% ruling can help)

7. Transit Excellence

Unlike most cities, Amsterdam is NOT car-centric:

• Cycling: Primary mode, extensive infrastructure
• Trams/Metro/Buses: GVB runs frequent service citywide
• Trains (NS): Excellent connections nationwide
• OV-chipkaart: Single card for all public transport in NL
• Car: Actively discouraged-parking EUR 50-80/day in center Most residents don't own cars. See transport.md and cycling.md.

8. Neighborhood Matching

Profile	Best Areas
Young professionals	De Pijp, Oud-West, Oost
Families	Oud-Zuid, Amstelveen, IJburg
Budget-conscious	Noord, Zuidoost, New West
Nightlife seekers	De Pijp, Jordaan, Centrum
Tech workers	Zuidoost (tech hub), Oost, Amstelveen
Quiet/Upscale	Oud-Zuid, Apollobuurt, Museumkwartier
Students	Oost, Noord, De Pijp

30% Ruling Changes (Critical for Expats)

The 30% ruling (tax benefit for highly skilled migrants) is being phased down:

• 2024-2026: 30% for first 20 months -> 20% for months 21-40 -> 10% for months 41-60
• Pre-2024 arrivals: May retain old 30% for full 5 years (grandfathered)
• Requirements: HSM visa, recruited from abroad, specific expertise
• Impact: Effective tax reduction of EUR 10,000-30,000/year depending on salary See visas.md for detailed eligibility and calculations.

Amsterdam-Specific Traps

• Housing scams - Never pay before viewing. Never wire money abroad. Verify landlord ownership.
• Tourist tax - EUR 3/night + 7% of room price. Budget for it.
• Bike theft - Use TWO locks (frame + wheel). Budget EUR 500+ for a decent used bike.
• Coffee vs Coffeeshop - "Coffee shop" (two words) = cafe. "Coffeeshop" (one word) = cannabis.
• Hard drugs - Illegal. Cocaine, MDMA, etc. carry serious penalties despite reputation.
• Right-hand priority - Vehicles from right have priority unless marked otherwise. Crucial for cyclists.
• Canal swimming - Legal but water quality is poor. Stick to designated swim spots.
• Tipping - Not expected. Round up or add 5-10% for exceptional service only.
• Shop hours - Many shops close at 6pm. Supermarkets: till 10pm. Sunday closures common.
• Directness - Dutch people are famously direct. It's cultural, not rude.
• Appointments - Everything requires scheduling. Don't drop by unannounced.

Legal Awareness

Key laws visitors/residents must know:

• Cannabis: Legal to buy/consume in licensed coffeeshops only. Max 5g purchase. No smoking in public.
• Magic mushrooms: Illegal since 2008. Truffles (sclerotia) are legal and sold in smart shops.
• Prostitution: Legal and regulated in designated areas (De Wallen). Photography prohibited.
• Alcohol: Legal at 18+. No public drinking in designated zones. DUI limit: 0.5% (0.2% for new drivers).
• Cycling laws: Lights required at night, no phone use, hand signals for turns.
• Photography: Legal in public, but respect red-light district rules and ask for portraits.
• Noise: Quiet hours 10pm-7am. Neighbors will complain. Dutch take this seriously.
• Airbnb: Max 30 nights/year for entire home. Registration required. Fines up to EUR 20,000.

See safety.md for comprehensive legal guidance.

LGBTQ+ Friendliness

Amsterdam is one of the world's most LGBTQ+-friendly cities:

• First country to legalize same-sex marriage (2001)
• Large queer community centered around Reguliersdwarsstraat
• Amsterdam Pride (first weekend of August) is major event
• No legal or social barriers; full acceptance in daily life
• Excellent resources, nightlife, and community organizations