Berlin vs Amsterdam for Expats
Cross-border city comparison — Germany vs Netherlands — across 7 dimensions using granular city-level data.
Last updated: February 2026
Quick Verdict
- •Amsterdam is more affordable (18 points lower cost index)
- •Berlin has a more favorable climate (+7 points)
Overall, Amsterdam edges ahead on aggregate scoring, but the best choice depends on your personal priorities.
Score Comparison
Affordability index -- lower cost of living scores higher
Crime rates, safety perceptions, and neighborhood security
Hospital access, quality of care, and insurance options
School quality, university access, and language programs
Job market, co-working spaces, and remote work infrastructure
Temperature, sunshine hours, and air quality
Public transit, walkability, and ride-hailing availability
Key Metrics
| Metric | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Index | 50 | 32 |
| Safety Index | 75 | 75 |
| Healthcare Index | 88 | 85 |
| Education Index | 82 | 82 |
| Career Index | 72 | 78 |
| Climate Index | 55 | 48 |
| Transport Index | 88 | 90 |
| Air Quality Index | 70 | 62 |
| Family Index | 78 | 78 |
Price Comparison (USD)
| Item | 🇩🇪 Berlin | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent (City Centre) | $1,100/mo | $1,800/mo |
| 1-Bed Rent (Outside Centre) | $750/mo | $1,300/mo |
| Inexpensive Meal | $10 | $15 |
| Cappuccino | $3 | $4 |
| Monthly Transport Pass | $86 | $100 |
| Coworking (Monthly) | $280 | $320 |
| Internet Speed | 95 Mbps | 130 Mbps |
The Expat Vibe
🇩🇪 Berlin
The ultimate European anti-capital — cheap(er), wildly alternative, endlessly creative, and famous for its electronic music underground. English-speaking to a degree that annoys German-learners.
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
A compact, bike-obsessed, hyper-liberal city that punches far above its weight in tech, finance, and creative industries — genuinely international with near-universal English fluency.
Housing & Rentals
🇩🇪 Berlin
The 'Anmeldung' (address registration) is vital — without it you're legally invisible, can't open a bank account, or get health insurance. Securing a permanent lease requires Schufa (credit score), salary proof, and often a WBS (housing entitlement certificate). WG (shared flats) are the entry point for most arrivals.
Top neighborhoods: Kreuzberg, Neukolln, Prenzlauer Berg, Mitte, Friedrichshain, Wedding
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
One of the tightest rental markets in Europe. Social housing (70% of stock) requires years-long waitlists. Free-sector (private) rentals start at EUR 1,400+ for a small 1-bed. Kamernet and Funda are essential platforms. Beware of deposit scams on Facebook groups.
Top neighborhoods: De Pijp, Jordaan, Oud-West, Amsterdam Noord, Oost
Getting Around
🇩🇪 Berlin
U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses run 24/7 on weekends. The city is massively spread out but flat and perfect for cycling. A monthly BVG AB pass is EUR 49 (Deutschlandticket). The honor system exists but plainclothes inspectors (Kontrolleure) are ruthless.
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
Bike-first city — 800,000 bikes for 900,000 residents. GVB covers tram, bus, and metro with an OV-chipkaart. Monthly subscription is EUR 100. NS trains connect to all Dutch cities within 2.5 hours. Schiphol Airport is a 15-minute train ride.
Cost of Living Details
🇩🇪 Berlin
Still among the cheapest Western European capitals, but rising fast. A couple can live on EUR 2,500-3,500/mo. Doner kebabs (EUR 5-7) and Spati (corner shop) beers (EUR 1-2) keep daily costs low.
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
Expensive. A couple needs EUR 3,000-4,500/mo excluding rent. A beer at a 'brown cafe' costs EUR 4-6. Albert Heijn supermarkets are convenient but pricier — Lidl and Aldi are the budget play. Eating out averages EUR 15-25 per person.
Climate & Weather
🇩🇪 Berlin
Continental — cold, grey winters (-5 to 5°C, November-March) and surprisingly warm summers (25-35°C). Daylight swings dramatically: 16+ hours in June, barely 8 in December. Seasonal depression is real.
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
Maritime — mild but perpetually grey and windy. Winters are 0-7°C with occasional snow. Summers are pleasant (18-25°C) with long daylight. Rain is frequent but light. Wind is the defining weather feature.
Food & Dining
🇩🇪 Berlin
Mustafa's Gemuse Kebap in Kreuzberg has legendary queues for a reason. Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg hosts Street Food Thursday. Curry 36 for currywurst. Turkish breakfast in Neukolln (try Roamers or Five Elephant for third-wave coffee). Berlin's Vietnamese food scene is exceptional — Monsieur Vuong or Co Chu.
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
Albert Cuyp Market in De Pijp for stroopwafels, raw herring, and kibbeling. FEBO's automatiek (vending machine croquettes) is a guilty pleasure. Foodhallen in Oud-West for upmarket street food. Indonesian rijsttafel is the defining Dutch-colonial food experience — try Blauw or Kantjil de Tijger.
Insider Tips
🇩🇪 Berlin
Open a bank account with N26 or Commerzbank immediately — you need a German IBAN for almost everything. The Burgeramt (registration office) has insane wait times; book your Anmeldung appointment online the moment you have an address, or try walk-in slots at suburban offices (Reinickendorf, Spandau) where queues are shorter.
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
Register at the municipality (gemeente) within 5 days of arrival to get your BSN (citizen service number) — you literally cannot open a bank account, get insurance, or receive salary without it. Book the appointment before you arrive as slots fill up weeks in advance.
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