Finance and Money Matters in Amsterdam - Guide for Expats

Best Savings Account Rates in the Netherlands (September 2026)

AmsTips — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 07:00:22 +0000

Looking for the best savings account rates in the Netherlands (spaarrente Nederland)? Below we compare the highest interest savings accounts – including flexible savings and fixed-term deposits.

All accounts mentioned are protected by the EU deposit guarantee.

Savings interest rates in the Netherlands have been quite volatile over the last few years. After years of extremely low yields, rates were increased significantly but are now on the way back down again.

When you account for surging inflation (which has been running between 3% and 15%) and box 3 wealth tax (about 1%) the reality is that you likely face negative real returns on your money.

Below we give an overview of the:

top Dutch savings accounts
best standard savings account rates in the Netherlands
best 1 year fixed rate deposit accounts in the Netherlands
best 2 year fixed rate deposit accounts in the Netherlands

If your savings are parked in one of the big 3 banks (ABN Amro, ING and Rabobank) then at least consider securing a better rate elsewhere.

Rates updated weekly – latest check: 30 Aug 2026

Best Variable Savings Account Rates Netherlands

Bank Account	Interest Rate
Avarda Bank via Raisin +3.05% bonus	2.20%	Open Account
Nordax Bank via Raisin +3.05% bonus	2.19%	Open Account
Bigbank Flexibel Sparen +2.75% bonus	2.00%	Open Account
Klarna Flex Rekening	1.95%	Open Account
Anadolubank Smart Savings	1.90%
Argenta Spaarrekening	1.90%
Ayvens Bank Flexibel Sparen	1.85%
DHB Bank S@veOnlinerekening	1.85%
Openbank Open Spaarrekening	1.80%
Yapi-Kredi Euro-Plus Savings	1.80%
Garanti BBVA Bank Gouden Internet Rekening	1.55%
NIBC Direct Spaarrekening	1.55%
bunq Savings 3.01% bonus rate	1.51%	Open Account
Lloyds Bank Internet Spaarrekening	1.50%
Rabobank Rabo SpaarRekening	up to 1.50%
ABN AMRO Direct Sparen	up to 1.45%	Open Account
ASN Bank Ideaalsparen	up to 1.30%
Nationale Nederlanden Internetsparen	up to 1.30%
KNAB Flexibel Sparen	1.25%
ING Bank Oranje Spaarrekening	up to 1.25%
Triodos Bank Internet Sparen	up to 1.15%
N26 Instant Savings 1.50% – new Metal accounts	0.30%	Open Account

These are variable interest rates and can change at any time.

Flags denote country of deposit guarantee with links to info from the respective finance authorities:

Netherlands Austria Belgium Estonia
France Germany Latvia Lithuania Portugal
Spain Sweden

Banks registered in the EU will have deposits covered by €100,000 (or equivalent).

For slightly higher rates you may choose to tie your money up for a fixed amount of time with ‘deposito’ accounts. Note that some term accounts require a minimum investment.

Here is an overview of 1 year (12 months) accounts:

Best 1 Year Fixed Rate Accounts in the Netherlands 2026

Bank Account 1yr	Interest Rate
Mano Bank via Raisin min €20,000	3.41%	Open account
BluOr Bank (& others) via Raisin min €10,000 (others €20,000)	3.40%	Open account
Yapi-Kredi Euro-Plus Deposit	3.10%
Bigbank Deposito min €1,000	3.00%	Open account
Klarna Vaste Rekening No min deposit	3.00%	Open account
Garanti BBVA Bank Gouden Termijn Deposito	2.85%
Anadolubank Time Deposit	2.80%
Argenta Termijndeposito	2.70%
DHB Bank MaxiSpaarrekening	2.55%
NIBC Direct Termijndeposito	2.50%
Ayvens Bank Deposito sparen	2.45%
bunq Termijndeposito	2.11%	Open account
Nationale Nederlanden Depositosparen	2.00%
Triodos Bank Spaar Deposito	2.00%
KNAB Deposito sparen	1.80%

Here is an overview of 2 year (24 months) high yield accounts:

Best 2 Year Fixed Rate Accounts in the Netherlands 2026

Bank Account 2yrs	Interest Rate
BluOr Bank via Raisin min €10,000	3.45%	Open account
Mano Bank via Raisin min €20,000	3.41%	Open account
Yapi-Kredi Euro-Plus Deposit	3.10%
Klarna Vaste Rekening No min deposit	3.05%	Open account
Argenta Termijndeposito	3.00%
Bigbank Deposito min €1,000	3.00%	Open account
Anadolubank Time Deposit	2.90%
Garanti BBVA Bank Gouden Termijn Deposito	2.85%
DHB Bank MaxiSpaarrekening	2.75%
Ayvens Bank Deposito sparen	2.55%
NIBC Direct Termijndeposito	2.41%
Nationale Nederlanden Depositosparen	2.10%
Triodos Bank Spaar Deposito	2.05%
bunq Termijndeposito	1.91%	Open account
KNAB Deposito sparen	1.90%

Are foreign EU banks safe?

You may have noted the presence of some foreign banks in the Netherlands listings above. All are covered by the EU deposit scheme.

The Turkish banks Anadolubank, DHB Bank (Demir-Halk Bank), Garanti BBVA Bank and Yapi-Kredi are all registered in the Netherlands and are covered by the Dutch deposit guarantee.
Argenta is an independent bank from Belgium.
Lloyds Bank is from the UK but its Dutch business is registered in Germany.
Openbank is part of the Santander Group in Spain.
Klarna is a well known Swedish financial services firm.
Raisin is an international portal based in Germany which offers free access to high-rate savings and fixed term accounts across the EU. Deposit guarantee depends on location of partner bank.
N26 is an app-based bank from Germany with free and paid accounts.
Bigbank is an Estonian financial institution involved in consumer credit with an online presence in the Netherlands.
KNAB is a Dutch digital bank which is now owned by Austrian BAWAG Group and is covered by the Austrian deposit guarantee.

The following are Dutch banks headquartered in the Netherlands: ABN AMRO, ASN Bank, Ayvens Bank, bunq, ING Bank, Nationale Nederlanden, NIBC Direct, Rabobank and Triodos Bank. See our guide How to Open a Dutch bank account

Netherlands Interest Rates

Netherlands is in the Eurozone and uses the euro (€) as its currency.

The European Central Bank (ECB) sets interest rates across the entire eurozone. Netherlands interest rates are therefore set by the ECB.

There are 2 key rates:

Deposit Rate (banks use this to make overnight deposits with the ECB)
Base rate (also called Main refinancing operations, a higher rate where banks can borrow funds from the ECB on a weekly basis)

Current ECB rate

The current ECB rates stand at 2.40% (base rate) and 2.25% (deposit rate). Source: ECB

Following the 2007-8 financial crisis Eurozone interest rates were reduced to practically 0%
The deposit rate was actually negative between 2014-2022
Interest rates rose in 2022-23 with the deposit rate peaking at 4.00%
Interest rates were cut 7 times during 2024-45 down to 2.00% (deposit rate)
Rates were raised 25 basis points on 17 June 2026

De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) is the national central bank for the Netherlands within the Eurosystem. It is headquartered in Amsterdam and manages the the Dutch deposit guarantee scheme.

When the guilder was replaced by the Euro in 2002 the DNB stopped setting interest rates in the Netherlands.

How to Choose a Savings Account in the Netherlands

Choosing the best savings account in the Netherlands depends on your goals, flexibility needs and risk preferences. Here are a few key factors:

1. Variable vs Fixed Interest Rates

Variable savings accounts (spaarrekening or flexibel sparen) offer the most flexibility and you can generally withdraw your money at any time. However the underlying rate can change.

Fixed-term deposits (deposito) on the other hand offers a fixed higher interest rate, but your money is locked in for a set period (e.g. 1 or 2 years). Interest rates are usually higher for longer dated terms, however the yield curve flattens out after about 2 years.

If you think you may need access to your funds, a variable account is usually the better choice.

2. Interest Rate (and Bonus Rates)

Some banks offer introductory bonus rates for new customers but note these typically last only a few months. Make sure to check the standard rate after the bonus period ends as your rate could fall significantly.

3. Deposit Guarantee Scheme (Safety)

As we have seen, savings in the Netherlands and across the EU are protected under the
Deposit Guarantee Scheme. This covers up to €100,000 per bank (or banking group) per person. De Nederlandsche Bank manages this facility in the Netherlands.

4. Foreign vs Dutch Banks

Many of the highest savings rates in the Dutch market come from foreign EU banks. These are generally run via online platforms such as Raisin and there may be no physical branches in the Netherlands. Customer service could be international rather than local.

5. Minimum Deposits & Withdrawal Conditions

Some accounts require a minimum deposit – for example Bigbank requires €1,000 minimum for a fixed rate account. Some accounts may have restrictions on withdrawals so always check the terms before opening an account.

6. Taxes on Savings (Box 3)

Assets and savings in the Netherlands are subject to ‘Box 3’ reporting on tax returns. Any assets are taxed on assumed returns, not on the actual interest earned. See more on taxation in the Netherlands

7. Ease of Use & Access

You should also consider some practical factors such as whether there is an English-language interface, how quickly accounts can be opened, what are the ID requirements, how easy it is to deposit or withdraw funds. Neobanks like bunq and N26 offer an app-based banking ecosystem.

Banks using English portals for Netherlands customers are: ABN Amro, Anadolubank, bunq, N26 and Yapi Kredi.

Choosing a higher rate savings account is one aspect of managing your finances. If you need flexibility choose a variable account. If you seek high returns then consider foreign banks like Raisin or fixed deposit rates.

Savings Accounts Dutch Glossary

sparen – savings
spaarrekening – savings account
rente – interest rate
deposito – fixed term deposit
depositogarantie / stortinggarantie – deposit guarantee

This page is for information purposes only, we are not offering any financial advice. Interest rates in tables are listed in order (highest to lowest) – any equal rates are listed in alphabetical order of bank name.

We try to present accurate info but as ever products and interest rates can change at any time beyond our control.

Last checked and updated 30 August 2026.

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

The post Best Savings Account Rates in the Netherlands (September 2026) appeared first on AmsterdamTips.com.

Cost of Living Amsterdam – Price Listing (2026)

AmsTips — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 08:00:27 +0000

The following tables list prices (in euros) of various items and commodities for sale in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This price list should be of use to both tourists and any potential expats considering a move to the Netherlands.

Note, some figures should only be taken as a guideline – prices can vary and are subject to change. As with elsewhere in the world, inflation has been significantly high of late in the Netherlands.

Cost of Eating and Drinking Out in Amsterdam

Prices for meals out vary considerably in Amsterdam and range from the budget fast-food places, cheap eetcafé-style restaurants to the more upscale establishments.

Drinks prices are generally consistent overall although higher prices can be found at either “tourist traps” or trendier bars and clubs. The Dutch are not great tippers, however a small tip is always appreciated by your server.

Coffee and Sandwich at Bijenkorf Kitchen Amsterdam

Friet (chips)	€4.00-€7.00
Big Mac (McDonalds)	€7.80
Sandwich/Bagel (cafe)	€7.00-€17.00
Main Course Meal (standard eetcafe)	€15-35
Meal+Wine+Dessert (per person)	€40-€100
Draft Beer (250ml)	€4.00-€6.20
House Wine (glass)	€6.00-€9.00
Aperol Spritz	€11
Mineral Water/Soft Drink (glass)	€3.50-€5.00
Espresso	€3.50-€4.50
Cappuccino/Latte/Flat White	€4.00-€5.50
Starbucks Caffe Latte Grande	€5.50
Tea (cup)	€3.50-€4.50

Cost of Travel in Amsterdam

Public transport in Amsterdam and Netherlands is normally quite reliable and offers reasonable value. Of late, fuel prices have reached near record levels.

Taxi in Amsterdam

Train Ticket Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport	from €5.50
Train Ticket Amsterdam to The Hague	€15.30
1 hour public transport ticket	€3.40
1 day Amsterdam public transport ticket	€10
Ferry ride on the IJ (GVB)	Free
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (3 days)	€44
Annual Train 40% Discount Card	€76.20
Taxi Fare in Amsterdam	€15-€35
Taxi Fare (Schiphol Airport to City)	€50-€80
Petrol (Euro95) 1 Litre	€2.10-€2.50
Diesel 1 Litre	€2.10-€2.60
Bike Rental (1 day)	€13-€20
Car Parking (per hour, inner centre)	€8.05

Cost of Miscellaneous Items in Amsterdam

Cultural activities such as the theatre and museums are not that cheap although there are some free concerts and festivals.

Expats should consider investing in the Museum Card which gives unlimited free entry to 400 museums over the whole year.

Rijksmuseum

Stamp for Netherlands (0-20g)	€1.40
Stamp for international destinations (0-20g)	€2.11
Haircut (Male)	from €25
Haircut (Female)	from €40
Cinema Ticket (Standard)	€14.50
Theatre Ticket	from €25
Night Club Entry	€5-€20
Museum/Attraction Admission	€5-€30
Annual Museumkaart	€75
I Amsterdam City Card (5 days)	€140
Hotel Room – good standard (per night)	from €150

Cost of Utilities for Living in Amsterdam

From mandatory health insurance for residents to utility bills and telecom charges.

Internet 200Mb/s (monthly)	€42
Sim only 60GB + unlimited mins/SMS at lycamobile.nl	€14.50
Apple iPhone 17 256GB 30GB data (monthly)	€37
Electricity & Gas (monthly)	€120-€300
Water (monthly)	€35-€60
Household Refuse Tax (monthly)	€29-€39
Internet + TV Package (monthly)	from €60
Netflix Netherlands	€10-€21
Amazon Prime Netherlands	€5
Basic Health Insurance (monthly)	€150-€200
Cleaner (hourly)	€25-€35

Cost of Education/Childcare

Childcare in the Netherlands is expensive, although you may be able to get a rebate from the tax system, depending on your income. International schools can charge hefty tuition fees, whilst local primary and secondary schools are tuition-free.

Childcare (1 child x 1 day per week, monthly cost)	€380
International School (annual tuition fee)	€5,000-€30,000
University (statutory tuition fee – EU/EEA students)	€2,694

Cost of Flat/House Rental in Amsterdam

Renting a flat or house in Amsterdam is likely to be your biggest monthly outgoing. Prices range from cheaper flat shares, social housing (you will either have to wait some years on the list, have a Dutch partner renting one or be lucky to find a sublet) to more expensive properties on the private rental market.

Houses in Amsterdam

Social Housing (monthly)	up to €933
Room/Studio (monthly)	€450-€2,500
1 Bed Apartment (monthly)	€1,200-€4,000
2 Bed Apartment (monthly)	€1,500-€6,000
2-4 Bed House (monthly)	€2,500-€9,000

Renthunter is a subscription-based search bot that scans over 1,000 local housing sites covering virtually all rental properties in the Netherlands.

(source: Renthunter)

You sign up and enter your desired housing search parameters and when a suitable house/flat comes on the market you immediately get notified by WhatsApp and email.

This article was originally published in 2010. Last updated 21 August 2026.

The post Cost of Living Amsterdam – Price Listing (2026) appeared first on AmsterdamTips.com.

American Express Cards in the Netherlands (Complete Guide)

AmsTips — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 08:00:30 +0000

American Express (AMEX) is present in the Netherlands and has a number of charge cards available for Dutch residents. Whilst American Express cards are not as widely used in Europe, their acceptance has slowly been growing.

In this article we will feature all American Express cards in the Netherlands. We will broadly split them between the standard AMEX cards which earn Membership Rewards and the Flying Blue cards.

Membership Rewards is the in-house points program from American Express which can be transferred to other airline and hotel partners. Flying Blue is the frequent flyer program of Air France-KLM.

This overview may help you decide which is the best American Express card in the Netherlands for your own situation.

American Express Membership Rewards Cards in the Netherlands

The following table summarises the top 3 of the 4 classic American Express cards available in the Netherlands which earn Membership Rewards points. We will describe the benefits of all 4 cards in more detail below.

Best Travel Benefits	Best Mid-Range Card	Best Value

American Express Platinum Metal Card	American Express Gold Card	American Express Green Card
€780 per year	€240 per year	€78 per year
–	–	FREE first year
1 point per €1	1 point per €1	1 point per €1
Apply here	Apply here	Apply here

American Express Platinum Metal Card

Best Travel Benefits

The Platinum Metal Card costs €65 per month which is €780 annually. Apply for the American Express Platinum Card here

This is a high-end card used by many frequent flyers and travel ‘professionals’ – see our full Amex Platinum Card review here

It offers fully comprehensive travel insurance for the cardholder and family and all supplementary card holders. This includes baggage delay, cancellation, travel accident and full car hire insurance.

Note, the supplementary Platinum card is now charged at €10 per month extra.

POINTS EARNING: The Platinum Card earns the standard 1 Membership Rewards point for every €1 spent on the card.

AMEX Platinum Card Lounge Access

The card comes with a raft of travel benefits. The cardholder and main supplementary cardholder will each receive a special Priority Pass membership.

This allows free entry into one of 1,550 airport lounges worldwide and 1 free guest is allowed per card (unlike the usual Priority Pass membership which you have to pay for any guests). Thus with 2 Platinum cards a group of 4 people could all get free access into a lounge.

If you were to purchase Priority Pass ‘Prestige’ membership separately it would cost €459 per person and you would pay €30 each time for any guests.

The Platinum Card will also get you direct entry into the high-end American Express Centurion lounges (mainly in the US plus Hong Kong/Sydney/Melbourne/London Heathrow T3/Stockholm).

Amex will open a Centurion lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol in 2026.

American Express lounge network worldwide

You can also get access to Plaza Premium lounges worldwide (with 1 guest allowed) – this includes lounges at Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Frankfurt, Geneva, Helsinki, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Rome, Stockholm and Zurich.

Access is granted to Delta Sky Club lounges (no free guests) when flying on Delta Air Lines.

Platinum Card holders can also access select Lufthansa lounges (no free guests) if flying on LH Group airlines Lufthansa, SWISS or Austrian. Economy flyers get access to Lufthansa Business Lounge; business class flyers can access the Lufthansa Senator Lounge.

The combined lounge access possibilities with the Platinum card is valued at over €500 per year.

At Schiphol airport Amsterdam, Platinum cardholders get a light freshly prepared meal (Loungebox on the go) at the GRAB&FLY outlets on presentation of your card and boarding pass. There are also outlets at Rotterdam-The Hague and Brussels airports. (Note: limits apply)

Grab & Fly outlet at Schiphol airport

A complimentary Privium Plus membership (normally €320) is given which includes fast-track security and border control (by iris scan) at Amsterdam Schiphol, business class check-in at selected airlines, use of the 3 Privium lounges and the Privium parking garage.

There is also a Privium lounge at Eindhoven airport.

Privium Lounge at Amsterdam

Supplementary cardholders can make use of a free Privium Partner membership (normally €185).

Other AMEX Platinum Card perks

The Platinum Card gives instant status in a number of hotel schemes:

Radisson Rewards Premium status
Hilton Honors Gold status (which includes free continental breakfast at all Hilton hotels)
MeliáRewards Gold status (includes 3 vouchers for 20% off a stay)
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status

For car rentals you get Avis Preferred and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status which gives a discount up to 15%.

You also get free room upgrades and privileges when booking 4 and 5 star hotels with the Fine Hotels & Resorts program, The Hotel Collection and The Vacation Collection.

Cardholders can get priority booking to special events and exclusive experiences.

Platinum cardholders get a 2-course lunch or dinner for 2 (valued at €50 per person) at selected restaurants in the Benelux – 3 times a year, so total value is €300.

In addition, 1 supplementary Platinum Card (€10 per month) and 4 supplementary Green Cards can be taken out for family or friends.

American Express quote the total value of the average annual benefits at over €2,400. We rate this the top travel credit card in the Netherlands

You now only require a minimum gross income of €30,000 per year – this used to be €60,000 per year – which means the card is open to many more people.

You can apply for the American Express Platinum Card here

Though expensive, if you travel extensively and make use of the card features you could find excellent value and benefits from the card.

Comprehensive lounge access with free guest
Full travel and car hire insurance
Privium Plus at Amsterdam Schiphol & Eindhoven
€300 Dining credit

Relatively expensive

Platinum Card – Apply here

American Express Gold Card

Best Mid-Range Card

The Gold Card costs €20 per month which is €240 annually. Apply for the American Express Gold Card here

It offers comprehensive travel insurance for the cardholder and family if paying for your travel or stay with the card.

See our Amex Gold Card review here

POINTS EARNING: You can earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every €1 spent on the card. There are currently no bonus points for applying.

AMEX Gold Card benefits

Other benefits include 4 free airport lounge passes each membership year via Priority Pass to enter into one of 1,400 airport lounges worldwide. This includes the Aspire lounges at Amsterdam Schiphol and in the UK.

At Schiphol airport Amsterdam, Gold cardholders get a light freshly prepared meal (Loungebox on the go) at the GRAB&FLY outlets on presentation of your card and boarding pass (limits apply).

You get €100 ‘Dining for 2’ credit each year at a selection of restaurants in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

In addition, 4 supplementary Green Cards can be taken out free of charge for family or friends.

American Express quote the total value of the average annual benefits at over €800.

You do require a minimum gross income of €20,000 per year.

Apply for the American Express Gold Card here

If you travel every now and again this could be a worthwhile mid-range card, with its travel insurance coverage and 4 lounge passes. And if you can make use of the dining credit.

4 Lounge passes
Travel insurance coverage
€100 Dining credit

No current bonus points

Gold Card – Apply here

American Express Green Card

Best Value

The Green Card costs €6.50 per month (€78 annually) though the first year is free.

It offers some basic travel insurance (accident and missed departures) if paying for your travel or stay with the card.

POINTS EARNING: It has the same earning rate as the Platinum and Gold cards, earning 1 Membership Rewards point for every €1 spent on the card. There are currently no bonus points on offer for applying.

In addition, 2 supplementary Green Cards can be taken out free of charge for family or friends.

You do require a minimum gross income of €20,000 per year. Apply for the American Express Green Card here

With the 1:1 points earning rate and fee-free first year, makes the Green Card a great introductory choice for an Amex card. However, if you require more travel benefits then consider the Platinum or Gold card.

Basic travel insurance
Free first year
1 Membership Reward point per 1 spend

No current bonus points
No lounge access or dining benefits

Green Card – Apply here

American Express Blue Card

The Blue Card is the basic budget entry card from American Express. The card costs €35 annually – however it is free if you spend €3,000 annually on the card.

It offers some basic travel accident insurance if paying for your travel or stay with the card.

Note, it only earns 1 Membership Rewards point for every €2 spent on the card which is half the rate of the Green and Gold Cards. If you are looking to rack up points from spending then consider one of the other cards. There are no bonus points awarded for taking the Blue card.

In addition, 2 supplementary Blue Cards can be taken out free of charge for family or friends. You do require a minimum gross income of €20,000 per year.

Since the Green card is free the first year and has a higher points earning rate we would probably recommend that card over the Blue card.

American Express Membership Rewards – Transfer Partners

The great feature about the Amex Membership Rewards program is the flexibility to transfer points to a number of airline and hotel transfer partners.

It is currently possible for Dutch-based Membership Rewards cardholders to transfer their MR points into points/miles of 7 frequent flyer programs and 3 hotel programs. Note, the partners and transfer rates are slightly different for Netherlands American Express cards compared to UK and US cards.

Partner	Transfer Rate	Transfer Time	Minimum Transfer
Air France-KLM Flying Blue	5 : 4 Miles	3-10 days	625 MR points
British Airways Club	5 : 4 Avios	1 day	1,000 MR points
Cathay Asia Miles	5 : 4 Miles	7-10 days	1,000 MR points
Delta SkyMiles	3 : 1 SkyMile	4-10 days	3 MR points
Iberia Club	3 : 2 Avios	1 day	800 MR points
SAS EuroBonus	3 : 2 points	4-10 days	1,200 MR points
Singapore Airlines KrisFLyer	5 : 4 miles	up to 15 days	1,600 MR points
Hilton Honors	1 : 1 point	4-10 days	100 MR points
Marriott Bonvoy	1 : 1 point	4-10 days	100 MR points
Radisson Rewards	1 : 2 points	4-10 days	2 MR points

As an example, if you wanted 40,000 Avios you would need 50,000 MR points for a British Airways transfer but a higher 60,000 MR points for Iberia.

American Express Flying Blue Cards in Netherlands

With KLM being the national airline based in Amsterdam you may find yourself flying regularly on Air France-KLM, Delta and other Skyteam partners. The following table overviews the 4 American Express Flying Blue cards available to Dutch residents.

If you are not already a member of the Flying Blue program, applying for one of the cards will automatically enroll you.

The following table summarises the top 3 of the 4 American Express Flying Blue cards available in the Netherlands which earn Flying Blue miles. We will describe the benefits of all 4 cards in more detail below.


American Express Flying Blue Platinum Card	American Express Flying Blue Gold Card	American Express Flying Blue Silver Card
€660 per year	€198 per year	€75 per year
–	–	FREE first year
10,000 bonus Miles*	5,000 bonus Miles*	2,500 bonus Miles*
1.5 Miles per €1	1 Mile per €1	0.8 Mile per €1
Apply here	Apply here	Apply here

*Bonus miles are given in month 7 (50%) and month 13 (50%) of your membership – if you use your card monthly.

American Express Flying Blue Platinum Card

The top-of-the-range Flying Blue Platinum Card costs €55 per month which is €660 per year. Apply for the American Express Flying Blue Platinum Card here

It offers fully comprehensive travel insurance for the cardholder and family if paying for your travel or stay with the card. This includes the car hire insurance.

POINTS EARNING: It earns 1.5 Flying Blue Miles for every €1 spent on the card. You earn 2 Flying Blue miles per €1 spent with KLM, Air France and Hertz.

There is a 10,000 Miles welcome bonus*.

By keeping the card your Flying Blue miles will not expire, even if you are not flying for a period of time.

10000 miles is the starting rate for a return economy flight from Amsterdam to London.

You get 60 free XP points which go towards attaining elite status in the Flying Blue program. The first elite tier (Flying Blue Silver) requires 100 XP in 12 months.

In addition, up to 1 supplementary Flying Blue Platinum card and up to 4 Flying Blue Gold cards can be taken out free of charge for family or friends.

One of the main features of the card is if you already have Platinum status with Flying Blue you can also give the Platinum status to your supplementary Platinum cardholder.

You require a gross annual income of €30,000.

You can apply for the American Express Flying Blue Platinum Card here

Highest welcome bonus on any Dutch card
Full travel and car hire insurance
Higher Flying Blue Miles earn rate
60XP status points

Tied to Flying Blue, Membership Rewards cards are more flexible
Relatively expensive

Flying Blue Platinum Card – Apply here

American Express Flying Blue Gold Card

The Flying Blue Gold Card costs €16.50 per month or €198 per year.

It offers comprehensive travel insurance for the cardholder and family if paying for your travel or stay with the card.

POINTS EARNING: It earns 1 Flying Blue mile for every €1 spent on the card. You earn 1.5 Flying Blue mile per €1 spent with KLM, Air France and Hertz.

There is a 5,000 miles welcome bonus*.

Also, by keeping the card your Flying Blue miles will not expire, even if you are not flying for a period of time.

You get 30 free XP points which go towards attaining elite status in the Flying Blue program.

In addition, up to 2 supplementary Gold cards can be taken out free of charge for family or friends.

You require a gross annual income of €20,000.

Apply for the American Express Flying Blue Gold Card here

5,000 welcome bonus Miles
Travel insurance coverage
Solid Flying Blue Miles earn rate
30XP status points

Tied to Flying Blue, Membership Rewards cards are more flexible

Flying Blue Gold Card – Apply here

American Express Flying Blue Silver Card

The Flying Blue Silver Card costs €6.25 per month (€75 per year) – though the first year is free.

It offers some basic travel insurance (accident and missed departures) if paying for your travel or stay with the card.

POINTS EARNING: It earns a slightly lower 0.8 Flying Blue miles for every €1 spent on the card. You earn 1 Flying Blue miles per €1 spent with KLM, Air France and Hertz.

There is a 2,500 miles welcome bonus*

Also, by keeping the card your Flying Blue miles will not expire, even if you are not flying for a period of time.

You get 15 free XP points which go towards attaining elite status in the Flying Blue program.

In addition, up to 2 supplementary Silver cards can be taken out free of charge for family or friends.

You require a gross annual income of €20,000.

Apply for the Flying Blue Silver Card here

2,500 welcome bonus Miles
Free first year
15XP status points

Tied to Flying Blue, Membership Rewards cards are more flexible

Flying Blue Silver Card – Apply here

American Express Flying Blue Entry Card

The basic Flying Blue Entry Card costs €36 per year. It is free the first year and remains free if you spend €3,000 annually.

It offers some basic travel accident insurance if paying for your travel or stay with the card.

It only earns 1 Flying Blue miles for every €2 spent on the card.

There is a 1,000 miles welcome bonus if spending €500 on the card in the first 3 months.

In addition, 2 supplementary Entry Cards can be taken out free of charge for family or friends. You do require a gross annual income of €20,000.

Since the Flying Blue Silver Card is free the first year and has a higher points earning rate we would probably recommend that card over the Entry card.

American Express Business Cards in Netherlands

American Express offers a number of business cards to cater for business expenses. These following two cards earn Membership rewards points. You need to have been registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK) for at least 1 year to apply for such a card.


American Express Business Gold Card	American Express Business Green Card
€270	€85
1 point per €1	1 point per €1
Apply here	Apply here

American Express Business Gold Card

The Business Gold Card costs €270 per year. It earns 1 Membership Rewards point for every €1 spent on the card.

The card offers business travel accident, travel inconvenience and cancellation insurance. There is also purchase and refund protection.

It now offers the same 4 x lounge access benefit as the standard Gold card. There is also Loungebox takeaway meals included at Amsterdam, Rotterdam-Hague and Brussels airports.

Cardholders get a 2-course lunch or dinner for 2 (valued at €50 per person) at selected restaurants in Belgium and the Netherlands – twice a year, so the total value is €200.

You require a gross annual income of €36,000.

You can apply for the American Express Business Gold Card here

American Express Business Green Card

The Business Green Card costs €85 annually.

It earns 1 Membership Rewards point for every €1 spent on the card.

The card includes business travel accident and business travel inconvenience insurance.

You require a gross annual income of €23,000.

Apply for an American Express Business Green Card here

About American Express

American Express is an international financial services company with headquarters in New York, USA and offices worldwide. It specialises in payment card services and has 60,000 staff located in 110 countries.

American Express was originally established in 1850. It introduced its first charge card in 1958.

Its Dutch office is located in Amsterdam.

American Express Cards Netherlands FAQ

Is the American Express Netherlands website available in English?

No, generally the Amex (Netherlands) website is in Dutch. There is an exception for the Platinum Metal Card which has an English landing page. All other card pages and application pages are in Dutch.

The landing pages for the business cards are in English and Dutch, though again the application procedure is in Dutch.

How long does it take to apply for an American Express card in the Netherlands?

Applications are normally processed within 10 working days.

What are the general requirements for an American Express card in the Netherlands?

You need to be aged 18 or over and have a Dutch address.

You should have no negative records on the ‘BKR’ Dutch credit register.

You should have a Dutch bank account. You need to verify your identity using the iDIN online identification system using your bank account login credentials.

You also have to upload a copy of your identity – valid passport or ID card (driving license not accepted) – which is verified via Onfido.

What are the eligibility requirements for any welcome bonus points or first year card discounts?

To receive any welcome bonus points or get discounts on the first year of card fees you should not have held an American Express card in the Netherlands for the last 12 months.

How can I manage my American Express account?

The account can be managed online through the American Express NL website or via the American Express app.

American Express can also be contacted by phone and Dutch/English is spoken.

Does American Express offer credit cards or charge cards in the Netherlands?

American Express issues charge cards in the Netherlands. Charge cards are slightly different to credit cards as they must be paid off every month – meaning there is no ongoing balance carried over.

No registration is therefore needed with the Dutch ‘BKR’ credit register due to the issuance of the card.

American Express will give you a spending limit on the card based on your spending habits and personal profile. If you need a higher temporary limit you should contact Amex customer service.

Can I use Apple Pay with American Express Netherlands cards?

Yes, Apple Pay is available for all Membership Rewards and Flying Blue cards.

What is the fee on non-Euro payments for Dutch-based American Express cards?

American Express charges 2.5% for payments made in other (non-euro) currencies. This is pretty standard for credit cards in the Netherlands. This is less of an issue than say the UK or US based cards – since the Dutch cards can be used forex fee-free anywhere in the 19 member states of the eurozone.

Can I cancel or change my American Express card?

Yes, American Express is generally very flexible with cancellations. You usually pay the card fee monthly so effectively you get a pro-rata refund if cancelling the card. Many other card providers will charge you for the full year.

You can also easily upgrade or downgrade to other American Express cards should you satisfy all the basic requirements.

What about the American Express Centurion card in the Netherlands?

We haven’t covered the Dutch American Express Centurion card above because this is an invitation-only card product. There is a one-time €4,000 registration fee and the annual fee is also €4,000 per year. The card earns 1.5 Membership Rewards points per €1 spent.

Which retailers in the Netherlands accept American Express cards?

ALDI, Dirk van den Broek and Jumbo supermarkets, De Bijenkorf department store, HEMA, IKEA stores and major petrol stations all accept AMEX payments.

Transport companies accepting AMEX include NS (Dutch Railways), KLM and Transavia.

Note: Card names above are registered trademarks. You should pay your credit card or charge card balance in full every month. We are not offering any financial advice, we are merely describing the main card benefits and features. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before taking out any financial product.

Last checked and updated 9 January 2026, originally published in 2019.

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

The post American Express Cards in the Netherlands (Complete Guide) appeared first on AmsterdamTips.com.

American Express Gold Card (Netherlands) Review

AmsTips — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 07:40:43 +0000

The American Express Gold Card, also known as the Amex Gold card is a mid-range card offering from American Express in the Netherlands and costs €240 annually. Apply for the American Express Gold Card here

Is the Amex Gold card worth paying this fee? In this guide we will take a detailed look at the travel and insurance benefits the Gold card has to offer.

The American Express Gold Card is a charge card – not a credit card – and the balance has to be paid in full each month. It is issued directly by the American Express Company.

The card fee is €20 per month which is €240 on an annual basis.

Amex Gold Card – Apply here

Benefits of the Amex Gold card in the Netherlands

Amex Gold in the Netherlands comes with a reasonable range of benefits.

Lounge Access with Amex Gold

The cardholder receives 4 free lounge visits per year made through a Priority Pass membership.

Any further visits after the 4 included would be charged at the standard €30 guest Priority Pass fee. This fee is usually a bit cheaper than paying the standard entry rates to lounges which are often €35-50.

You get 4 further free visits each year you renew the card.

Priority Pass has around 1,400 lounges worldwide in its network. Here are the Priority Pass lounges in the Netherlands and at nearby airports:

Aspire Lounge 26 (Schengen), Amsterdam Schiphol
Aspire Lounge 41 (non-Schengen), Amsterdam Schiphol
Hugo Junkers Lounge, Dussledorf
Open Sky Lounge, Dusseldorf
The Lounge T1/T2, Brussels Charleroi

Aspire Lounge 41 at Schiphol

TIP: The Vienna Lounge at Vienna T1 is rated the best Priority Pass lounge in Europe.

One should note that some lounges on the Priority Pass network can be very busy and it may not always be possible to access!

The American Express Platinum card is the premium card offering from Amex with a raft of lounge and travel benefits. It offers unlimited lounge access via Priority Pass, Plaza Premium and more.

See our Amex Platinum Card guide here

Loungebox

At Schiphol Airport Amsterdam, Netherlands-issued Gold cardholders get a light freshly-prepared meal (‘Loungebox on the go’ in a blue Amex branded bag) at one of the 6 GRAB&FLY outlets on presentation of your Amex card and boarding pass.

Grab & Fly outlet at Schiphol airport

This benefit is valid twice a month for the cardholder – and only applies if you choose not to enter one of the Aspire lounges on that day.

You can create your own menu by combining from the following three choices:

Yogurt, a salad, a sandwich or a wrap
a croissant or a piece of fruit
one hot or cold drink.

Dining for 2 Credit

Gold cardholders get a 2-course lunch or dinner for 2 (valued at €50 per person) at over 100 selected restaurants in the Benelux. This is available in October with reservations (mandatory) open 10 days before the start of the respective month.

If used in full the total value of the dining credit is €100. Dining for 2 can only be accessed through the Amex Experiences App.

Travel Insurance

Travel accident insurance is available although the policy is not as comprehensive as that of the Platinum card.

When paying for your trip using the Gold card you get the following coverage:

up to €1,500,000 for medical expenses
up to € 700 per trip for lost, damaged or stolen personal property
up to € 4,500 for trip cancellation or postponement

The insurance is underwritten by Europ Assistance, part of Generali Group. Please contact Amex regarding any pre-existing medical conditions.

Membership Rewards – Points Earning

Membership Rewards is the in-house American Express points program which allows the flexibility to transfer points to other airline and hotel programs.

The Gold Card earns the standard 1 Membership Rewards (MR) point for every €1 spent on the card.

Generally the Dutch-issued Gold card offers no bonus points for applying.

It is currently possible for Dutch-based Membership Rewards cardholders to transfer their MR points into points/miles of 7 frequent flyer programs and 3 hotel programs.

Note, the partners and transfer rates are slightly different for Netherlands American Express cards compared to UK and US cards.

Partner	Transfer Rate	Transfer Time	Minimum Transfer
Air France-KLM Flying Blue	5 : 4 Miles	3-10 days	625 MR points
British Airways Club	5 : 4 Avios	1 day	1,000 MR points
Cathay Asia Miles	5 : 4 Miles	7-10 days	1,000 MR points
Delta SkyMiles	3 : 1 SkyMile	4-10 days	3 MR points
Iberia Club	3 : 2 Avios	1 day	800 MR points
SAS EuroBonus	3 : 2 points	4-10 days	1,200 MR points
Singapore Airlines KrisFLyer	5 : 4 miles	up to 15 days	1,600 MR points
Hilton Honors	1 : 1 point	4-10 days	100 MR points
Marriott Bonvoy	1 : 1 point	4-10 days	100 MR points
Radisson Rewards	1 : 2 points	4-10 days	2 MR points

KLM World Business Class

As an example, if you wanted 40,000 Avios you would need 50,000 MR points for a British Airways transfer but a higher 60,000 MR points for Iberia.

Amex Gold Card FAQ

What is a Membership Reward point worth?

Amex quotes a standard value at €0.003 per MR point (just under a third of a euro cent). However the points are more valuable on the basis that they are transferable. By carefully redeeming for business class flights you can get a lot higher value.

What is the fee on non-Euro payments for the American Express Gold card?

American Express charges 2.5% for payments made in other (non-euro) currencies. The card can be used forex fee-free anywhere in the 19 member states of the eurozone.

What is the income requirement for an Amex Gold Card?

You require a minimum gross income of €20,000 per year.

What are the supplementary card options with the Gold Card?

You can also get a Business Gold Card free for the first year – after that it is charged at the standard €270 per year. But note the income requirement is higher at €36,000.

In addition, 4 free supplementary Amex Green Cards can be taken out.

How long does it take to apply for an American Express Gold card in the Netherlands?

Applications are normally processed within 10 working days.

What are the general requirements for an American Express card in the Netherlands?

You need to be aged 18 or over and have a Dutch address.

You should have no negative records on the ‘BKR’ Dutch credit register.

You should have a Dutch bank account. You need to verify your identity using the iDIN online identification system using your bank account login credentials.

You also have to upload a copy of your identity – valid passport or ID card (driving license not accepted) – which is verified via Onfido.

How can I manage my American Express account?

The account can be managed online through the American Express NL website or via the American Express app.

American Express can also be contacted by phone and Dutch/English is spoken.

Can I use Apple Pay with an American Express Gold card?

Yes, Apple Pay is available for all Amex Membership Rewards cards.

Can I cancel or change my American Express Gold card?

Yes, American Express is generally very flexible with cancellations. Since the card fee is paid monthly you effectively get a pro-rata refund if cancelling the card. Many other card providers will charge you for the full year.

You can also easily upgrade or downgrade to other American Express cards should you wish.

Which retailers in the Netherlands accept American Express cards?

ALDI, Dirk van den Broek and Jumbo supermarkets, De Bijenkorf department store, HEMA, IKEA stores and major petrol stations all accept AMEX payments.

Transport companies accepting AMEX include NS (Dutch Railways), KLM and Transavia. You can book experiences and activities with the likes of GetYourGuide and Tiqets.

American Express quotes the total value of the average annual benefits at over €800 – compared with the €240 card fee.

With its 4 lounge visits, basic travel insurance and other perks the Gold card is an excellent introductory ‘mid-range’ card.

You could give the Gold card a try for a year to see it it works for you.

You can apply for the American Express Gold Card here

4 Lounge passes
basic travel insurance coverage
€100 Dining credit

No current bonus points

Amex Gold Card – Apply here

Note: Card name is a registered trademark. You should pay your credit card or charge card balance in full every month. We are not offering any financial advice, we are merely describing the main card benefits and features. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before taking out any financial product.

First published in 2025, last checked and updated on 9 January 2026.

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

The post American Express Gold Card (Netherlands) Review appeared first on AmsterdamTips.com.