🏙️ Cost of Living London vs Amsterdam 2026

Amsterdam is significantly more affordable than London. approximately 15-20% cheaper overall. However, compared to its own pre-2018 reputation as a budget-friendly European city, Amsterdam has become materially more expensive. Central 1-bed apartments at €1.800-2.800/month are among the most expensive in continental Europe. The 2024 rent regulation (Wet betaalbare huur) has paradoxically reduced supply. Amsterdam remains excellent value compared to London, Zurich or Geneva, but is now an expensive European city in its own right.

The UK abolished the non-domicile tax regime effective April 2025, replacing it with a Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) relief for the first 4 years of UK residency only. Individuals who had used the non-dom regime for long periods to shelter foreign income now face full UK taxation on worldwide income. This change, combined with post-Brexit visa friction for EU nationals, has reduced London's attractiveness as a base for wealthy European and international professionals who previously benefited from non-dom status.

For the absolute depth and seniority of finance roles, London remains unmatched in Europe. London is home to the European operations of virtually every major global investment bank, asset manager and hedge fund. However, post-Brexit EU passporting limitations have shifted some EU-facing finance roles to Amsterdam (and Dublin, Frankfurt, Paris). Amsterdam hosts Euronext, a growing hedge fund cluster and the European operations of many US tech-finance firms. For EU-market-facing roles and early-to-mid career finance professionals, Amsterdam is increasingly viable. For the most senior global roles, London still dominates.