2023 is already well underway, as the Christmas decorations slowly but surely come down and the whole world settles into the new year. You might think you’re familiar with all there is to know about the changes coming to the Netherlands in 2023, but you could very well be mistaken. 

Do you live or work in the Dutch capital? Here’s a rundown of all the changes you should expect in Amsterdam in 2023. 

Amsterdam tax in 2023

Let’s kick things off with perhaps the least exciting but most important topic: taxation. 2023 brings some (slight) changes to tax rates in the Dutch capital: 

• Higher waste tax: The annual tax for waste collection will increase to 344 euros for single-person households, and to 459 euros for multi-person households.
• Higher property taxes: Anyone who owns a home in Amsterdam will once again face higher real estate taxes in 2023, as the tax rate rises from 0,0420 percent to 0,0431 percent of the property’s value.
• Higher sewage charges: Homeowners also pay a levy in order to be connected to the city’s sewage system. In 2023, this rate rises from 152.50 to 160,43 euros for residential properties.
• New events tax: The municipality has introduced a new fee for companies who run commercial events or festivals in public areas (e.g. festivals, canal cruises). The fee is set at 1,50 euros per passenger on boats and other vehicles, and again at 1,50 euros for events for at least 500 attendees.

Tax payments that were halted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic (i.e. space taxes for businesses with outdoor terraces) have been resumed as of January 2023. 

Housing and living in the Dutch capital

2023 also brings some changes to the housing rules in Amsterdam:

• The threshold for the purchase protection regulation - which came into effect in April - is increasing from 512.000 to 533.000 euros. Properties bought for less than this value must be lived in by the owner and cannot be rented out for a period of at least four years after purchase.
• People who work in certain jobs will be prioritised when it comes to some social rental housing; 44 percent of these properties will go to people who work in healthcare, 34 percent will go to teachers, and 22 percent to police officers.

Another recent change worth being aware of is that, as of December 1, 2022, new, stricter rules apply in order to tackle the issue of vacant residential properties. Now, a rental property cannot remain vacant for longer than two months. Property owners face hefty fines if they fail to report that one of their properties is vacant.

Changes to public transport and traffic in Amsterdam

Several transport-related changes are coming to the Dutch capital this year. Firstly, the city’s public transport provider, GVB, is launching a brand new ferry on January 9 for pedestrians and cyclists travelling between Zeeburgereiland and Sporenburg. The ferry will run every 20 minutes in both directions from Monday through Friday. 

In more public transport news, early 2023 will see the opening of two large bicycle parking facilities at Amsterdam Centraal, with a combined capacity for 11.000 bikes! The first, located on Stationsplein, will open its doors in January while the second, located on the IJboulevard, will open in February.

And finally, some important news for drivers in the Dutch capital: from December of this year, the speed limit on 270 kilometres of Amsterdam roads will be set at 30 kilometres per hour. The policy aims to improve road safety and reduce noise pollution in the city, and means that 80 percent of roads will have a maximum speed of 30 kilometres per hour. 

Financial support for low-income households

This year, the municipality of Amsterdam will continue to offer financial support to many households and families who are struggling to get by. The first step in this plan is raising the low-income threshold in Amsterdam from 120 to 130 percent of the statutory social minimum (the minimum income you need in order to live). This means a greater proportion of the Amsterdam population will be able to benefit from support schemes.

Once again, low-income households will be eligible to receive financial support in order to help cover the cost of their energy bills. 2023 also sees the municipality expand the number of places where people who menstruate can receive free menstrual products.

Environment and nature: More (and better!) green spaces

The municipality plans to increase the amount of green space in Amsterdam in 2023, especially in built-up areas that currently struggle during periods of heavy rain or drought. In all, around 50 new green spaces will be added to the city this year. Furthermore, the municipality hopes to work to better support and improve the quality of the green spaces that already exist.

Provincial and Water Boards elections in March 2023

A new year, another election! On March 15, 2023, residents of the Dutch capital will go to the polls to vote in the Provincial Council and the Water Boards elections. While the election for the Provincial Council is only open to Dutch citizens, the good news for expats is that many will be eligible to vote in the Water Boards election; they just need to be over the age of 18, be a resident of a Dutch Water authority territory, and hold either Dutch or EU citizenship or a Dutch residence permit.

Final stages of the Weesp-Amsterdam merger

Last March saw the municipality of Weesp join the city of Amsterdam. Almost one year own, 2023 will see Weesp officially take on all of the rules and rates that apply in Amsterdam. This means, for example, that businesses and residents in Weesp will now pay Amsterdam tax rates, and will see rates for parking permits change.

The municipality joins Mastodon

And last but not least, the municipality of Amsterdam’s Mastodon server will go live in January. Advertised as a “decentralised social media platform”, the municipality hopes its presence on Mastodon will allow residents of the city to keep up-to-date with news “without being dependent on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram”.

Thumb: Filip Rytych via Shutterstock.com.