Costs of living in the Netherlands have been getting increasingly more expensive in the Netherlands same as many other countries in the world. Costs of energy, groceries and fuel costs are what hit Dutch households the most. Life is becoming more expensive in the Netherlands due to causes like rising inflation, a post-pandemic economy, and skyrocketing energy costs brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result, people have been looking for ways to save money, while keeping their hobbies and living a lifestyle as similar to the pre-pandemic levels as possible.

The good news is there are some ways you can save money without having to completely change your lifestyle.

How to save money in the Netherlands

  • 1
    Try to live as close to your work or school as possible. This will save you on transportation costs.
  • 2
    Cook at home as much as possible. Eating out can be expensive in the Netherlands.
  • 3
    Try to find free or cheap activities to do in your spare time.
  • 4
    Shop around for groceries: The prices of groceries can vary significantly from one store to the next. By doing some price comparisons, you can save money on your grocery bill. There are some apps that you can use in order to scan your area for different sales on different grocery stores. You can use Reclamefolder (In Dutch) for example.
  • 5
    Buy in bulk: Buying in bulk can be a great way to save money, especially if you’re able to find good deals on bulk items. There are plenty or online and physical stores that provide groceries in bulk.
  • 6
    Cancel automatic subscriptions: If you have any automatic subscription, assess your situation if you do need and afford it or not.
  • 7
    Use coupons: Coupons can be a great way to save money on groceries and other purchases. Many fast food restaurants have apps that you can download to check if they have any coupons in order to get deals and cheaper meals.
  • 8
    Find cheaper subscriptions: Check if you can find cheaper subscriptions to necessary things like internet, phone and insurance subscriptions.