Amsterdam
SIM providers, plans, and activation tips.
You'll find that getting a local SIM card is a crucial step in setting up your life in Amsterdam. Most newcomers opt for prepaid plans, with options like Simyo on the KPN network offering 20GB for 15/month, or Lebara with 10GB data plus unlimited international calls to 50 countries for 12/month. Watch out for the fact that your existing EU SIM works in the Netherlands if you're from another EU/EEA country, thanks to free EU roaming. If you're arriving at Schiphol Airport, you can easily purchase a KPN tourist SIM with 10GB data for around 20. To get started, head to the KPN counter in the arrivals hall at Schiphol Airport or visit a shop on Kinkerstraat to purchase a Lebara SIM. Today, you can take the first step by registering your address at the municipality to get your BSN, which will make it easier to purchase a Dutch SIM and set up your digital life.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Oud-West · Experience date Apr 27, 2026
Got Lebara at a shop on Kinkerstraat for €15. 10GB data plus unlimited international calls to 50 countries for €12/month on Vodafone network. Great if you call family abroad a lot.
De Pijp · Experience date Jan 18, 2026
Using Simyo — 20GB for €15/month, no contract. KPN has the best indoor coverage in Amsterdam. Bought the SIM online, delivered in 2 days. Just needed a Dutch address.
Jordaan · Experience date Nov 14, 2025
KPN has a dedicated counter in the arrivals hall at Schiphol Airport. A 30-day tourist SIM with 10GB data costs around €15. Show your passport — no Dutch residency required. KPN has the best overall coverage in the Netherlands, including in underground areas, rural provinces, and along rail lines. Activation is instant. If you prefer to compare options first, KPN, Vodafone NL, and T-Mobile NL all have shops in the Schiphol Plaza shopping area connected to the arrivals terminal.
Jordaan · Experience date Jan 30, 2026
Dutch landlines: 010 (Rotterdam), 020 (Amsterdam), 030 (Utrecht) + 7-digit number. Always dial the area code including the 0 when calling domestically. From abroad: drop the 0 and use +31 (e.g. +31 20 xxx xxxx). Dutch mobile numbers: 06 + 8 digits. Emergency services: 112 (police, ambulance, fire — all in one). Non-emergency police: 0900-8844. Getting medical advice (doctor line): 0900-1010 or via your GP practice's after-hours number. WhatsApp is widely used in the Netherlands for both personal and professional communication — most Dutch colleagues and service providers use it.
Jordaan · Experience date Mar 28, 2026
Prepaid (prepaid): flexible, no commitment, slightly higher per-GB cost. Best for stays under 6 months. Monthly contract (abonnement): requires Dutch address and bank account (IBAN), better value — 20GB for €12 on T-Mobile NL vs €15 prepaid. For expats without a Dutch bank account yet: prepaid is the only option initially. Once you have a Dutch bank account (1–2 weeks after registration): switch to a monthly contract for better value. Minimum contract term: typically 1 month (sim-only plans), though some have 12-month minimums — always verify before signing.
Centrum · Experience date Apr 13, 2026
Top up your Dutch prepaid SIM at: Albert Heijn (nationwide, easy to find, vouchers at the checkout self-service), Primera newsagents (on every high street, multiple brands), Kruidvat (drugstore chain, also sells SIM top-ups), HEMA department stores, or via the operator's app with any EU Visa/Mastercard. The app is the most convenient method once set up. Avoid buying top-ups at tourist kiosks in Centraal area — standard prices but no advantage. Albert Heijn AH app: you can even order a SIM top-up voucher for collection at checkout.
Noord · Experience date Dec 21, 2025
Dutch SIMs in other EU/EEA countries: EU roaming regulations mean you pay the same rate as in the Netherlands. Your Dutch data bundle works across all 27 EU member states plus UK (under current agreements), Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein. Fair use limit: typically 15–25GB/month roaming. UK post-Brexit: most Dutch operators still include UK roaming in their EU bundle — check your specific plan. Outside EU (US, Dubai, Southeast Asia): roaming is expensive (€5–15/day). Before non-EU travel: buy a roaming add-on or an international eSIM (Airalo) for your destination country.
Centrum · Experience date May 7, 2026
Dutch operators offer family plans with shared data. T-Mobile NL: 'Maandelijks Opzegbaar' family plans — 4 SIMs sharing a data pool, cheaper per SIM. KPN family plans: similar structure. For expat families: getting everyone on a family plan saves 20–30% versus individual prepaid SIMs. Minimum: typically 2 SIMs. Requires a Dutch bank account (SEPA direct debit). Children's SIMs: same options as adults — no age restriction on prepaid SIMs. Screen time and data limits: available on parental control settings in KPN and T-Mobile apps.
Zuidas · Experience date Apr 28, 2026
Most Dutch prepaid plans include hotspot tethering at no extra cost. KPN prepaid: tethering included, speed not throttled. T-Mobile NL prepaid: same. Simyo: included. Ben (T-Mobile MVNO): tethering included. Check your specific plan terms — some very cheap plans (Lebara, Lyca) limit hotspot to 2–3 Mbps. For remote workers relying on mobile hotspot: KPN or T-Mobile NL direct plans are the most reliable, with consistently uncapped tethering speeds of 50–100 Mbps in Amsterdam.
Noord · Experience date Dec 5, 2025
The Netherlands consistently ranks in the top 5 globally for mobile data speeds. Amsterdam average speeds: KPN 80–150 Mbps, T-Mobile NL 100–180 Mbps, Vodafone NL 70–130 Mbps. 5G: widely deployed in Amsterdam city centre, De Pijp, Oud-West, Noord. In the canal ring (Grachtengordel): 4G dominates due to the historic building density, but speeds are still excellent (40–80 Mbps). Coverage underground (Metro GVB): KPN and T-Mobile both have signal in most Amsterdam Metro stations and some tunnel sections.
