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.
Noord · Experience date Mar 27, 2026
Albert Heijn supermarkets sell prepaid SIM starter packs near the checkout. Brands available: KPN (Simyo), T-Mobile (Ben), and Vodafone. Price: €5–10 for a starter pack with 1–3GB. Activate via the operator's app or website. No staff assistance needed — open the pack, follow the printed instructions, activate online. Useful for: arriving late at night when airport stores are closed, or if you prefer the convenience of a supermarket purchase. Top up with additional bundles via the app. Available at all 1,000+ Albert Heijn locations across the Netherlands.
Oud-West · Experience date Apr 2, 2026
Lebara and Lycamobile are MVNOs popular with Amsterdam's large immigrant community (Surinamese, Moroccan, Turkish, Indian). Both offer very cheap international call minutes to Africa, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. Lebara Netherlands: runs on T-Mobile network. Lycamobile NL: KPN network. Plans: 5GB data + 200 international minutes for €8–10/month. Quality: solid for data (major network backbone), customer service is limited (website/app only, no stores). Good choice for: expats who make frequent calls to family in non-EU countries and want to minimise international call costs.
Centrum · Experience date Apr 16, 2026
Calling international from a Dutch number: all operators offer per-minute international rates (0.20–0.40 EUR/minute to most EU countries). Cheaper alternatives: WhatsApp calls (free over data), Skype (very cheap landline rates), Google Voice. Dutch residents calling abroad frequently: Lebara and Lycamobile MVNOs offer cheap international call bundles targeting migrant communities. If calling the Netherlands from abroad: use WhatsApp — Dutch people are extremely heavy WhatsApp users and almost always reachable this way. Group chats, voice notes, and video calls are standard in Dutch professional and social communication.
Centrum · Experience date Feb 13, 2026
Simyo is a Dutch budget MVNO running on the KPN network. Monthly prepaid plan: 8GB for €10, 20GB for €15 — significantly cheaper than KPN direct. Sign up at simyo.nl or via the app — no store visit required, SIM delivered to Dutch address within 2 days. Alternatively: pick up at a Albert Heijn supermarket or Primera newsagent. Simyo coverage is identical to KPN (the Netherlands' strongest network). Recommended for: expats staying 1+ months who want KPN-quality coverage at budget prices. App is in Dutch — use browser translation.
Noord · Experience date Apr 29, 2026
To use DigiD (Dutch digital government identity system), you need a Dutch mobile number. DigiD sends an SMS verification to your Dutch +31 number for every login. Without a Dutch number, you cannot use DigiD — which means you can't file Dutch taxes online, access your BSN social security number details, or use most Dutch government digital services. Getting a Dutch SIM therefore unlocks your ability to deal with Dutch bureaucracy digitally. Register for DigiD at digid.nl after you have your BSN number and Dutch address registered — your Dutch phone number is the two-factor authentication method.