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A single person in the Netherlands can expect to spend between 1,800 and 3,500 EUR per month depending on the city and lifestyle. Amsterdam is the most expensive, with average monthly costs around 2,500 EUR for a moderate lifestyle. Cities like Groningen and Maastricht can be 30-40% cheaper, especially for housing.

Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in 2026 ranges from around 950 EUR/month in Groningen to 1,650 EUR/month in Amsterdam. For a 2-bedroom apartment, expect 1,250 EUR in Groningen up to 2,200 EUR in Amsterdam. Rent prices vary significantly by city and neighborhood.

Yes, basic health insurance (basisverzekering) is mandatory for everyone living or working in the Netherlands. The average premium is around 148 EUR per month in 2026. Children under 18 are covered for free under their parent's policy. You can choose to add supplementary insurance for dental, physiotherapy, and other extra care.

A single person typically spends 250-450 EUR per month on groceries depending on lifestyle. Budget shoppers using Lidl and Aldi can keep costs around 250 EUR, while those preferring Albert Heijn or organic products might spend 400+ EUR. Markets like Albert Cuypmarkt in Amsterdam offer fresh produce at competitive prices.

Groningen is generally the cheapest major city in the Netherlands, with housing costs 40% lower than Amsterdam and lower overall expenses across most categories. Maastricht and Eindhoven also offer significantly lower costs of living compared to the Randstad cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht).

Amsterdam is the most expensive city in the Netherlands, primarily due to housing costs. Rent in Amsterdam is 15-40% higher than in other major cities. However, categories like health insurance and groceries are more uniform across the country. Rotterdam and The Hague offer similar urban amenities at 20-25% lower total costs.