Is tap water in Amsterdam free?
The answer is yes! Drinking water from taps in the city is very safe to drink and even has a great taste! We tell you were to find the spots and why the water is so special.
Taps with free water
Did you know that in Amsterdam there are more than 500 taps with free drinking water? The taps are available 24 hours a day. Grab a bottle and fill it up! You can find the taps in the Vondelpark, in the Museum Quarter, and in many other places throughout the city.
Is the Tap Water in Amsterdam Safe to Drink? Yes, the tap water in Amsterdam is safe to drink according to international standards. According to many Dutch people it's among the best in Europe. The local water provider Waternet continuously monitors water quality to ensure it meets high safety standards.
Normally tap water is available free, but you may have to ask for it. It is often served without ice, unless you ask for it. Yes, though you may have to go to the toilet of the restaurant for it, where you can drink from the tap as much free water as you like.
How much will I pay for water in Amsterdam in 2023 if I don't have a water meter? Waternet charges the drinking water costs in units for customers without a water meter. You will pay 23.43 euros per unit this year (was 22.65 euros). The yearly fixed costs increased to 106.52 euros (was 80.45 euros).
Drink tap water
Did you know that tap water in the Netherlands is some of the best in the world? Use a refillable bottle instead of a single-use one; there are more than enough water fountains at Schiphol where you can fill up your bottle.
Residents of Amsterdam must pay a water authority tax (waterschapsbelasting). This tax is used to maintain dykes and waterways, as well as for water management and water purification.
Can you drink tap water in Amsterdam? The answer is yes! Drinking water from taps in the city is very safe to drink and even has a great taste!
This one is pretty simple to answer – the Dutch do not have a tipping culture as strongly-ingrained as much of the English-speaking world. In a bar, restaurant, or private boat tour in Amsterdam, provided the service was good, a tip of around 10% is appreciated but not automatically expected.
So, the answer is no, not everywhere will give you free tap water. In contrast, some restaurants will place a carafe of water on your table when you arrive. I think this is a nice gesture and shows that they value the customer over the money. Most bars will give you a glass of water with your drinks if you ask.
Are toilets free in Amsterdam?
It is essential to know that there's nothing for free in the Netherlands; everything comes with a cost. If you want to use the toilet, pay for it; if you want to use the restroom, it's normal to pay.
Most European restaurants have paid for water from a bottle or sparkling water, so the costs of buying bottled water are passed on to the customers. Plus, in general, waiters may find it rude to ask for a free drink when dining at their enterprise.
On intercontinental flights, we help you settle in with a bottle of water. Your meal includes a warm dish of your choice, large salad, and dessert. There's always a number of vegetarian options available.
Because someone has to pay the cleaner. Public toilets are seen as a service, not a right. There are some very public toilets in the cities, mostly for men but increasingly also for women that you don't have to pay for.
You ask for 'water uit de kraan' to order tap water. We always ask for it. We also prefer it above bottled water. Typically, Dutch people prefer tea when they wake up in the morning, and then switch to coffee around 10AM.
Don't forget your drink bottle
Then you must empty it first. After security and the passport control area, you will be able to refill it with water at one of the taps at the washroom facilities.
In English, schiphol translates to 'ship hole', a reference to many ships supposedly lost in the lake. When the lake was reclaimed, however, no shipwrecks were found. Another possible origin of the name is the word scheepshaal.
This corner of the inland sea was particularly treacherous. For this reason, some believe the name comes from Ships Hell or the Dutch Scheepshol, where 'hol' means grave. This means the Schiphol area was where ships would sink to the bottom of the lake.
Some restaurants do offer it for free, some give it for free when you ask but many prefer to sell bottled water. Unfortunately pretty common. They are not supposed to be allowed to do this but many places I eaten at will only do bottled water. No margin on water from the tap.
Europeans, who are notorious water connoisseurs, generally pay to drink bottled water with their meals — for taste, not health. At restaurants, your server just can't understand why you wouldn't want good bottled water to go with your good food. Luckily, it's never expensive to order a half-liter of bottled water.
How clean is tap water in Amsterdam?
Yes, the tap water in Amsterdam is safe to drink. The water companies in the country adhere to the strict regulations set by the Dutch Drinking Water Act and the European Union's Drinking Water Directive. This means that the tap water undergoes rigorous testing and treatment processes to ensure its safety.
Finland is uniquely rich in surface waters, and ranks amongst the best in the world for its tap water quality. It is not only completely safe but a pleasure to drink, with legislation ensuring that water does not contain substances or organisms that could cause any ill-health.
The Netherlands has strict regulations and standards in place to ensure the safety and purity of its tap water. The drinking water in the Netherlands is carefully monitored and treated by water companies to meet these standards. Overall, Dutch tap water is considered safe and of high quality.
1) Dank je wel / Dankjewel [ˌdɑŋk jə ˈʋɛl]
This is hands down the most popular way to say thank you in Dutch. You'll hear dank je wel used all over The Netherlands, and you'll see it spelled in two ways: dankjewel and dank je wel. Both are correct and pronounced the same way. Feeling extra casual?
What is VAT? VAT, Value Added Tax (Belasting Toegevoegde Waarde, BTW in Dutch), is a tax that is levied on the value added by an entrepreneur to a product or service. Every entrepreneur has to charge this BTW on its sales and remit it to the Dutch tax administration (Belastingdienst).
