Do They Speak English in Amsterdam? Or Just Dutch?

WONDERING WHETHER THEY SPEAK ENGLISH IN AMSTERDAM? YES! THEY ABSOLUTELY DO!

You’re headed to Amsterdam, but you’re worried. I get it! Thoughts of: Do they speak English in Amsterdam? Will I be able to communicate and get around? are circling around in your head.

Don’t worry! I’ve been to Amsterdam more times than I can count by now! So I have all the answers you need as to what languages are spoken in the Netherlands, and whether or not you need to speak some Dutch to communicate!

Amsterdam is basically my favorite place in the entire world. I mean, stunning canals, delicious Dutch foods, and fantastic historical sites- what’s not to like?

But it’s not unusual for first-time travelers to find themselves wondering about the language spoken by the locals when they’re off to the Netherlands! After all, Dutch isn’t the easiest language to just pick up!

The good news is, yes, they do speak English in Amsterdam. But there’s a bit more to know than just that! I’ve covered everything you need to know about speaking English in Amsterdam below:

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Do They Speak English in Amsterdam?

Yes! English is very widely spoken in Amsterdam and in the Netherlands as a whole.

It might surprise you to know that not only do they speak English in Amsterdam, but more than 90% of the population can actually speak English fluently (almost at the level of a native speaker). So, language barriers between travelers and locals aren’t too common!

This high English proficiency throughout the country is partly because all Dutch children are required to take English in some primary and secondary levels in school. In fact, many students in Holland are taught in English for a percentage of their school day from as early as 4 years old!

This means that the entirety of the educated population (basically everyone) is taught English from a young age. So it’s no surprise that they can speak English darn well in Amsterdam!

Why Do They Speak English So Well in Amsterdam?

There are a few reasons for this.

The primary reasons that Dutch people speak English so well revolve around tourism, education, and international business.

Since Dutch children are taught English (and taught in English at times) from a very early age, it’s no surprise that the country of the Netherlands as a whole is exceedingly well-versed at speaking English.

In addition, I’ve already touched on the fact that tourism is a huge piece of Amsterdam’s culture. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world- a true bucket list destination.

And more than 20 million people visit the city each year.

It benefits tourism numbers to be English-friendly.

Finally, Amsterdam values their status as an international business hub. In fact, most business is conducted in English in Amsterdam- even if the company is Dutch.

International business engagements often use English to communicate. Replicating this structure benefits the business world in Amsterdam.

How English-Friendly is Amsterdam?

While the official language of the Netherlands is Dutch, the Netherlands is one of the most English-friendly countries in the world.

With more than 90% of their population speaking English, you’ll have no trouble communicating in Amsterdam without being able to speak Dutch.

In fact, the English Language Proficiency Index (a research study that ranks countries based on their English language skills) places the Netherlands at number 1 out of 111 countries.

Holland, then, is the most English-friendly country in Europe, and is quite high on the list worldwide.

Can I Just Speak English in the Netherlands?

If you’re traveling in the Netherlands and its capital city, Amsterdam, you can just speak English. You’ll be able to travel around easily, get help if needed, and converse with other people you meet.

I’ve not found anyone in tourism or hotels in Amsterdam, for example, who I haven’t been able to talk to. Literally anyone in the multiple times I’ve visited over the last decade.

Where this would get more complicated is if you were going to live in the Netherlands and work for a few years, or if you planned to travel from Amsterdam to some significantly smaller towns.

While you will still be able to find people in these areas who speak English just fine, there will also be others who only speak Dutch or only understand a few words of English.

For example, I always take trips outside of Amsterdam to the tiny town of Muiden. And, even though it’s only about fifteen minutes from the city via car, I still came across people who didn’t speak English well.

We could definitely still communicate, but it was stilted! I noticed this primarily at smaller cafes, restaurants, and markets, in particular.

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What Languages Are Spoken in Amsterdam?

There are many languages spoken in Amsterdam, top among them English, Dutch, German, French, and Spanish.

As mentioned above, you’ll find that almost everyone in Amsterdam is bilingual- speaking both English and Dutch very well.

However, the Dutch pride themselves on their educational status, and it is not uncommon at all to find locals who can speak three and sometimes even four or more languages. In fact, a whopping 71% of Dutch citizens also speak German as well.

This is because of a few reasons. But it’s worth noting that English and Dutch are both considered Germanic languages (along with French and German). In Germanic languages, many words tend to sound similar.

For example, Hello in Dutch is simply “Hallo.” Super close to native English!

Because they’re both Germanic languages, it is not extremely difficult for the Dutch to learn English and vice versa.

Basic Phrases in Dutch

Even though almost everyone in Amsterdam speaks English, knowing a few Dutch phrases can go a long way. It’s a nice way to show some respect for the local culture, and honestly, it’s just fun!

Plus, the locals will appreciate your effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect. Here are a few handy phrases to keep in your back pocket:

English	Dutch	Pronunciation
Hello	Hallo	ha-loh
Good morning	Goedemorgen	khoo-duh-mor-ghen
Good evening	Goedenavond	khoo-duh-naa-vond
Goodbye	Tot ziens	tot zeens
Please	Alstublieft	al-stu-bleeft
Thank you	Dank u wel	dank oo vel
Yes	Ja	yah
No	Nee	nay
Do you speak English?	Spreekt u Engels?	sprekt oo en-guhls
I don’t understand	Ik begrijp het niet	ik beh-gripe het neet
Excuse me	Pardon	par-don
How much does this cost?	Hoeveel kost dit?	hoo-veel kost dit
Where is the bathroom?	Waar is het toilet?	vaar is het tway-let

Try sprinkling these into your conversations, whether you’re grabbing a coffee or asking for directions. You’ll feel like a local in no time—or at least get a smile from the person you’re talking to!

Is Dutch Difficult?

So, is Dutch hard to learn? Well, kind of…but also not really. Here’s the deal: Dutch is a Germanic language, like English, so there are a lot of similarities. Words like “huis” (house) and “water” (water) are basically the same—easy win!

But then you’ve got those infamous Dutch sounds, like the throaty “g” in goedemorgen or tricky combinations like “sch.” Let’s just say your throat might get a workout.

Grammar can also be a bit of a puzzle, with rules and exceptions that’ll keep you on your toes. That said, Dutch people are super encouraging, and they usually switch to English if you’re struggling. It’s like they’ve got your back while you practice.

The good news? With some effort and a sense of humor about messing up (you will mess up), it’s totally doable.

Try watching Dutch shows, listening to podcasts, or chatting with locals—they’ll appreciate your efforts, and you’ll learn faster than you think. Plus, nothing beats the satisfaction of ordering a stroopwafel in perfect Dutch!

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FAQ: Do They Speak English in Amsterdam?

Even though you now know that they speak English in Amsterdam, here are a few answers to some other commonly asked questions about linguistics and language in Amsterdam:

What Percent of Amsterdam Speaks English?

Pretty much everyone speaks English in Amsterdam.

More than 90% (likely somewhere between 93-95%) of the population in Amsterdam speaks English. And most of these people speak English insanely well.

Is It Rude to Speak English in Amsterdam?

It is not considered offensive or rude to speak English in Amsterdam.

Think of it this way: Amsterdam is a massive city for tourism and international business, among other things.

Beyond common greetings and niceties, most people in Amsterdam tend to default to speaking English- even if they’re Dutch!

Therefore, don’t feel any type of way about speaking English in Amsterdam. While I would certainly advise you to offer a hearty good morning in Dutch or try your hand at a few Dutch phrases, it is not rude at all to communicate in English during your time in Amsterdam.

Will I Get Treated Differently if I Communicate in English in Holland?

As a serial traveler, I am always wondering whether or not I will be treated differently in other countries once people realize that I’m American.

It’s not a secret that there are some countries where locals aren’t too keen on tourists and visitors coming in and speaking their own native language.

In Amsterdam, I have never once felt like I was treated differently for speaking English or being a foreigner. Sometimes, it has been the exact opposite and people have been more friendly and accommodating once they find out I’m not a local.

Can I Live in Amsterdam Speaking Only English?

Sure, you can. However, keep in mind that learning a language becomes much easier when you’re immersed in it day in and day out.

You’ll be able to get around and survive speaking only English. However, people will know that you’re not a local Dutchman. In all honesty, this doesn’t really matter, though, as the Dutch are very friendly to expats.

If you live in the Netherlands and only speak English, it just might be hard at times. For instance, some public transportation announcements are only made in Dutch.

That being said, you’ll likely pick Dutch up quickly living in the Netherlands. You’ll be immersed in the culture and language and will be able to recognize words relatively soon.

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Final Thoughts: Do They Speak English in Amsterdam?

Long story short, yep, they do speak English in Amsterdam!

No matter how long you plan to be in this amazing city, you’ll have no trouble at all communicating only in English. In fact, you can travel around the Netherlands as a whole speaking only English and you’re not likely to encounter any problems.

So pack your bags and plan that Amsterdam itinerary! Before you know it, you’ll be biking your way through Amsterdam– no Dutch language skills required!

If you’re headed to Amsterdam soon, here are some more helpful tips:

✅ My favorite Amsterdam itineraries for 4 days or one day in Amsterdam!
✅ All the Canal Cruises I recommend in Amsterdam- including private tours!
✅ An Amsterdam Bucket List to complete!
✅ Everything you need to know for visiting the Anne Frank House
✅ Top Weekend Trips from Amsterdam
✅ Review on my #1 Place to stay in Amsterdam
✅ If you’re biking around the city, here’s what you need to know!
✅ How should you greet in Dutch?