Could your next chapter
be in Amsterdam?
Here is a look at what life and work in Amsterdam could look like for you, and what would be taken care of if you decide to make the move.
For Databricks new grads and interns joining the Amsterdam office.
Relocation services provided through our partner Elva.
Why Amsterdam
Why Amsterdam could be a good first move.
A compact, international city where the working language is English and the practical parts of life are already organised.
Close to where decisions are made
Amsterdam is the Databricks European hub (verify), so regional leadership, field teams, and engineering sit in the same building rather than several time zones away. Early in your career that usually means shorter feedback loops and more visible work.
English is the working language
In the office and in the city. You can open a bank account, see a doctor, sign a lease, and order dinner in English. Learning Dutch is welcome and useful, but it is not a condition for living here.
A city you cross by bike in 20 minutes
Most of Amsterdam is within a 20-minute ride. No commuting culture, no car needed. A bike, a tram pass, and an OV-chipkaart cover almost everything you need.
Paris, Berlin, and London as weekend trips
Schiphol is around 15 to 20 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal, and it is one of Europe's largest hubs (verify). Paris and London are also reachable by direct train.
An international tech community
Amsterdam is one of Europe's most international cities, with a large share of residents holding a migration background (verify current share with the municipality's own statistics). In practice, being new is normal here.
Boundaries around working hours
Dutch work culture is direct and fairly protective of personal time. Meetings start on time, opinions are shared plainly, and evenings are generally your own. Part-time and flexible arrangements are widely accepted (verify what applies to your role).
Healthcare and social security built in
Once you are registered and insured, you have a general practitioner, hospital cover, and access to the Dutch social security system. Basic health insurance is mandatory and paid monthly, with an allowance available for lower incomes.
Three months that count
For interns: a placement in Amsterdam is a full three months of living here, not a visit. Housing, registration, and insurance are arranged before you start, and the same Elva team that supports full-time hires supports you, so your time goes into the work and the city rather than paperwork.
Why Amsterdam
What makes Amsterdam special.
The numbers behind daily life here, with the source for each one listed at the bottom of this page.
Top 10 in the World Happiness Report
The Netherlands has placed in the top ten for years, usually around 5th or 6th. Verify the current edition before publishing.
20 statutory vacation days, minimum
Dutch law gives full-time employees at least 20 paid vacation days, plus a holiday allowance of 8 percent of annual salary paid in May. Verify what Databricks adds on top.
More bikes than residents
Around 900,000 bikes for roughly 930,000 residents, on more than 500 km of cycle paths in the city. Verify current municipal figures.
15 to 20 minutes to Schiphol
Direct trains from Amsterdam Centraal several times an hour, to an airport with connections across Europe and beyond. Verify journey time and connection count.
First or second for English proficiency
The Netherlands has ranked 1st or 2nd in the EF English Proficiency Index for years. Verify the current edition.
Among the safest countries in Europe
Consistently in the top 20 of the Global Peace Index, with low violent crime. Verify the current ranking.
Around EUR 150 a month for basic insurance
Basic health insurance is mandatory and paid privately, roughly EUR 140 to 160 a month, with an annual deductible. Lower incomes can claim zorgtoeslag. Verify the 2026 premium and deductible.
30% ruling: 30% of salary tax-free
Eligible foreign hires can receive up to 30 percent of salary tax-free for a maximum of five years. Under-30s with a master's degree qualify at a lower salary threshold, which most new graduates meet. Verify 2026 thresholds and the reduction to 27% announced for 2027.
A tight rental market, honestly
One-bedroom rents in central Amsterdam are roughly EUR 1,900 to 2,300 a month, and good listings go quickly. This is exactly what the relocation support is for. Verify current market figures.
Food and culture in a walkable city
Markets, cuisines from across the world, and museums like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum within cycling distance of most neighbourhoods.
Resources
Run the numbers.
Rough estimates to help you picture daily life and take-home pay in Amsterdam. For exact figures, use the Belastingdienst or ask your case manager.
Cost of living comparison
Indicative monthly figures in EUR, public datasets, last updated 2026.
Take-home pay estimator
Estimated net / year
€52,745
€4,395 / month
Effective rate
12%
30% of salary treated as tax-free
Estimates only, and holiday allowance, pension contributions, and the monthly health insurance premium are not included. Bracket limits, rates, and tax credits are indicative 2026 figures and are listed for verification at the bottom of this page.The 30% ruling requires a valid decision from the Belastingdienst and a minimum taxable salary. A lower threshold applies to employees under 30 who hold a master's degree, which most new graduates meet. The maximum duration is five years, and a reduction from 30% to 27% has been announced for 2027 (verify).Interns: stipend and housing allowance are paid as a relocation budget, see below.
What's included
Your relocation package.
Everything included in your move to Amsterdam. Budget amounts are not shown here; they come from your offer letter.
Before publishing
Every number on this page.
Each figure used above, with where it comes from and what still needs checking. This section is for internal review and can be removed before the page goes live.