Buy or rent in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is the toughest buy-vs-rent call in the country: high prices, some of the steepest free-sector rents in Europe, and erfpacht (ground lease) on much of the city. Because owning is often cheaper month-to-month than renting here, the buyer is frequently the one with money left to invest — which is exactly where a fair comparison matters.
What the calculator counts
Most buy-vs-rent tools stop at the mortgage payment. This one counts every Dutch cost and tax on both sides — overdrachtsbelasting, notary, VVE, OZB, maintenance, mortgage interest relief (hypotheekrenteaftrek), the eigenwoningforfait and Box 3 wealth tax on the renter's invested deposit — then compares how much wealthier you are after your chosen number of years in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam note: much of the city is on erfpacht (ground lease). If your canon isn't bought off, add the annual amount in the calculator — it's a real recurring cost that renting avoids.