Amsterdam abolishes fine for sleeping outdoors

◆2 sources

A majority of Amsterdam’s city council voted to remove the fine for sleeping outdoors from the city’s General Local Regulation. People sleeping outdoors had not been fined in practice since an agreement by the mayor, public prosecutor and police in June 2025; the council’s decision means that sleeping outdoors in itself is no longer punishable.

Fines can still be imposed for causing nuisance or pollution, blocking building entrances or exits, and sleeping in tents or vehicles. CDA and VVD opposed the change, saying it removed a means of registration and raised concerns about nuisance. A CDA motion to create an alternative registration system for people who do not cooperate voluntarily was rejected.

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Tax, Benefits & Cost of Living

Amsterdam tourist-tax exception for Weesp farms

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Amsterdam’s municipal executive said farms in Weesp should not expect a lower tourist-tax rate than elsewhere in the city. It responded to a CDA proposal to reduce the tax for small-scale accommodation outside Weesp’s built-up area, saying a separate rate would be complex to administer and could create legal risks, including conflict with the principle of equality. The executive also fears that accommodation providers elsewhere in Amsterdam could seek the same exception. The issue arose after a Weesp dairy farmer who runs a guesthouse objected to the increase. The tourist tax is set to rise from 12.5% to 16% next year and to 20% in 2031. CDA leader Rogier Havelaar said different rates are legally possible if based on an objective criterion. Politicians in Amsterdam-Zuidoost have also sought an exception. The CDA proposal is expected to be discussed by the city council later this month.

Business & Finance

Court overturns Amsterdam tour-boat levy increase

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A court overturned Amsterdam's increase in the entertainment levy for tour-boat passengers from €1.50 to €2.50, after an objection by Rederij Stromma. The ruling held that the municipality had not adequately shown that the additional revenue was needed for facilities benefiting the operators. It also found that spending part of the proceeds on measures including free public transport for children, greening public space and a teachers' fair did not benefit passenger-shipping companies. The €1.50 rate applies again, retroactively from the third quarter of 2024, and Amsterdam must reimburse Stromma for overpaid amounts. The court did not determine the effect on other tour-boat operators or organisers of events on vessels. A single report said the alderman had previously said the municipality risked repaying €5 million to shipowners, while councillors are seeking clarification from the municipal executive.