Renting in Amsterdam-Centrum: Guide for Landlords and Tenants (2026)
Last updated: October 2026 · By Erdal Aydın, Amsterdam Property Renting
Amsterdam-Centrum is the historic heart of the city, with the UNESCO-listed canal ring, the Jordaan and hundreds of monuments. It has around 91,000 residents and more private rental than any other district: 40% of all homes are privately rented. For landlords it is a prestigious but tightly regulated market; for tenants it means living in the middle of everything, usually in a smaller home.
Amsterdam-Centrum at a glance
| Residents | 91,014 (1 January 2025) |
|---|---|
| Homes | 57,168: 40% private rental, 30% owner-occupied, 30% housing association |
| Neighbourhoods | Burgwallen, Grachtengordel, Jordaan, Haarlemmerbuurt, De Weteringschans, Nieuwmarkt/Lastage, Weesperbuurt/Plantage, Eastern Islands |
| Rail and metro | Amsterdam Centraal (about 17 minutes to Schiphol); metro 51, 52, 53 and 54 |
| Key employers | Booking.com campus on Oosterdokseiland (about 6,500 staff), UvA city-centre campus and Roeterseiland campus |
| Heritage | Canal ring on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2010 |
Neighbourhoods in Amsterdam-Centrum
Centrum has ten official neighbourhoods. These are the ones tenants and landlords ask about most:
- Grachtengordel (canal ring): canal houses along the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, including De Negen Straatjes. Mostly private rental.
- Jordaan: narrow streets and small canals with the Noordermarkt (Monday and Saturday) and the Lindengracht market (Saturday).
- Haarlemmerbuurt and Westelijke Eilanden: shopping streets and former harbour islands just west of Centraal.
- Burgwallen: the oldest part of the city around the Dam and the Red Light District, with many hotels and visitors.
- Nieuwmarkt/Lastage: around the Nieuwmarkt and the Waterlooplein market, close to the metro.
- De Weteringschans: between Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, close to Zuid.
- Plantage, Weesperbuurt and the Eastern Islands: quieter streets near Artis, the Hortus and the UvA Roeterseiland campus, plus Wittenburg, Oostenburg and Kattenburg.
Neighbourhood guides in Centrum
- Jordaan – Noordermarkt, hofjes and the 15-night holiday rental limit
Getting around Amsterdam-Centrum
Few places in the Netherlands are better connected. From Amsterdam Centraal, trains run to Schiphol in about 17 minutes and to every part of the country. Metro 52 runs under the centre to De Pijp and Zuid, and metro 51, 53 and 54 run from Centraal via Nieuwmarkt and Waterlooplein towards Oost and Zuidoost. Trams 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17, 24 and 26 start at Centraal. Most residents walk or cycle, and owning a car is rarely practical.
Who lives and rents in Amsterdam-Centrum?
Centrum’s tenants are mostly small, working households:
- Single-person households: 63% of all households, well above the city average of 55%.
- Young professionals and students: 17% of residents are aged 18–26, and almost half are highly educated.
- Couples without children: only 8% of households are couples with children.
Private rental is concentrated in the canal ring, the Burgwallen and De Weteringschans, while housing association homes are mainly in the Jordaan, the Haarlemmerbuurt and the Eastern Islands.
Erdal’s pick in Centrum
Erdal, founder of Amsterdam Property Renting, on the places he goes to himself.
- Soho House (Spuistraat) – “Where I hold my meetings in the city. I actually see it as my second office and a second home.”
Tarık’s pick in Centrum
Tarık from our team on the places he goes to himself.
- TOKI (Binnen Dommerstraat, Haarlemmerbuurt) – “For a weekend brunch or a good coffee while working.”
Renting out your home in Amsterdam-Centrum
Renting out in the centre comes with stricter rules than elsewhere in Amsterdam, mostly because of tourism pressure. Since 1 April 2026 holiday rental is limited to 15 nights per year in designated neighbourhoods, most of them in Centrum; elsewhere the limit is 30 nights. Many landlords in the centre therefore choose a long-term tenant, which also gives a more stable income.
Many homes in the centre are monuments, so renovations need extra permits, and older canal houses can have a low energy label, which costs points under the points system. Mid-rent homes (144–186 points) have a maximum rent of €1,228.07 per month in 2026, and the buy-to-let protection applies to recently bought homes with a WOZ value up to €637,000. Our Amsterdam landlord guide explains the rules, and our page on landlord fines shows what happens when they are missed.
We calculate the points, advise on furnished or unfurnished rental, and find a tenant who fits a centre home. Read more about renting out your apartment in Amsterdam.
Own a home in Amsterdam-Centrum? Get a free rent check within 24 hours and a tailored proposal. No rent, no fee.
Looking for a rental home in Amsterdam-Centrum
Homes in the centre are often small, with steep stairs and no lift, and noise from visitors is common in some streets: 24% of Centrum residents report nuisance from tourism. Visit at different times of day, ask about the energy label and heating costs, and have your documents ready, because good homes in the centre are let quickly.
Looking for a home in Amsterdam-Centrum? Register as a tenant and we will contact you when a matching home becomes available.
Renting in Amsterdam-Centrum: frequently asked questions
Can I rent out my apartment in Amsterdam-Centrum on Airbnb?
Only with a permit and a registration number, and with a limit of 15 nights per year in the designated neighbourhoods (most neighbourhoods in Centrum) or 30 nights elsewhere. Check the current rules for your address on amsterdam.nl. A long-term tenant needs no holiday-rental permit.
Is it a good idea to rent out a canal house apartment long term?
Often, yes. Demand from professionals is high and a long-term tenant gives stable income without the holiday-rental limits. The points system and the energy label decide the maximum rent, so check them first.
Who rents in the centre of Amsterdam?
Mostly single professionals, couples and students. Few families rent in the centre: only 8% of households are couples with children.
Do I need a permit to renovate my rental home in the centre?
If the building is a listed monument or in the protected townscape, many renovations need a permit. Check this before you start work on a rental home.
How far is Amsterdam-Centrum from Schiphol?
From Amsterdam Centraal, the train to Schiphol takes about 17 minutes.
Explore nearby areas
All areas · Amsterdam-West · Amsterdam-Zuid · Amsterdam-Oost · Amsterdam-Noord
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