Amsterdam to cut legal vacation rentals to 15 nights in eight neighborhoods
Amsterdam will sharply reduce the number of nights homes may be rented to tourists in seven neighborhoods in the city's Centrum district, and also in the Oude Pijp neighborhood in the Zuid district. The coalition government intends to slash the annual limit on holiday rentals in these areas from 30 down to 15 nights in an effort to curb nuisance from tourism, Het Parool reported.
Initially, the mayor and aldermen leading the city said they wanted to enforce the rule for 12 neighborhoods in total. The updated measure still needs to be voted on by the full City Council, but it is expected to take effect April 1, 2026.
The measure, announced by Housing Alderman Zita Pels and Economic Affairs Alderman Sofyan Mbarki, will apply to Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde, De Weteringschans, Grachtengordel-West, Grachtengordel-Zuid, Haarlemmerbuurt, Jordaan and Nieuwmarkt/Lastage. The areas are all located in Centrum. Additionally, the Oude Pijp remained part of the politicians' plan.
The city stressed that the new cap is not permanent. If the nuisance declines, a neighborhood may later return to the 30-night limit. The current citywide cap allows permitted homes to be rented to tourists for up to 30 nights per year.
According to the city, neighborhoods qualify for the stricter limit only if problems occur on three fronts at once: a high level of reported nuisance by residents, sustained tourist pressure and frequent short-term rentals. In the eight designated neighborhoods, at least 30 percent of residents report experiencing nuisance, and the number of rental nights exceeds the citywide average of 14 nights per 100 homes.
Other areas that were under consideration earlier this year, including the Nieuwe Pijp and Weesperbuurt/Plantage, will not be included after updated data showed reported nuisance falling below the threshold. Burgwallen-Oude Zijde is also excluded, even though residents continue to report significant problems.
In Burgwallen-Oude Zijde, the city will instead intensify enforcement. While experienced nuisance there is high, the number of reported rental nights is low, a discrepancy that officials say could indicate unreported or illegal rentals.
The proposed decision will be open for public review from Jan. 5 through Feb. 15, 2026, during which residents and other stakeholders may submit formal responses. If approved, the lower limit will take effect April 1, 2026.
