Cycling around Amsterdam
Lined with elegant, gabled houses and crossed by numerous bridges, the canals integrate seamlessly into the daily life of the city.

This network also enhances Amsterdam’s charm, offering unique views and a quiet escape from the bustling city streets, making it a beloved feature for both residents and visitors.

And if you keep exploring during the afternoon in Amsterdam, this is what you can find:

And if you are wondering, during the evening Amsterdam is even more beautiful:

Planning to combine bike with public transport?
Rembmer that there are strict rules for when you can bring your bikes.
A’DAM City Card
https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/whats-on/calendar/attractions-and-sights/attractions/adam-lookout
Cycling Between Cities in NL
Netherlands is a great country for cycling, but not only in its cities.
You can easily find this kind of cycle paths integrated next to channels:

Oh, and you will need one of these, but they are for rent in every city:

Probably one of the most chilled trips I ever had:

FAQ
Starting a new Live in NL
SofiNumer vs BSN vs RNI
- The Sofinummer was a former type of social security number in the Netherlands. It was replaced by the Burgerservicenummer (BSN) in 2007.
So, while the term “Sofinummer” is no longer officially used, it might still be referenced in older documents or contexts.
- The BSN is now the primary identification number used for various administrative purposes in the Netherlands, including:
- Taxes - https://thetax.nl/ (Dont forget to select properly holiday allowance and 30 Rulling)
- The 30 Rulling form can be processed in around 15-30 days.
- Social security
- Healthcare
- Banking
- Government services
- RNI stands for “Registratie Niet-Ingezetenen,” which translates to “Non-Resident Registration” in English.
It’s a Dutch government system for registering individuals who are not permanent residents of the Netherlands but have some connection to the country, such as owning property or having a job.
When you register with the RNI, you’ll receive a Burgerservicenummer (BSN), which is a unique identification number used for various administrative purposes in the Netherlands
You cannot directly choose between a permanent BSN and an RNI BSN. The type of BSN you receive depends on your specific circumstances and immigration status.
To be eligible for an RNI registration, you typically need to meet certain criteria, such as:
- Temporary stay: You’re planning to stay in the Netherlands for a limited period, usually less than 4 months.
- Non-resident status: You maintain your primary residence outside of the Netherlands.
When you register with the RNI, you’ll automatically be assigned a BSN.
This BSN is specifically for non-residents and is linked to your RNI registration.
If you plan to stay in the Netherlands for an extended period or become a permanent resident, you’ll need to go through a different registration process, which may lead to a permanent BSN.
It’s important to consult with the Dutch immigration authorities or a local municipality to get accurate information about your specific situation and the appropriate registration process.
- At some point, getting DigID would be beneficial if you plan to stay
Opening a Bank account
Banking in NL?
You need: Passport/ID + BSN Number.
In theory, you should be able to use your EURO account from other EU country.
And also in theory, SEPA and IBAN discrimination is forbidden.
People recommended BUNQ bank, as you can open the account within the App, get your NL IBAN.
You will have ~30 days to place your **BSN within the App(()) as well.
You might also hear that iDeal is the way many bank transactions work in the NL.
On the way you can see learn as well if a IBAN is in the right format
YOu see that BSN is required to get started, even to get a Vodafone SIM (ID + Bank account)