Is Amsterdam Safe in May 2026?

Unlicensed or unofficial taxi drivers solicit passengers outside Schiphol Airport arrivals and in the taxi waiting areas, then charge fares of €200–1,000 for a journey to central Amsterdam that should cost €40–80. Drivers typically refuse to use the meter, agree on a vague flat rate before departure, and become aggressive if passengers refuse to pay the inflated amount on arrival. Dutch courts prosecuted multiple drivers in 2022 and 2024 for exploiting tourists this way.

How to avoid: Use only official taxis from the designated Schiphol taxi rank inside the terminal, identified by blue license plates and a lighted company sign on the roof. Book Uber or an official transfer in advance. Never accept rides from drivers who approach you in arrivals.

Amsterdam has one of the world's highest bike theft rates. Some informal "rental" services rent bikes that are actually stolen; if police spot the serial number, you may be questioned. Rental deposits are also sometimes non-refundable on spurious grounds.

How to avoid: Rent bikes only from established operators like MacBike or Yellow Bike. Receive and keep a proper rental receipt.

Individuals posing as plainclothes police officers approach tourists, particularly near ATMs and currency exchange offices along Damrak and near Centraal Station, flashing fake badges and claiming to be investigating counterfeit money or drug activity. They ask to inspect your wallet and bag, and during the search quietly remove cash, cards, or valuables. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Dutch police have both issued formal warnings about this scam.

How to avoid: Real Dutch police officers do not conduct ad hoc wallet inspections on the street. If approached, do not hand over your wallet — ask to proceed to the nearest police station or call 112 to verify their identity. Never allow anyone claiming to be plainclothes police to reach into your bag or pockets.

Bars in and around the Red Light District charge extremely inflated prices — €15–25 for a beer — without displaying a price list. Bills include drinks you may not have ordered, and cash-only payment is insisted upon.

How to avoid: Check prices before ordering in any tourist-area bar. Leave immediately if no price list is available.

Euronet and other third-party ATMs stationed in Amsterdam's tourist centre — particularly along Damrak, around Leidseplein, and near the Rijksmuseum — use deceptive interface design to steer tourists into choosing dynamic currency conversion (DCC). Selecting DCC means your bank charges you an exchange rate 8–14% worse than the interbank rate, costing €10 or more per €100 withdrawn. Euronet ATMs were officially banned from Amsterdam's city centre, but machines persist in adjacent areas and in tourist shops.

How to avoid: Always select pay in local currency (EUR) or decline conversion when prompted at any ATM. Use ATMs inside Dutch bank branches (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank) for the best rates. If the machine defaults to your home currency, cancel the transaction and find a bank ATM.