A group of Amsterdam residents has filed a lawsuit against the municipality over the high number of tourists in the city. Under the initiative “Amsterdam heeft een Keuze,” they aim to enforce limits on tourist overnight stays, capping them at 20 million annually, as agreed in 2021. This legal action comes as the city anticipates increasing visitor numbers, with only 2022 seeing stays below this threshold. The lawsuit was officially filed on September 22, 2025.
- Residents sue Amsterdam over tourist numbers
- Group aims to enforce 20 million overnight limit
- Tourist overnight stays exceeded limits since 2021
- Increased tourism leads to street waste issues
- Proposed solution: raise tourist tax significantly
- Current tourist tax among highest in Europe
The residents’ group highlights issues such as litter and a lack of diverse shops due to mass tourism. They raised over €50,000 for legal fees, aided by a significant donation from entrepreneur Alexander Klöpping. City councilor Mbarki acknowledges residents’ concerns but emphasizes that managing tourism requires a long-term approach. He notes that measures, including stricter vacation rental regulations, have been implemented.
- The residents argue that increasing the tourist tax could effectively reduce visitor numbers.
- Current tourist tax rates are among the highest in Europe, at 12.5% of the overnight price.
- Day visitors pay a fee of €14.50.
- Further increases in the tax are possible, but the city is cautious about implementation.
As the lawsuit progresses, the city may need to reassess its tourism policies and consider the residents’ demands more seriously.
Next steps include monitoring the lawsuit’s developments and the city’s response to the residents’ concerns.
