Prinsjesdag 2026: what the Budget Memorandum means for Amsterdam

The Dutch government's 2026 Budget Memorandum presents significant implications for Amsterdam, as the city relies heavily on national funding. While the government has allocated 49.96 billion euros to municipal funds for 2027, this amount is set to decrease annually after that year. The city council has expressed cautious optimism regarding investments in housing and innovation but warned that the budget lacks sufficient ambition for climate action, public transport, and social welfare.

Infrastructure projects remain a major point of uncertainty, particularly the Zuidasdok, which is mentioned in the budget but lacks a guaranteed funding increase despite rising costs. Furthermore, the city is concerned about a lack of national support regarding homelessness and mental healthcare cuts. While the government plans to offer financial incentives for building mid-range rental housing and provide tax relief to housing corporations to boost social housing construction, local officials emphasize that more must be done to address the urgent safety and social issues caused by the high number of individuals struggling with mental health in the capital.