Amsterdam officially stops issuing fines for sleeping outdoors

The Amsterdam city council has officially voted to remove the penalty for sleeping outdoors from the local municipal bylaws. Although the city had effectively stopped issuing fines to homeless individuals since June 2025 following an agreement between the mayor, the police, and the public prosecutor, the provision remained formally documented in the regulations. By removing this clause, the council has confirmed that the act of sleeping outside is no longer considered a punishable offense in itself. Local authorities emphasized that this change is intended to stop the criminalization of individuals who are forced to live on the streets due to circumstances beyond their control. Despite the change, specific restrictions remain in place, such as prohibitions against sleeping in tents, vehicles, or directly in front of building entrances. Furthermore, authorities retain the right to issue fines if individuals cause public disturbances, such as littering or public urination, while certain areas remain protected to prevent nuisance behavior for property owners. The decision faced opposition from parties like the CDA and VVD, who argued that removing the fines normalizes homelessness and limits the city's ability to monitor and engage with the unhoused population.