About the city

Amsterdam

Sustainable and individualised support from the start

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Rather than being on the lookout for “new” innovative approaches, as stipulated by funding organisations, Amsterdam’s municipal actors focus on fine-tuning tried and tested methods.

  • 2

    Amsterdam’s influence goes beyond the city level, thanks to its combination of public statements supporting migrant rights, and quiet diplomacy with the national government.

What is unique about the city?

Sustainable and individualised support: Amsterdam has longstanding experience of welcoming migrants and refugees. Since 2016, the municipality’s inclusion measures for refugees – most notably the “Amsterdam Approach” – have attracted the attention of policymakers and experts across the Netherlands and beyond. What sets Amsterdam apart from other progressive Dutch municipalities, is its focus on the intensive, sustainable and customised support of recognised refugees, starting from the first moment of their arrival in the city.

Amsterdam wouldn’t be the city it is today without the contribution of migrants throughout its history. A proactive role in the welcoming and reception of refugees is an integral part of the identity of the city and its citizens.

Deputy-mayor Rutger Groot Wassink

What is the focus of local migration policies?

Inclusion for documented and undocumented migrants alike: The "Amsterdam Approach" focuses on inclusion measures and tailored support for recognised refugees. The other pillar of Amsterdam’s migration policy is its "Non-Documented Migrant Programme". The city is particularly active on refugee and undocumented migrant social rights, access to social infrastructure and on enabling refugee involvement in policy implementation.

What are the key factors?

Proactive city officials: Pragmatic, legal and humanitarian considerations underpin Amsterdam’s approach. Amsterdam’s proactive administration and political officials cooperate with the city’s civil society groups. These groups also put pressure on the municipality and propose new and sustainable solutions for a more inclusive city for all Amsterdammers.

What are the greatest achievements so far?

Increased labour market participation and a programme for undocumented migrants: Labour market participation among Amsterdam’s refugees increased from 31% in 2017 to 37% in 2020 – about 10% above the national average. Moreover, as of 2020, the labour market participation of refugee women in Amsterdam (19%) is higher than in any other major Dutch city (5-11%). In 2018, the newly appointed municipal executive board announced plans to secure the city’s exemplary projects for arrivals granted refugee status through structural funding. They also announced an ambitious “Undocumented Migrant Programme”, which involves undocumented migrants as well as 25 civil society organisations. The story of Amsterdam’s “Undocumented Migrant Programme” is evidence of the municipality’s new political commitment to strengthening cooperation with civil society groups to, for example, jointly coordinate shelters.

Amsterdam-Fahrrad
© Municipality of Amsterdam

Political activities and advocacy beyond the city level

In the Netherlands, Amsterdam is at the forefront of municipal advocacy. For instance, it has focused on housing those granted official refugee status and relocating refugees from Europe’s border camps. Beyond Dutch borders, Amsterdam collaborates with Athens, Barcelona and Berlin through city partnerships. The city’s journey to becoming a city of solidarity cannot be pinned down to just one historical milestone. Rather it is the result of a general commitment articulated by its (deputy) mayors and consolidated through international partnerships, network, and (quiet) diplomacy within the Netherlands and beyond.

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Download the full city report

The city report contains more information about the city’s migration and inclusion policies and selected local approaches. Report from 2021, updated in 2023.

Download Report