Italy vs Netherlands
Italy costs roughly 19% less than Netherlands, though Netherlands scores higher on both safety and healthcare, making it one of the more financially compelling destinations for Netherlands expats. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Italy is approximately 19% less expensive than Netherlands based on cost of living including rent. This makes Italy a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Italy has a FIRE Score of 55/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 53.1, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Italy is best suited for digital nomads who prioritize experience over savings.
About Italy
Retirees with steady income fare better here than remote workers chasing savings. Rent outside the center runs $660.88/mo, cheap by European standards, but income tax climbing to 43% erodes any freelance upside fast. The Elective Residence Visa requires $2,895/mo in passive income, and citizenship stays complex even after years of residency.
$1,138/mo
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About Netherlands
Best for digital nomads with high income: the Netherlands offers a self-employment residency visa with a posted income floor of $1,713/month, but check the latest application details. Safety is top-tier with a 73.1 Safety Index and a US Travel Advisory Level 2, comparable to safe US metros. The trade-off: a progressive income tax up to 49.5% on local earnings, which can erode remote-work arbitrage gains.
$149/mo
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Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Italy | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 2: Increased Caution |
| Quality of Life Index | 151 | 211.3 +60.3 |
| Healthcare Index | 65.1 | 79.3 +14.2 |
| Safety Index | 53.1 | 73.1 +20.0 |
| Cost of Living Index | 51 +9.5 | 60.5 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,017.2 +160 | $1,177.2 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $3,632.9 +576.3 | $4,209.2 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $845.17 +829.1 | $1,674.27 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $660.88 +674.82 | $1,335.7 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,474.53 +1,240.2 | $2,714.73 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,091.27 +990.54 | $2,081.81 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 285.05 Mbps | 343.76 Mbps +58.7 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Netherlands. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths for Italy and Netherlands, side by side.
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