DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Dutch news & articles
Could an alcohol ban be coming to the canals of Amsterdam?
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Could an alcohol ban be coming to the canals of Amsterdam?

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Tours of the Red Light District banned in Amsterdam from AprilTours of the Red Light District banned in Amsterdam from April
Amsterdam in 2020: What’s happening / changing?Amsterdam in 2020: What’s happening / changing?
Average house prices in Amsterdam break the 500.000-euro markAverage house prices in Amsterdam break the 500.000-euro mark
[Video] The most common mistakes tourists make in Amsterdam[Video] The most common mistakes tourists make in Amsterdam
“Red Light District” to disappear from signposts in Amsterdam“Red Light District” to disappear from signposts in Amsterdam
Your chance to get a piece of Amsterdam for freeYour chance to get a piece of Amsterdam for free
New rules for sex workers in the Netherlands: Legal age raisedNew rules for sex workers in the Netherlands: Legal age raised
5 things to do on a rainy day in Amsterdam5 things to do on a rainy day in Amsterdam
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
May 14, 2019
Mina Solanki
Completed her Master's degree at the University of Groningen and worked as a translator before joining IamExpat. She loves to read and has a particular interest in Greek mythology. In addition to this, she is an avid rower.Read more

It may well be. A small majority of the municipal council has voted in favour of investigating whether or not it is possible to ban alcohol use on boats on the canals of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam municipality tackling nuisance on boats

The municipality of Amsterdam is tackling nuisance on its waters in a variety of ways. It is now investigating an alcohol ban. Should the ban go through, both skippers and passengers will not be allowed to consume alcohol while on the waters of Amsterdam. Whether or not the ban will apply to the whole of Amsterdam or just certain areas remains to be seen. The results of the investigation will be presented to the municipal council before July 1.

The municipality also recently approved new rules that limit the number of passengers per boat to 12; with the exception of King’s Day- then the regulation is lifted for the day. If you want to sail with more than 12 people on a day other than King’s Day, you’ll need a permit and the municipality will only be granting 550 of these. This regulation will take effect on May 23.

Sailing policy met with resistance

The new sailing policy has been met with resistance, with some boat owners even gathering on the canal outside of the official residence of the Mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, to protest. Traffic alderperson Sharon Dijksman, however, feels that the measure to limit the number of people on boats is necessary to counteract illegal recreational boating. Additionally, according to her, it has gotten a lot busier on the water and the number of disturbance reports has also increased dramatically.

Update: The mayor will not implement a ban

The mayor of Amsterdam has said that she will not ban alcohol on the canals. To do so would be undesirable and disproportionate to the problem it proposes to solve and would also cause legal complications. 

By Mina Solanki