Amsterdam increases its fight against overtourism and environmental damage. The municipal coalition now supports a total ban on ocean-going cruise ships by 2035. This plan changes earlier goals to move the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) away from the historic center.
From Relocation to Potential Total Ban
Agreements from 2024 planned to limit sea cruises calls. They also proposed moving the PTA west to areas like Coenhaven by 2035. The goal was fewer large ships near Central Station and the city center. However, last week, the Amsterdam municipal executive stopped the relocation project. Deputy Mayor Hester van Buren manages the port policy. She noted that moving the terminal would cost about €85 million and the long-term benefits were unsure. Phasing out sea cruises by 2035 improves sustainability, air quality, and liveability more clearly. This choice avoids high upfront costs.
A full ban would cause a loss of €46 million in tax revenues over 30 years. This includes tourist taxes and port dues. The coalition prefers to end sea cruises, but no final decision exists yet. The current administration will not vote on the proposal before the March 2026 local elections. The next municipal government must resolve the matter.
Current and Upcoming Restrictions on Cruises
Amsterdam enforces stricter rules to reduce cruise traffic now:
- Sea cruise calls are capped at 100 per year starting in 2026. This is down from 190. It limits large ships to roughly one per day.
- All authorized cruise ships must connect to shore power starting in 2027. This reduces emissions while docked.
- The passenger disembarkation tax for day visitors rose to €15 per person in 2026. It was €14.50 in 2025 and €8 in 2023. This tax applies to cruises stopping in Amsterdam. Passengers starting or ending their trip in Amsterdam are exempt.
Some cruise operators now send ships to nearby ports like Rotterdam. They provide bus shuttles for passengers who want to visit Amsterdam.
River cruises face separate restrictions. These rules are more limited, and the city does not plan to ban them completely.
Broader Efforts to Manage Tourism Pressure
The fight against sea cruises is part of a larger plan. Amsterdam wants to control tourist numbers and protect housing. The city aims to ease pressure on residents. It has kept a strict "zero growth" policy for accommodation beds. The city set a limit of 20 million overnight stays per year in 2021.
Key updates for 2026 include:
Tourist tax (municipal): This tax stays at 12.5% of the room rate. It is one of the highest rates in Europe.
VAT on accommodation (national): The rate jumped from 9% to 21% on January 1, 2026. This applies to hotels, holiday homes, B&Bs, hostels, and short-stay rentals. Camping stays keep the 9% rate.
New hotel construction: A total ban on new construction continues. A new hotel can open only if it replaces an old one. It must not add extra beds. The new hotel must also prove it is sustainable.
Short-term rentals: The annual limit for private hosts drops from 30 to 15 nights starting April 2026. This applies to eight central districts. These districts include Haarlemmerbuurt, Jordaan, Grachtengordel-West, Grachtengordel-Zuid, De Weteringschans, Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde, Nieuwmarkt/Lastage, and Oude Pijp.
These measures discourage mass tourism. They reduce real estate speculation from short-term rentals. The city prioritizes local quality of life over visitor volume.
What This Means for the Future
The next administration might adopt the coalition's plan. If so, Amsterdam could become one of the first major European cities to ban ocean-going ships completely. Some ports limit cruise ships. But a full ban would set a bold precedent against large-vessel pollution and overtourism that has strained iconic places.
Cruise lines and travelers face a transitional time of caps, higher fees, and uncertainty. The March 2026 elections will decide the future of sea cruises in Amsterdam. The city is clear. Sustainability and resident well-being rank above unrestricted maritime tourism.
