Information for expats

General Environmental Provisions Act (Wabo)

Do you want to build or renovate? Restore the foundation, construct a roof terrace, build a new houseboat, cut down a tree in your garden? Or change something else in your environment? You may need an environmental permit. The environmental permit is a permit for building, changes to a listed building or cutting down a tree, for example. The environmental permit replaces various individual permits, such as the building permit. It is possible to include multiple activities in one application. For building and cutting down a tree, for example.

You can apply for an environmental permit online or in writing.

For both options you use the national online ‘Environmental Service Desk’ (www.omgevingloket.nl). You can indicate for which activities you want to submit the application at the environmental service desk (omgevingsloket).

Online application You will need DigiD or eHerkenning for an online application. DigiD is for private individuals, eRecognition is for companies. For foreign nationals with a European login, eIDAS is required. Go to www.omgevingloket.nl. Complete the questionnaire and add any attachments. You can follow the status of your application on the Environmental Service Desk online.

Application in Zuid View the deviating rules of Zuid District before applying for an environmental permit. This mainly concerns the following: n Dormers n Roof terraces n Extensions n Built terraces (at the rear, not intended for hospitality) n Balconies n Mixing formulas for the hospitality industry n Ventilation systems

TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION

Free public transport to and from Gelderlandplein with the Gelderlandplein Line. In contrast to the rest of Amsterdam, the Zuidas has a free, well-structured public transport service. This concerns lines 461, 463 and 465. The free service was partly created by Kroonenberg Groep.

The Gelderlandplein Lines run every day except on public holidays. Due to the corona measures, there are fewer travellers and therefore line 461 runs less frequently to/from Zuidas. When the number of travellers increases from April 2021, the frequency of service to/from Zuidas will be increased to every 10 minutes. Look for current departure times (timetable) on GVB.nl

Zuidas (Gustav Mahlerplein) - line 461

Monday to Sunday 10:59 am - 11:10 am one trip 11:59 am - 15:10 pm every 30 min 15:59 pm - 18:40 pm every 30 min

Bolenstein - Line 463

Monday to Sunday 10:44 am - 6:58 pm every 30 min

De Boelelaan/Klencke - Line 464

Monday to Sunday 10:59 am - 11:10 am one trip 11:59 am - 15:13 pm every 30 min 15:59 pm - 18:43 pm every 30 min

Download the ‘Gelderlandpleinlijn’ app for real-time departure times at your stop.

Zuidasdok

Zuidas is developing rapidly. In the coming years, the area will have thousands of homes and a quarter more office space. Today, more than 200,000 motorists use the A10 Zuid, and more than 100,000 travellers use the train or metro at Amsterdam Zuid Station. These numbers will increase sharply until 2030. The Zuidasdok is invested in, in order to improve the accessibility of Zuidas and the northern Randstad, and thus contribute to the growth of Zuidas.

What is Zuidasdok?

The Zuidasdok is a planned project in Amsterdam, which includes the expansion and partially underground transport of the A10 Zuid. It also includes the expansion of the Amsterdam Zuid Station. Between the Nieuwe Meer and Amstel junctions, the number of lanes on the A10 Zuid will go from 2x4 to 2x6 and separating local traffic from through traffic. In the heart of Zuidas, the motorway will disappear underground, making space for public transport. Amsterdam Zuid Station will be completely renovated, with wider train platforms, fully covered, new metro platforms, a tram stop on the south side and a bus terminal on the north side. The existing Minervapassage will be widened and there will be a second station entrance and underpass: the Brittenpassage. The station area will have shops, facilities, spacious bicycle parking, a new, green design, and a bicycle tunnel at Beatrixpark. Zuidasdok is a major and long-term construction project. The work will cause disruption. Various measures are being taken to limit the disruption as much as possible and to keep Zuidas accessible during construction.

Making cycling more attractive

Zuidas wants to give cyclists more space. This is done because more than a third of the people who currently come to work by car live within cycling distance (up to 15 km from Zuidas). 95% of travellers using the bus, tram and metro live within cycling distance. If a small proportion of these people take their bicycle to work or school for one or more days, there will be more space in public transport and on the roads. ‘Space for bicycles Zuidas’ is working on logical bicycle diversions

during work, pleasant cycling routes, more bicycle-friendly adjustment of traffic lights and fast cycling routes, to stimulate the use of bicycles.

Subsidies for electric delivery vans, lorries, and buses for companies

You can no longer apply for this subsidy. Have you already received a subsidy? You will still have to justify the subsidy. You must have the subsidy confirmed, within 8 months after the subsidy has been granted. In order to confirm this subsidy, you must enclose: n a completed assessment form n a proof of payment showing that the vehicle was purchased n an invoice for the vehicle n a copy of the registration certificate (front and back) n for lease cars: signed lease contract, including signed SEPA agreement for direct debit (unless otherwise specified in the contract) n for lease cars: receipts for at least the amount of subsidy granted to you

Resident parking permit

You can apply for a parking permit in writing or online at one of the city service desks www.amsterdam.nl/parkeren-verkeer/parkeervergunning.

Conditions: n You must be registered in Amsterdam in the Personal Records Database (BRP) at the address where you live. The permit is only valid in the area where you live. n You must have a car registered in your name (or a lease or company car, rental car, camper, microcar, Canta or motorcycle). n You must have a vehicle that meets the environmental requirements. n You will not receive a permit if you have a parking space allocated to your home. Ask the seller or landlord if this is the case. You also cannot apply for a parking permit if you have or have had the opportunity to purchase or rent your own parking space. This does not include a disabled parking space. See below for the exception to this rule. n You cannot obtain a parking permit for new buildings. n There is always a maximum number of permits per address. n You must live in an area where the municipality issues parking permits. You will find an overview of these areas in the street finder. In some areas you can apply for an exemption for the blue zone instead of a parking permit.

Parking permit for companies

You can apply for a parking permit in writing or online at one of the city service desks www.amsterdam.nl/parkeren-verkeer/parkeervergunning/

Conditions: n Your company must be in an area where paid parking applies. The permit is only valid in this area. n Your company must be registered in the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce.

The address in the Chamber of Commerce must match the address on your application for the permit. n You are not permitted to have your own parking space. n Newly built business premises no longer receive a parking permit for street parking, regardless of the availability of on-site parking spaces. Permits for residents or businesses can no longer be issued at a number of addresses. For an overview of these addresses (the ‘zero ceiling’) go to www.amsterdam.nl/parkeren-verkeer/parkeervergunning/ vergunninggebied.

Parking permit for disabled residents

With your European disabled parking badge, you can apply for the Amsterdam parking permit for disabled residents free of charge. There are two variants of the badge: driver and passenger. When applying, you must state whether you are a driver or passenger. This depends on the type of European Disabled Parking Permit you have. It is not possible to request both variants. You can apply for the permit at one of the city service desks, in writing or online at www.amsterdam.nl/ parkeren-verkeer/parkeervergunning.

Wheel Clamping

If you have five or more unpaid parking tickets on one licence plate, the municipality can place one- or two-wheel clamps on your car at any time. The council will remove the wheel clamp(s) once you have paid all outstanding parking tickets, plus any prosecution costs and the costs for the wheel clamp. The costs for removing a wheel clamp is € 194 (rate 2019) in addition to all your outstanding parking tickets.

Payment

If your car has been clamped, please contact the municipality on: 020 - 251 3787 (daily from 9 am to 9 pm). Someone will come to you, and you will be able to pay your parking tickets on the spot by pin or credit card. You must pay the full amount in one go. Payment plans are no longer granted.

Towed Vehicle

If your parked vehicle is blocking traffic, causes an unsafe situation or is in the wrong place, the municipality can tow the vehicle. To check whether your vehicle has indeed been towed, you must call the municipality of Amsterdam on 14 020. This number is available 24 hours a day for towed vehicles.

You can pick up your towed vehicle at Enforcement and Supervision (Handhaving en Toezicht) at Daniël Goedkoop-straat 9, 1096 BD Amsterdam, tel. 14020 (open 24 hours a day). Please bring a valid proof of identity. At Enforcement and Supervision (Handhaving en Toezicht) you can only pay by using a credit or debit card. When you pick up your vehicle, you must pay the costs of towing and storage. You will pay € 373 (rate 2019) if you collect the car within 24 hours. If you do not collect the car, storage costs of € 30 per 24 hours will be charged after the first 24 hours.

Has your car been towed because it was clamped? In addition to the outstanding vouchers, you also pay the costs of the wheel clamp (€ 194), towing (€ 373) and any costs for storage (€ 30 per extra 24 hours) after 24 hours. You must always pay for towing and storage costs before you get your vehicle back.

If you believe that your vehicle has been wrongfully towed, you can object to this in writing and online afterwards. If the decision is in your favour, the money paid will be refunded. You can only pay by credit or debit card at Enforcement and Supervision (Handhaving en Toezicht). It is not possible to pay in cash. If you object to a wheel clamp, a fine, or your vehicle being towed, you can appeal online: https://formulier.amsterdam.nl/thema/parkeren-verkeer/bezwaar-maken or in writing. Please send the following information to: Juridisch Bureau, postbus 483, 1000 AL Amsterdam n your name, address and telephone number; n the date of your appeal; n registration number of the car in question; n towing slip number (stated on the invoice); n a description of the reason why you were towed; n the reason why you do not agree with the towing; n a copy of the invoice; n your signature

MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS

The Edge _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 088 - 542 13 00

Main entrance: Gustav Mahlerlaan 2970, 1081 LA Clearance height: 2.00 - Parking spaces: 370 - Disabled spaces: 4 - Electric charging points: 40 Only for permit holders and visitors of The Edge. Except weekends. The car park is open to everyone between Friday 6 pm and Monday 4 am.

Gershwin Brothers

This parking facility is exclusively for subscribers.

ParkBee Spaces Zuidas ___________________________________________________________________________ 085 - 888 07 86

Barbara Strozzilaan 101, 1083 HN Clearance height: 2.90m Please note: payments are made through the Parkmobile app. Entry and exit: 24/7

ParkBee - Zuidas __________________________________________________________________________________ 085 - 888 07 86

Benjamin Brittenstraat 13, 1082 ML Clearance height: 2.10 - Parking spaces: 36 Please note: payments are made through the Parkmobile app. Entry and exit: 24/7

RAI Parking __________________________________________________________________________________________ 020 - 549 12 12

Europaplein 24, 1078 GZ Clearance height for car parks 1/2/3/7 is 1.90 Clearance height for car park 4 is 2.70 Entry: 7am - midnight. Exit: 24/7

Q-Park Mahler ______________________________________________________________________________________ 088 - 329 51 00

Aäron Coplandstraat 8, 1082 MG Clearance height: 2.05 - Parking spaces: 1762 - Disabled spaces: 5 - Electric charging points: 37 Entry and exit: 24/7

Q-Park Symphony _________________________________________________________________________________ 088 - 329 51 00

Leo Smitstraat 4, 1082 MP Clearance height: 2m - Parking spaces: 537 - Electric charging points: 6 Entry and exit: 24/7