Is cannabis legal in the Netherlands?

Not exactly. Small amounts for personal use are tolerated; sales are only allowed in licensed coffeeshops.

Adults with valid ID may visit Amsterdam coffeeshops — tourists included.

No, smoking outside the coffeeshop is forbidden — fines start at roughly €100.

What about leftover product?

Don't take it across borders. Keep it inside the Netherlands and out of reach of others.

Do they actually serve coffee?

Yes — plus tea, soft drinks and usually snacks. No alcohol.

After Dark

Coffeeshops, with respect for the city.

Cannabis is sold in Amsterdam under a tolerance policy: legal inside the coffeeshop, not on the street. A short, honest take on the rules, the mood by neighbourhood, and how to keep it easy — on yourself and on the neighbours.

Updated · June 2026

ID required

Passport or EU ID card. No ID, no entry.

Smoke inside

Smoking on the street earns a €100 fine. Keep it in the shop.

5g per day

Maximum five grams per person, per day, per shop.

Start low

Edibles hit late and hard — always take less than you think.

By neighbourhood

Centrum is mostly tourists; De Pijp and Oost feel more local and slower; Jordaan has shops with decades of history. Outside the ring road, coffeeshops feel more like neighbourhood pubs — often the calmest spot for a first visit.

Responsible use

Ask the budtender for advice and be honest about your experience. Don't mix with alcohol. Stay hydrated. Don't drive or cycle stoned — a joint means one tram home, not a borrowed bike.

If it's too much

Sit down, drink water or something sugary, and wait it out calmly. It always passes. For real panic or medical issues: call 112 or walk into a pharmacy — nobody will judge you.