After a korting? The ultimate guide to cheap shops in the Netherlands | DutchReview (2025)

Looking for the equivalent of a dollar store, a euro shop, or a pound shop in the Netherlands?Here’s what we know about shopping cheaply in the land of kortingen (discounts).

The longer you live here and search around, the more you get to know about the best places to shop.

Sometimes we can all feel the pinch and we just need some guidance on budgeting our money and getting the most from it.

Well, we have compiled a list of the very best cheap shops in the Netherlands, so you can get the bestkorting!You’ll be well on your way to frantically lobbing mountains of items in your shopping baskets.

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Cheap shops in the Netherlands for household items

Let’s begin where most internationals in the Netherlands begin — looking for household items.

Action

Action is amazing — and it’s honestly what saved me when I first moved to the Netherlands with minimal money and an unfurnished house.

It’s a store that sells random household items such as cutlery, phone chargers, photo frames, bed linen, toiletries, cleaning products, and general decorative items.

After a korting? The ultimate guide to cheap shops in the Netherlands | DutchReview (1)

It’s all ridiculously cheap and a lot of it doesn’t even look that cheap if you choose right. Action has a ton of stores all over the country, so it’s easy to find if you want to shop there. 🙌

SoLow

Again, similar to both Action and Big Bazaar, SoLow provides you with cheap household goods and other items.

This ranges from things like scarves and gloves to the more adult items, such as jokey sex games and beer pong (oi, oi).

They also sell car and bike items, culinary items, cards, and decorative items. SoLow is only found in some cities though, unfortunately.

Flying Tiger

Want hippy and cool items for good prices? Check out Flying Tiger! This shop has become a bit of an obsession for many of us.

As you wander around, you slowly end up building your trolley with more and more interesting goods (some of which you will probably never ever use).

Flying Tiger is a perfect shop to fill your home with pointless inexpensive items! Worth it though. 😉

IKEA

We all know and love IKEA!

From affordable furniture to handy household items to enough baking tools to fulfil your dreams of turning into a regular Martha Stewart, this Swedish superstore is a great option for internationals on a budget.

Plus they sell the best meatballs. I shall say no more. 👀

Cheap supermarkets in the Netherlands

Once you’ve got yourself some cheap shelves, it’s time to fill them with affordable food! Let’s talk about affordable supermarkets in the Netherlands.

Aldi

If you’re looking for the cheapest supermarket, head to Aldi.

READ MORE |The ultimate guide to the cheapest supermarkets in the Netherlands

Aldi is honestly dirt cheap and good for the essentials, such as bread, milk, chopped tomatoes, sauces, butter, etc. If you’re strapped for cash, head to Aldi to do your shop!

Lidl

Lidl is ever so slightly more expensive than Aldi, but with a bigger and better range of food.

The supermarket also does special weeks, so it’s perfect for internationals looking for certain cuisines or ingredients they can’t find at their local Aldi.

After a korting? The ultimate guide to cheap shops in the Netherlands | DutchReview (2)

The other week they had ‘British week’ and I raided Lidl about four times to buy back-bacon, sticky toffee pudding, and cheddar cheese like an animal.

So it’s worth checking out what food they are stocking every week!

TIP: Lidl also sells some pretty nice furniture online if you’re after some inexpensive furniture.

Cheap shops in the Netherlands for clothing

The next step as an international in the Netherlands may be to reinvent yourself in order to romanticise your experience of living in a new country — and how do you do that? New clothes of course!

But please, make them affordable.

Primark

Most people know what Primark is and thankfully they have it here in the Netherlands! Primark is good if you need something cheap and cheerful to wear.

READ MORE | 11 ways to live waste-free in the Netherlands

They also sell some household goods and duvet covers to decorate your home with.

Primark stores are mainly concentrated in Holland, so you may have to travel a bit further afield if you’re right in the north.

C&A

When it comes to building up your wardrobe with staple pieces and affordable knits to get you through winter, C&A is an excellent option for budget-conscious shoppers.

After a korting? The ultimate guide to cheap shops in the Netherlands | DutchReview (3)

There are some really nice clothes in there and the sales are really good too, so have a shop around and you might find something really good.

Definitely a shop to check out for some nice, yet inexpensive clothes.

Zeeman

Carrying both clothes and household items in their stores, Zeeman is a relatively inexpensive option for internationals on the hunt for a new wardrobe.

The clothes are items such as underwear, gym wear, t-shirts, and jumpers.

READ MORE | Great webshops in the Netherlands: the Dutch way to shop!

The household items are usually items such as cleaning products and kitchen wear. A good shop for a flying visit if you’re after a few cheap t-shirts and a bottle of bleach.

Cheap shops in the Netherlands for electronics

The final task as an international may be to find an adapter for all your electronic plugs that have suddenly been rendered useless.

There’s one main shop for finding something that both works and is cheap — that’s a hard combo, trust us.

MediaMarkt — but only when a sale is on

The best place to go for electrical goods is MediaMarkt.

They have lots of stores up and down the country so you can go to the store and see the items for yourself. The range of goods is quite extensive but there is usually some sort of sale on.

So, if you’re looking for some electrical goods, here’s your go-to. Only if there’s a sale on — otherwise, it can be a bit pricey for some items.

We hope this cheap shop guide has got you well on your way to securing yourself a great deal.

After all, what are we going to do with all those euros we have managed to save? Maybe you can buy those guilt-free bottles of wine after all! 🍷

What’s your favourite store to go to in the Netherlands when you want to save some money? Let us know in the comments!

Emma Brown

A familiar face at DutchRevew. Emma arrived in Holland in 2016 for a few weeks, fell in love with the place and never left. Here she rekindled her love of writing and travelling. Now you'll find her eating stroopwafels in the DutchReview office since 2017.

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After a korting? The ultimate guide to cheap shops in the Netherlands | DutchReview (2025)

FAQs

What are the tipping guidelines in the Netherlands? ›

The amount you tip in the Netherlands will depend on where you are and what type of services you're buying. As a general rule, expect to tip around 10% of the bill. If you get exceptionally good service, say thank you with a tip closer to 15-20%.

Where do you think that the Netherlands drew its guest workers from why? ›

The Dutch government decided to invite guest workers from Turkey and Morocco. Many (male) workers, often married with children, moved to the Netherlands. They hoped to earn a lot of money in a short time in order to be able to provide a better future for their family back home.

What happens to waste in the Netherlands? ›

Municipalities are responsible for the waste management in the Netherlands. You pay once a year for the collection and processing of waste through municipal waste charges. If you don't recycle your waste properly, you're risking a fine from your municipality.

What to do after arriving in Netherlands? ›

Things to arrange immediately after your arrival
  1. Register with the municipality. You must register with the Dutch municipality where you will be living within 5 days of your arrival. ...
  2. Apply for and activate a DigiD. ...
  3. Register for MijnOverheid. ...
  4. Civic integration. ...
  5. Take out health insurance. ...
  6. Enrol your child in school.

What is the rule for tipping? ›

For servers in sit-down restaurants, aim for at least 15% to 20% pretax. If you're able to tip more than 20%, do so for servers who went “above and beyond,” says Elaine Swann, founder of The Swann School of Protocol, based in Carlsbad, California.

Is it rude not to tip in Europe? ›

Tipping culture in Europe is very different, so there are some habits American travelers will want to leave at home. For most, tips are not expected in Europe, and it's fine not to tip at all, especially in more casual settings like bars or cafes. In other cases, though, small tips may be warranted.

Why are you Dutch if you're from Holland? ›

Because Holland isn't the name of the country, Dutch people are from the Netherlands. However, it's possible that you meet a Dutchie who is from Holland, but in this case, it would just mean that they're from either the province of North or South Holland.

Why do Dutch people leave the Netherlands? ›

Since the end of the Second World War, the largest proportion of Dutch emigrants have moved to Anglophone countries, namely Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, mainly seeking better employment opportunities.

Are people from the Netherlands friendly? ›

Dutch people are usually very open, friendly and welcoming. In the Netherlands, only parents and children live together. In general, they do not live with grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Why do you have to pay for toilets in the Netherlands? ›

Because someone has to pay the cleaner. Public toilets are seen as a service, not a right. There are some very public toilets in the cities, mostly for men but increasingly also for women that you don't have to pay for.

How to throw away glass in the Netherlands? ›

Throw glass jars and bottles in a glass container. Recycle the correct colored glass in the correct bin: white or clear glass with white, green glass with green, and brown glass with brown. Drinking glasses and bowls need to be recycled as residual waste.

Why are the Netherlands so clean? ›

Between 1500 and 1800 numerous travelers reported on the habit of housewives and maids to meticulously clean the interior and exterior of houses. We argue that it was the commercialization of dairy farming that led to improvements in household hygiene.

Can I live in the Netherlands with English? ›

You don't need to speak Dutch to live in the Netherlands, which makes it attractive to foreigners. You can also study in the Netherlands, as many Dutch universities offer complete degree programs in English. The Netherlands's internationality extends to its food, too!

Is it expensive to live in the Netherlands? ›

Find your next home in the Netherlands

Some pros of living in the Netherlands are its high quality of life, social benefits, and variety of job and study opportunities for expats. Yet, with a monthly cost of living of €2,044, the Netherlands is one of the more expensive European countries to live in.

Can an American move to Amsterdam? ›

If a person is not a national of an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland, they can live in the Netherlands provided they meet certain conditions. And they need to hold a residence permit.

Is tipping expected in Amsterdam? ›

In most restaurants and cafes in Amsterdam, service charges are already included in the bill. This means that tipping is not obligatory in Amsterdam. However, if you receive exceptional service or want to show your appreciation, leaving a small tip is a nice gesture.

Are tips included in the bill in Amsterdam? ›

The tip may already be included in your bill

Service charges may be added to the bill automatically when you're in a restaurant, hotel or bar in Amsterdam.

What is the etiquette in Amsterdam? ›

Tips on culture and etiquette in the Netherlands

Arrive at appointments on time and let people know if you're running a few minutes late. Avoid dropping by someone's house unannounced. Don't make boastful comments that display a sense of superiority. Keep small talk to a minimum at formal and business meetings.

How do you say tip in Dutch? ›

Word of the day: fooi (tip)

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