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Yes, tourists will be allowed to buy weed in Amsterdam in 2026. Amsterdam's coffeeshops are fully open to international visitors. You walk into a licensed coffeeshop like Coffeeshop Relax, show your ID upon request from staff, and are then allowed to buy up to 5 grams of cannabis — no Dutch registration required. However, new no-smoking zones, stricter enforcement, and changing regulations mean that the rules are not quite the same as they used to be. This guide tells you exactly what you need to know.
Brief summary: Tourists aged 18+ can buy up to 5 grams of cannabis in any Amsterdam coffeeshop with a valid passport. Smoking cannabis in public is prohibited in De Wallen, Dam, Damrak, and Nieuwmarkt (EUR 100 fine), see map below. This way, you stay well-informed in 2026 with Coffeeshop Relax!
Not entirely. Technically, cannabis is still illegal in the Netherlands, but the country operates under a tolerance policy — a policy of tolerance dating back to the 1970s. Under this policy, the sale and possession of small quantities of cannabis (up to 5 grams) are not prosecuted, even though it falls within a legal grey area. In practice, this means that licensed coffeeshops sell cannabis to anyone aged 18 and over. You will not face legal trouble by buying or possessing 5 grams for personal use. This policy is intended to keep the soft drug market separate from hard drugs, so that cannabis users do not come into contact with criminal networks — a principle that has shaped Dutch drug policy for more than four decades. For more in-depth information on how this system works, read our explanation of how the tolerance policy works. The Weed Experiment: What Could Change? The Netherlands is conducting a large pilot program called the Weed Experiment — a Controlled Cannabis Supply Chain Experiment in which fully regulated, government-approved cannabis cultivation is being tested. The program began in 2023 in ten municipalities and entered its final phase in April 2025, in which all participating coffeeshops must purchase exclusively from licensed growers. The first official results are expected in mid-2026. Amsterdam and Relax are not participating in the experiment, so the coffeeshops here still operate under the existing tolerance policy. However, depending on the outcomes of the experiment, national cannabis legislation may change in the coming years. We will keep this article updated as developments occur.
These are the rules every visitor must know:
No exceptions. Staff check your age and enforcement is strict. If you look young, you should expect to be asked for your ID every time.
A valid passport or official national ID card is required. Driver's licenses are often refused, especially for non-EU visitors. This is the most common mistake tourists make. Leave your driver's license at the hotel and bring your passport.
You may purchase a maximum of 5 grams per coffeeshop visit, and you may not carry more than 5 grams on your person. This limit applies to all cannabis products — flower, hash, edibles, and joints combined.
Dutch law prohibits coffeeshops from selling alcohol. You will not find beer, wine, or spirits on the menu. Hard drugs are strictly prohibited — do not ask for them. At Coffeeshop Relax, in addition to our coffeeshop menu, we serve coffee, tea, snacks, and other items; see our drinks and snacks Drinks and Snacks menu Relax!
Some Dutch cities, including Maastricht and other border towns in the south, require a weed pass that restricts access to coffeeshops to Dutch residents. Amsterdam has deliberately chosen against this. Tourists from any country are welcome at Relax in Amsterdam, just as they have been for decades.
This is the rule change that most visitors stumble upon. Since 2023, Amsterdam has banned the public smoking of cannabis in various busy zones in the city center. As of 2026, enforcement will be actively carried out and fines will be issued.
Smoking cannabis outdoors is prohibited in these areas:
Municipal enforcement officers patrol these zones. The fine is EUR 100, issued directly on the spot. No warning fee, no second chance — the grace period is over.
In any licensed coffeeshop — Such as coffeeshop Relax, in Amsterdam. Most coffeeshops have comfortable lounge areas designed specifically for that purpose. Buy it, smoke it, enjoy it, all under one roof.
In your private accommodation — hotel rooms and Airbnb rentals, provided the property permits it. Always check the house rules or ask your host. Many accommodations in the city center currently prohibit all forms of indoor smoking.
Parks and residential neighborhoods — areas outside the prohibited zones, which let's be honest is the majority of Amsterdam, do not have an explicit outdoor smoking ban, but common sense applies. Stay away from playgrounds, school zones, and busy terraces.
Both Coffeeshop Relax locations are situated outside the prohibited smoking zones. Our Centrum branch in the Jordaan (Binnen Oranjestraat 9) and our Zuid location (Vechtstraat 9) both offer comfortable indoor play areas where you can buy and enjoy without any hassle.
Never been to an Amsterdam coffeeshop before? This is exactly what to expect, step by step:
1. Find a licensed establishment. Look for the official green and white coffeeshop sticker at the entrance. This confirms that the establishment holds a valid license from the Municipality of Amsterdam.
2. Read the menu. Every coffeeshop has a cannabis menu — usually a printed card or wall display. Strains are listed with their name, type (indica, sativa, or hybrid), THC/CBD percentage, and price per gram. You will also find hash, pre-oiled joints, and edibles such as space cakes.
3. Talk to the staff. A good budtender is worth their weight in gold. Say what experience you are looking for — relaxation, energy, creativity, pain relief — and they will point you to the right product. At Coffeeshop Relax, our team speaks Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. 4. Pay and take your stuff. Cash is always accepted. Many coffeeshops now also accept debit cards (PIN), but credit cards are rare. Your cannabis is weighed in front of your eyes. 5. Take it easy. Sit down, roll a joint (or grab a pre-oiled one), and enjoy. Amsterdam cannabis is usually stronger than what many international visitors are used to. Start with a small amount and feel how you react before moving on.
For more detailed advice for your first visit, read our tips for your first coffeeshop visit.
Start small, go slow. Especially if you are coming from a country where cannabis is weaker or if you are a beginner. Take a few puffs, wait 15 minutes, and check how you feel.
Edibles require patience. They take 30 to 90 minutes to take effect. The most common tourist mistake is eating a second space cake because the first one "doesn't work." It does work — you just have to wait. Read our full guide on ediblesbefore you try them.
Drink water, skip alcohol. Cannabis and alcohol together amplify each other's effects, usually in an unpleasant way. Water keeps you grounded and comfortable.
Never take cannabis out of the Netherlands. Not at Schiphol, not on the train to Belgium, not in your luggage. Trying to take cannabis across a border is a criminal offense, regardless of the quantity.
Know the difference between weed and hash. If you are not sure what to choose, read our explanation of the difference between weed and hash. Different products, different effects, different methods of use.
We have been Amsterdam's trusted neighborhood coffeeshop for over 30 years. All our products are professionally tested in the laboratory for quality, purity, and accurate THC/CBD content — because knowing what you are consuming is important.
Whether you are a first-time visitor or an experienced traveler, our multilingual team ensures that you find exactly what you are looking for.
Coffeeshop Relax Centrum — Binnen Oranjestraat 9, 1013 HZ Amsterdam (Jordaan) Coffeeshop Relax Zuid — Vechtstraat 9, 1078 RE Amsterdam
View our full menu online or read why visitors call us best coffeeshop in Amsterdam.
