You want to perform on the streets of Amsterdam?

In this section you can read what we think you need to know if you want to perform your street theatre show in Amsterdam yourself; the legal stuff, as well as the practical stuff.

STREET MUSICIANS:
Everything in this section is meant for street theatre performers with a socalled circle show. Legally and practically things are different for busking musicians, so check out this page.

NON-EU PERFORMERS:
To us performers, we are all equal. But legally, things are not the same for European and non-European performers. However, non-EU performers can perform in Amsterdam. Read on.

This page has three sections you can jump to:
License-free performing
License-free performing using voice amplification
Licensed performing

License-free performing

Since the change of the Amsterdam by-law, one does NOT need a license to perform street theatre in the streets of Amsterdam. This is regardless whether the performer is a EU citizen or not; anybody can perform freely.

However, this is the basic situation, appying only to a very basic show. Without a license, you may perform
A maximum of one show per day on the same spot,
A maximum of 30 minutes for that show,
You may NOT use any kind of percussion instruments or amplification (except for voice amplification, see below),
You may not use any dangerous props, like fire torches, machetes, chainsaws, etc.,
You may not perform in the evening after 23.00.

License-free performing using voice amplification

Formally, any kind of amplification is not allowed without a license. However, after the try-out during 2008 and 2009, some amplification is allowed also without a license, within certain boundaries. This is done through a socalled 'gedoogbrief' (letter of allowance) of the Mayor.

The restrictions are:
Only amplification of the performer's voice is allowed; music or singing remains forbidden,
The sound level does not exceed 74 dB(A) at 8 meter from the speaker,
The sound level should not exceed the surrounding noise on the spot,
Amplification is allowed only as long as this is part of a street theatre performance,
Allowance only applies to the center of Amsterdam, except what is marked purple on the map with forbidden streets (PDF, 1.9MB).

The police and the socalled 'Handhaving' should know about this and cause no trouble. However, in reality trouble still occurs now and then. So, performers without a license who want to use voice amplification are advised to carry a printout of this 'gedoogbrief' when performing.

This 'gedoogbrief' can be downloaded here (PDF, 492 kB). The file should open in a new separate window or tab - if not, go back with the browser's back-button to return to this site.

NOTE: It took two years of try-out before the policy was prolonged for undefined time. Apparently there were some complaints in 2008 and also in 2009 the partial city council had doubts and reluctancies. Nevertheless, the 'gedoogbrief' has been extended for undefined time anyway.

But: "undefined time" does not automatically mean "forever". The allowance can be withdrawn at any time. Just like before, all performers are strongly requested to avoid ANY complaints. If there are no complaints, there is no reason for the city council to withdraw the 'gedoogbrief' policy.

Let's all be professional!

Licensed performing

Nowadays, most performers need some kind of socalled 'special allowances', like using fire torches, juggling machetes, etc.. Also, circle shows typically need more time per show and since those circle shows can be performed only on the two main spots in town, you might want the possibility to perform twice per day on the same spot. For these situations one still needs a license. As of 2018, applying for a license can be done only on-line.

Due to national laws, only a EU-performer can obtain such a license. With a EU-performer we mean anybody with a European Union passport, or with a residency or work permit.

There are TWO versions of the on-line application, in English and in Dutch. For the Dutch version, you will need to login with DigID. For the English version a DigID login is not required.

This is what you further need:

Time. Processing your license application can easily take two months.
A digital passport photograph.
EU passport or NL residency/work permit.
Online payment method iDEAL or a VISA, American Express or Mastercard credit card.
The license application fee is � 212,30 (2026).

This is what you need to do:

Open a new browser tab and load our additional info generator. Fill out the fields as desired and generate the text. Keep this tab open - you need it a bit later to enter the text into the license application form.

The ENGLISH license application form:

Open another browser tab, load the ENGLISH on-line application form and fill it out:
Part 1: Introduction
   Just click the button 'Next'.
Part 2: Contact details
   Fill out your details. Double check if your email address is correct and working. For the phone number, preferably use a Dutch number, as we have heard the license department will NOT call foreign phone numbers if any problem arises.
   Click the button 'Next'.
Part 3: Passport Photograph
   Upload your passport photograph. Preferably use a JPG file. The maximum file size is 5 MB. Minimum or maximum dimensions in pixels are not given, but 800 x 1000 pixels should be fine.
   This is also where you can add more documents (DOC, DOCX, PDF, WPD, TXT or ZIP) if you want to add more than what is generated by the additional info generator.
   Click the button 'Verder'.
Part 4: Details of your application
   Choose for 'Circle show performer'.
   Click the button 'Next'.
   Input field 'Which city district would you like to perform?' - Choose 'Stadsdeel Centrum'.
   Input field 'Locaton:' - Write 'All centre of Amsterdam', or (if you prefer) limit it to the square you want to perform at, for example 'Dam Square'.
   Input fields Start date/time and end date/time: - Pick as start date today and end date 31 December 23:00.
   Input field 'Would you like to add additional locations?' - Choose 'No'.
   Click the button 'Next'.
   Input field 'Any other comments:' - Copy and paste the text you have generated with the additional info generator.
   Click the button 'Next'.
   Check the checkbox 'I understand (etc.)'.
   Click the button 'Send'.
Part 5: Payment
   Make the payment.

You are strongly advised to keep a copy of the confirmation of your application and payment. It is very likely something goes wrong with your application.

The DUTCH license application form:

If you prefer, you can use the DUTCH on-line application form. Note that a KvK number and/or a BSN number is NOT mandatory for applying for a license. If the application form has these fields as mandatory, either use the English application form, use the fake numbers 11111111 for KvK and 032408596 for BSN and inform us about this.

What comes next:

The license department may ask for more information. It is wise to supply them with the information asked. If their questions seem irrelevant to you, contact us.

Eventually, you will be notified about your application and you can pick up your license:
Go to the town hall, right next to the famous Waterloo Square flee market, on weekdays (Mon-Fri) between 8:00 and 18:00. Follow the signs to 'Stadsloket'. In this hall, go to the desk for appointments ('Afsprakenbalie') and mention you are coming to pick up a street performing license. They will give you a follow-up number for counter 27-29, which are at the back of the hall.

IMPORTANT: If you haven't heard anything for 8 weeks, if your license is wrong one way or another, or even being refused, it wouldn't be the first time and most likely be unlawful. In such case, contact us. We may be able to help you, tactically or legally.

Further note this:

You may not just perform everywhere (with or without license). Leidseplein and Dam Square are no problem though. If you want to play other, smaller pitches around town, pick any spot which is NOT marked purple on the map with forbidden streets (PDF, 1.9MB).
Fire spitting or fire chain swinging is not allowed. If you use other fire sources, make sure the pavement is clean of any kind of fuel after the show.
For amplification the maximum sound level is 74dB(A) at 8 meters distance. Voice amplication can be used throughout the show.
You may not perform in the evening after 23.00.
Liability insurance is not mandatory. But, at all times, the performer remains liable for any damages caused during the show, to inviduals or the environment. Guarantee the safety of your audience and participants at all times!

On the pitch

The shared pitches are further regulated by the performers themselves. Be social and professional, and things will be fine. If you want to perform on those pitches, look and ask around how things are done practically. Some of it we have written here.