Amsterdam has extraordinary properties — canal houses with centuries of history, converted warehouses on the IJ, elegant apartments overlooking Vondelpark. Some could meet ThirdHome’s luxury criteria. But ThirdHome only accepts second homes and vacation properties.
In Amsterdam, virtually nobody has a second home — housing is too scarce and too expensive. The city’s canal houses, the apartments in Jordaan, the flats in De Pijp — these are all primary residences. People live in them, cycle from them, and maintain them with Dutch precision. ThirdHome excludes them all because their owners actually live there.
SwapSpace welcomes every Amsterdam home — owned or rented, canal house or modern apartment, Centrum or Oost. Your home’s value comes from its Amsterdam character and cycling-distance lifestyle, not from being a vacation investment.
What Is ThirdHome?
ThirdHome is an exclusive home exchange platform designed specifically for owners of luxury second homes and vacation properties. Unlike mainstream home swap platforms, ThirdHome requires that listed properties meet strict quality and value criteria — typically homes valued at $500,000 or above. The platform operates on a membership plus credits model, with an annual fee of $595 per year. Members earn credits based on their property’s appraised value and use those credits to book stays at other luxury properties, resorts, yachts, and even experiences. ThirdHome positions itself firmly in the luxury travel segment, offering concierge services and curated travel experiences alongside home exchanges.
Why Amsterdam Travellers Are Looking for ThirdHome Alternatives
ThirdHome is structurally irrelevant for Amsterdam residents.
Primary residences are excluded in a city where housing is precious. ThirdHome only accepts vacation homes. In Amsterdam — where the housing shortage is a national crisis and virtually every home is someone’s primary residence — this exclusion eliminates essentially the entire population.
The $595 fee clashes with Dutch value consciousness. The Dutch are culturally direct about money and suspicious of premium pricing. Nearly €550 per year for a platform that won’t accept their home — and that targets luxury vacation investors — is a non-starter for a population known for practical spending.
The credit system would create canal-ring inequality. ThirdHome assigns credits based on appraised value. A canal house in the Grachtengordel would earn vastly more credits than a flat in Oost or Noord — replicating the same property-value hierarchies that make Amsterdam’s housing market so contentious.
ThirdHome vs SwapSpace: How They Compare
| Feature | ThirdHome | SwapSpace |
|---|---|---|
| Membership cost | $595/year | Free during founding phase |
| Credit system | Credits based on property value — not equal | SwapCredits – 1 credit = 1 night, all homes equal |
| Welcome credits | Included with membership | 7 SwapCredits for every new member |
| Verification | Property appraisal required | Invite-only, every application reviewed |
| Renters welcome | No — second home owners only | Yes – renters are first-class members |
| Damage protection | Security deposit system | Coming soon |
| Amsterdam listings | Available | Growing – founding community |
Why SwapSpace Works for Amsterdam Members
SwapSpace is an invite-only home exchange community where verified members swap homes and travel affordably using SwapCredits. Unlike ThirdHome, every member is vetted before joining, creating a high-trust community from day one.
The SwapCredits system is deliberately simple. One credit equals one night at any SwapSpace home, regardless of size or location. This means Amsterdam renters with modest flats can access the same destinations as homeowners with large properties – something that not every platform offers.
New members receive 7 SwapCredits immediately after listing their home. That is enough for a full week of accommodation before you have hosted anyone. This solves one of the biggest frustrations with traditional home exchange – needing to earn points or arrange a simultaneous swap before you can travel.
SwapSpace is currently building its founding community across London, New York, and cities across Europe. Amsterdam is a priority location, which means members who join now get early access to the community and the most attentive support as it grows.
Home Swapping Tips for Amsterdam
Amsterdam is compact, canal-laced, and endlessly appealing to visitors — here’s how to swap successfully.
Canal proximity is your strongest card. If your home overlooks a canal or is within a few minutes’ walk of one, lead with it. Canal views are the quintessential Amsterdam image and the primary reason many visitors choose the city. Even a side-canal location is worth highlighting.
Bicycle availability is a genuine differentiator. Amsterdam is the cycling capital of the world. If you have bicycles available for your swap guests, mention it prominently — it’s the most authentic way to experience the city and a perk that no hotel can offer. Specify how many bikes and whether you have locks.
The neighbourhoods beyond the centre are the real draw. The canal ring is beautiful but can feel touristy. De Pijp’s Albert Cuyp market, Jordaan’s brown cafes, Oud-West’s food halls, and Noord’s creative scene offer a more authentic Amsterdam. Visitors who choose home swapping are specifically seeking this neighbourhood-level experience.
Be transparent about the steep stairs. Amsterdam’s traditional canal houses have notoriously steep, narrow staircases. International visitors don’t always expect this. Mention it in your listing to avoid surprises — and note if your building has a lift, which is genuinely rare and worth highlighting.
What Amsterdam SwapSpace Members Are Looking For
Amsterdam members tend to be internationally minded professionals, creative workers, and families living in one of Europe’s most liveable cities. Many are expats from across the world who settled in Amsterdam for its quality of life, tolerance, and international character. This naturally international community is predisposed to home swapping.
Incoming demand for Amsterdam is strong year-round but peaks during tulip season (April-May), King’s Day, and summer. Visitors from the UK, US, and across Europe want to experience Amsterdam beyond the tourist centre — cycling through Vondelpark, shopping at local markets, drinking coffee in a Jordaan cafe. Your Amsterdam apartment, with its canal-side character and neighbourhood life, is exactly what they’re seeking.
How SwapSpace Works
1. Apply and get verified. Submit your home details and photos. We review every application within 48 hours to ensure quality and trust across the community.
2. Earn and use SwapCredits. Receive 7 credits when you join – enough for a week of free accommodation. Earn more by hosting other members. Each credit equals one night at any SwapSpace home worldwide.
3. Swap and travel. Browse available homes, connect with verified hosts, and start exploring. Whether it is a mutual swap or a one-way stay using credits, every exchange is between trusted, vetted members.
Ready to Start Swapping in Amsterdam?
SwapSpace is currently accepting applications from homeowners and renters in Amsterdam. As a founding member, you will get early access to the community, 7 SwapCredits to start travelling immediately, and a say in how the platform grows.
Looking for alternatives to other platforms in Amsterdam? Check out our guides to the best HomeExchange alternative in Amsterdam, best Kindred alternative in Amsterdam, best Airbnb alternative in Amsterdam.
