Amsterdam Red Light District – De Wallen Sex Windows
In Amsterdam, the capital city of The Netherlands (also known as Holland), prostitution is not only legal but blatantly in your face. Walk down certain streets and you’ll find scantily clad women behind glass windows, illuminated by a red hue, trying to get your attention to receive a paid sexual service of your choice. The area this takes place is known as the Red Light District, which is also home to other sexual themed businesses. Check out my Amsterdam city sex guide.
History of Amsterdam’s Red Light District
Amsterdam’s Red Light District, or ‘De Wallen’ as the area is known to locals, is the oldest district of Amsterdam – the capital city of The Netherlands. It was built around 1385 and has been notorious for the women inhabiting its streets ever since.
In the early 14th and 15th centuries Amsterdam was a trading city with a large port. This brought thousands of sailors to roam the streets of De Wallen, looking for enjoyment in both beer and women.
Although selling sex was originally legal, this changed at the end of the 16th century as Amsterdam became Protestant and the new city council forbade prostitution. Although politicians made many threats to the men who bought sex and the ladies who sold it, the threats proved to only be verbal. As such, Amsterdam’s Red Light District became rampant with an estimated one thousand prostitutes in the 17th century.
The occupation of the Netherlands by the troops of Napoleon from 1795 onwards saw a new phase of the Red Light District. Lavishly furnished brothels opened up, recognised by the red coloured lanterns by the doors. Napoleon legalized prostitution, although to help fight the sexually transmitted diseases which were becoming rife, sex workers had to be medically tested twice a week by the police and given a red working card if they were healthy.
As Christian movements got a tighter grip on Dutch society at the end of the 19th century, there was a lot of political pressure to oppose prostitution. Whilst prostitution remained legal overall, a new rule was made and enforced by police… women must not entice their clients from inside doorways. To combat this, an increasing number of prostitutes stood from behind a window, tapping on the glass to seduce men passing by. This is how Amsterdam’s Red Light District Sex Windows have come to be.
Today, more than 7,000 prostitutes work in Amsterdam with 2,000 – 3,400 of these working in the windows.
Is Prostitution Legal in Amsterdam’s Red Light District?
Prostitution is legal throughout The Netherlands, but Amsterdam’s Red Light District in De Wallen is the most famous area for it. Anyone over the age of 18 can legally visit a prostitute. Sexual relations with minors under the age of 16 is illegal.
There are regulations set out by the City of Amsterdam and sex workers are obliged to follow these. In the Red Light District of Amsterdam anyone over the age of 21 with a legal European passport or green card can become a prostitute. All prostitutes must register with the Dutch Chambers of Commerce and do an ‘intake interview’ with the brothel operator to ensure they’re independent enough to be working. Prostitutes in The Netherlands are considered self-employed and have to pay taxes just like anyone else.
An existing and designated prostitution window must be hired, usually at the cost of €150 for a 10 hour shift. There are approximately 400 windows found for prostitution, the majority of those are in the Red Light District.
How much does sex cost in Amsterdam Red Light District?
The ‘starting price’ for sex in the Red Light District is usually €50, although expect this to increase to €70 – €150 if you want to touch the prostitute, have her remove her top, or try multiple positions.
It is extremely important to confirm with the sex worker exactly what you want before paying her. There is no need to be shy as open communication is the best way to ensure you pay a price you are happy with, for a service you want. Unfortunately many sex workers in De Wallen will take advantage of you by slapping on hidden costs which aren’t discussed beforehand. I was charged €50 simply to touch a prostitute’s breasts, because ‘touching’ had not been in the initial agreement.
There is no fixed rate for a prostitute in the Red Light District. The authorities do not interfere with the price of prostitution visits. Prostitutes are self-employed and set their own rates. Price agreements are made between the prostitute and the customer.
How much money do prostitutes in Amsterdam make?
More than 2,000 men visit a prostitute every day in De Wallen alone, both tourists and regular customers. There is never a shortage of clients for sex workers to see.
Successful sex workers in Amsterdam entertain up to 16 customers per 10 hour shift and work 4-6 days a week. At a minimum price of €50, that’s roughly €2,800 – €3,900 earnings per week after paying for the room. Condoms, lube and beauty products come out of their own pockets, although much of this is tax deductible.
Sex workers in Amsterdam can easily make more than €100,000 per year, which is a major reason why girls from around Europe happily relocate to work in the Amsterdam windows.
Do Prostitutes in Amsterdam’s Red Light District Enjoy Their Work?
It is impossible to give an unequivocal statement about whether sex workers in Amsterdam enjoy their work or not. For many prostitutes, having sex with their clients is just another day of work.
Many prostitutes in Amsterdam do claim to actively enjoy their work, and this is a major factor for why the average prostitute stays in the profession for five years. These women enjoy making themselves look beautiful, getting attention from strangers, making people happy, and of course making fantastic money compared to other jobs.
Sex work in Amsterdam is designed to be as safe as possible for the women, with heavy police presence in the Red Light District and private security, panic buttons in the rooms, other sex workers nearby, and a local authority which continuously investigate and inspect the working conditions of prostitutes. Suspected forced prostitution is take extremely seriously in The Netherlands, with customers and prostitutes alike actively encouraged to anonymously call ‘crimestoppers’ if they suspect illegal activity.
In recent years politicians have discussed limiting or relocating the Red Light District, to which sex workers in Amsterdam have been very outspoken about how happy they are in their work and how much they don’t want it to change.
Top 10 Tips For Visiting Amsterdam’s Sex Workers
Adapted from the Red Light Secrets: Museum of Prostitution, Amsterdam
1. Do not take photographs or film
De Wallen is a strictly no camera zone, especially if pointed towards a sex worker. There are plain clothed security working close-by who will happily throw your camera into the canal.
2. Do not tap or spit on the windows
The sex workers in Amsterdam are people and deserve to be treated as such. If you are not interested in buying services, simply keeping moving on.
3. Be respectful towards the women
If you are kind and polite to the women, they will reciprocate. There is no need to be rude.
4. Do not peek through the cracks in the curtains
If the curtains are closed then privacy is required. It is extremely rude to try and see what’s happening behind the curtain, and you could find yourself in trouble with security if you do this.
5. Do not stand in front of the doors or windows
Stopping and staring is not only rude, it can be taken as intimidating behavior by the authorities. Keep the alleyways clear to allow the women to work unobstructed.
6. Discuss beforehand what is and is not permitted & pay in advance
The Amsterdam prostitutes will require payment upfront. Never ask for a refund or expect a discount for a service which didn’t happen because it was not clearly discussed.
7. Never have unprotected sex
The women in De Wallen are not allowed to have sex without a condom. Even asking is considered highly offensive and will likely get you instantly kicked out.
8. Be hygenic (clean, well-groomed, sober)
Whilst it’s ok to have a few drinks first, do not enter the windows drunk. You should also ensure you’re recently showered, have decent smelling breath and pubic hair is kept under control.
9. Call the police if you suspect force or coercion
Amsterdam has a zero tolerance approach to forced prostitution. If you suspect this is happening you are encouraged to call the police, or crimestoppers anonymously.
10. Aggression is not tolerated
If the girl feels threatened in the slightest, she is entitled to ask you to leave. If you do not, she could use a panic alarm and call for nearby security. Always be polite and respectful.
