The city of Amsterdam is governed by a Mayor, his Aldermen, and the Municipal Council. It is subdivided into fifteen Stadsdelen or boroughs to improve local governance. Out of this, fourteen have their own council, which are chosen by a popular election and Westpoort the fifteenth that covers the Amsterdam harbor is governed by the Central Municipal Council. The boroughs take local decisions while the Central City Council handles only affairs relating to the whole city like major infrastructure projects.

City Council: The systems and policies of the city are created and maintained by the City Council and Mayor & College of Aldermen. The council, which has 45 seats, is the highest authority in the city of Amsterdam. It is responsible for all vital decisions and sets the city's annual budget. The residents of the city elect the members of the council every four years. The Council that meets every second Wednesday at 13:00 in the Council Chamber at City Hall is open to the public.

Mayor & College of Alderman: The College consisting of a Mayor and six Aldermen who are elected by and from the council, holds the responsibility of the day-to-day activities of the city. The Mayor appointed by the Monarchy occupies a special position and chairs the City Council and the College of Alderman. He who heads the Police Department is responsible for maintaining public order in the city.

Council Committees: The City Council has created seven committees to discuss the policy proposals of a specific member of the board of the Mayor and Aldermen. The council committees that meet once in three weeks are allowed to take decisions particularly on the information of current affairs provided to them by the Aldermen.

Neighborhood Councils: The first neighborhoods of Amsterdam were established in 1980s with the intention of empowering them to take efficient and effective decisions of their own. There are sixteen neighborhoods of which fourteen have their own councils. However, Westpoort is the responsibility of the central city government. The neighborhood is administered by a number of councilors and a neighborhood chairman, who is elected by the neighborhood council. The council members are elected every four years by the residents of the neighborhood through an election. It is responsible for the management of public works such as road repair, maintenance of streets, parks, playing fields and cemeteries. It also makes development plans and defines arts, sport, recreation and social issue policies.