Housing

Couple looking at a house

Finding a place to live is one of the most important steps when you move to the Netherlands. You might want to stay in a skyscraper, a cosy apartment in the city centre or a family house close to a park, dunes or the beach. Either way, there are plenty of options for students, professionals and families around The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft and Leiden if you know where to look. Demand for housing in the Netherlands is high, so start your search as early as possible. Internationals often start in a hotel or serviced apartment. You may choose to rent or buy a property depending on your expected length of stay, budget, family size and location preferences. 

 

Short stay housing

If you have just arrived in the Netherlands or are still looking for a more permanent place to live, temporary accommodation is a good option to start in The Hague and Delft, Rotterdam or Leiden. Stay in a hotel for a few nights or check into an international-friendly serviced apartment in the city for an extended stay up to four to six months. In most cases, short stay apartments are rented fully furnished with an ‘inclusive’ rental price covering utility costs and local taxes. We recommend serviced apartments and hotels over Airbnb, which is subject to strict rules in most Dutch cities. In most cases, you can register at your short stay address to get your BSN, and from that point no longer pay tourist tax. Short stay will also give you a comfortable base while you get to know your new city and find out where you really want to live.

Renting a house

If you are only planning to be in the Netherlands for a few years, renting is generally your best option. In the Netherlands, the rental market is divided into social, mid-range and private housing sectors. University cities have special student housing. Most new internationals rent mid-range and private housing as social housing has long waiting lists. There are many options for renting furnished and unfurnished properties in the private sector in The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft and Leiden. 

Social housing

  • Properties with a monthly rent of less than €932.93 (in 2026)
  • For people with a maximum single household income of €51,537 (in 2026)
  • Owned by non-profit housing cooperations
  • Long waiting period in major cities
  • Register with Woonnet in your city
  • Possible to apply for rent benefit

 

Mid-segment housing

  • Properties with a monthly rent between €932.93 and €1,228.07 (in 2026)
  • Properties with a higher rent, but less than 187 points in the national rental point system
  • Owned by housing cooperations or private landlords
  • In cities like The Hague: the maximum income to qualify for mandatory housing permit is €70,149 for singles, or €93,531 for a couple.
  • Possible to apply for rent benefit

Private sector housing

  • Properties with a monthly rent above €1,228.07 (in 2026)
  • More than 187 points in the national rental point system
  • Rent is not controlled by the local or national government
  • A deposit is often required, usually the equivalent of one or two months’ rent
  • Often owned and maintained by private landlords
  • Not possible to apply for rent benefit

Tips to find a rental property

  1. Funda and Pararius have the most listings of new houses for rent and for sale. When you see a house you like, contact the real estate agent immediately to arrange a viewing.
  2. Get in touch with a real estate agent (makelaar) to help you find a house. Real estate agents often charge one month's rent as commission. Use a relocation agency to assist you with the entire process of finding a house, setting up utilities, registration, opening a bank account and finding a nearby school for your children. Relocation agents often charge a flat fee for their services. Find international-friendy agents in The Hague, Rotterdam and Leiden. 
  3. Broaden your search area outside the popular neighbourhood or big city. Within easy commuting distance you will find nearby municipalities with more space. 
  4. Activate your network for your house search. Ask your new colleagues for help. Perhaps someone is just leaving? Go to house viewings and ask for help.

Many landlords are familiar with international tenants and have English contracts and allow special conditions, such as a diplomatic clause to end a contract if you relocate again. Most tenancy agreements start at 12 months and become more flexible after the first year – giving you the freedom to end your contract with a month’s notice. This is very convenient and you are not responsible for any major repairs or maintenance. Rent is paid in advance on a monthly basis. A one or two month's worth of rent as deposit is common. Your deposit will be refunded as soon as the lease has ended. 

When renting a house in the Netherlands, you might be eligible for a government contribution towards your rental costs called huurtoeslag. This rental allowance varies based on your income, age, rent and household size. You apply at the Dutch Tax Administration with your DigiD. 

Buying a house

If you are planning to stay in the Netherlands for a longer period, buying a home can be a smart alternative to renting. Interest rates are low, housing prices are rising and your mortgage interest payments are partially tax-deductible. There are no legal restrictions on internationals purchasing property and many are able to obtain a mortgage depending on employment contract, income and savings. Before you start your search, it is worth speaking to a mortgage adviser or your bank first. They can give you a realistic picture of your budget and the options available, and some specialise in helping internationals navigate the Dutch property market. Once you know your budget, a real estate agent can help you find the right property and negotiate on your behalf. Most people use Funda to find properties currently on sale. The home-buying process in the Netherlands may differ from what you are used to, so getting expert guidance early on helps you avoid costly mistakes.

Utilities

When moving into your new home, you will need to arrange utilities such as water, gas, electricity and internet. Once you have moved in, you should notify the relevant suppliers of your meter readings. In most cases, your real estate agent can help you transfer the existing contracts to your name. Or you can opt for some of the international-friendly utility providers who offer all contracts in English. There is also a range of municipal taxes that most households need to pay for waste collection, sewage disposal and water purification. 

Metro in The Hague
A dotted wave pattern overlay.

Map out your ideal location!

Where should you live in the Netherlands? By mapping out the travel time between your work, the school of your children and other key locations, you can find your ideal location to live, work and feel at home in. Find out how long it takes to travel between locations with your different modes of transportation. The MapitOut tool helps you to make important decisions about your move to the Netherlands, such as where to live and which schools to enrol your children in.

Go to MapitOut tool

Essential steps to Dutch housing

  1. 1

    To smoothen your move, it is recommended to find short stay housing on arrival. You can already register for the municipality, settle in and start viewing houses after your arrival. You can find short stay providers on the websites of the internationals centres for The Hague and Delft, Rotterdam or Leiden. 

  2. 2

    Get in touch with a real estate agent (makelaar) to help you find a house. Working with a real estate agent can ensure that you not only have the most up to date information, but you may even be informed about places that have not yet been made available but will soon be on the market. Real estate agents often charge one month's rent as commission. Find international-friendy agents in The Hague, Rotterdam and Leiden. 

    As alternative, use a relocation agency to assist you with the entire process of finding a house, setting up utilities, registration, opening a bank account and finding a nearby school for your children. Relocation agents often charge a flat fee for their services. Many employers task a relocation agent to help you set up in the Netherlands, or they provide a lump sum for relocation so you can use the services you require. Find relocation agents in The Hague, Rotterdam and Leiden. 

  3. 3

    It is important to consider the distance between your home, workplace, schools of your children and preferred mode of transportation before you decide where you want to live. If you have children, it is best to start by looking for an international school for your children and look for housing nearby once they are admitted. On the other hand, if you choose to send your children to a local Dutch school, you can pick your neighbourhood first. Dutch families prefer to live relatively close to their children’s school so that their kids can bike to school. 

  4. 4

    Most new internationals start in temporary accommodation, such as a hotel or serviced apartment. After arrival they will start looking for their first rental house to build their new lives. Depending on your expected length of stay, family size, personal preferences, budget, and availability of suitable accommodation, you may choose to either rent or buy a property. Many internationals start looking to buy a property after their first year in the Netherlands as they know more about their intent to stay for a longer time, preferred neighbourhoods and commuting distances to work and school. Buying a property makes sense financially as interest rates are low and mortgage interest payments are partially tax-deductible. 

    International-friendly mortgage advisers can help guide you in your decision to buy. Find mortgage advisers on the websites of the international centres of The Hague, Rotterdam or Leiden. 

  5. 5

    South Holland has many cities, towns and neighbourhoods to choose from. Explore the 52 municipalities in the province and learn more about their unique charm before determining where to live. Many places are within a short commute. 

    Broaden your search area outside the popular neighbourhood or big city. Within easy commuting distance you will find nearby municipalities with more space and availability. 

    The MapitOut tool can help you by mapping out the travel time between your work, the school of your children and other important places. You can plot your ideal location to find a home. 

  6. 6

    The Dutch law offers strong safeguards for tenants, however, there is an increasing number of scams due to the housing shortage. 

    1. Make sure your tenancy agreement. includes rent, deposit, maintenance responsibility, service charges and termination procedure
    2. Registration must be possible at the address.
    3. Always view the property in person.
    4. Do not transfer money to a landlord outside of the Netherlands or a foreign bank account.
    5. A landlord may not ask key money to give you the property. A rental agency may only charge a fee if you asked them to search for you.
    6. The maximum deposit is equivalent to two month's rent.
    7. You can check you rent and contract with local municipal rental desks (huurteam) or the legal aid desk (Juridisch Loket)