Rental Apartments in The Netherlands. (2025)

FAQs

Is it hard to rent an apartment in the Netherlands? ›

Finding a place online will be challenging because most rental properties in big cities in The Netherlands have tens of applicants. They always pick the best tenant for the case; of course, the person not even in a country will be considered the last.

The Amsterdam rental market is known as a “fast market”. The shortage of available housing and great demand for these properties means that apartments are on the market for only a few days before they're successfully rented. This means that potential renters need to act quickly if interested in a property.

The best way to find housing in the Netherlands is to go through the most recognized rental websites: Funda and Pararius. On these platforms, real estate agencies have to pay to be able to advertise to home seekers. This system is made to discourage fake advertisements and ensure a qualitative selection of apartments.

The Netherlands has a high cost of living, which includes everything from accommodation, groceries, and services. On average, the cost of living in the Netherlands is 10.7% higher than in the UK. Owning a car is particularly expensive, with high road tax and expensive repair costs.

There isn't enough affordable housing in the Netherlands, and the housing left over isn't affordable enough. Properties designated to be student or youth accommodation in reality become a dead end for many faced by high rents and ever more unattainable mortgages.

But it's not just about the price of rent. In larger Dutch cities like the capital, Amsterdam, the housing supply is so limited that many young people like Caton and Voskamp can spend months switching between staying with friends and family before finding a suitable place to live.

There is no rent ceiling for private-sector accommodation. Check whether the rent matches the quality of the accommodation. If you are paying too much, ask your landlord to reduce the rent. If you can't reach an agreement with your landlord, contact the rent tribunal (Huurcommissie).

There are two renting options available in the Netherlands: social housing (sociale huurwoning) and the private sector (vrije sector). Social housing is means tested, and there are generally long waiting lists, so most international arrivals rent in the private sector.

Where is best to live in Netherlands? ›

With its high quality of life, plenty of job opportunities in English and the largest international community in the country, Amsterdam is the best city to live in the Netherlands. The Dutch capital is followed by Rotterdam, which offers equal job opportunities but has a lower cost of living.

The scarcity in the housing market has led to rents in the middle segment that are disproportionate to the quality of the homes, with rents way higher than €1.123, which would be the maximal rent under the Affordable Rent Act.

The rental market in Amsterdam is characterised by high demand and limited supply, leading to high competition for potential tenants.

If you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days and you are not a national of an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland, you will need a residence permit. Often, you will also need an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV) to enter the Netherlands.

Finding a suitable rental property in Rotterdam can be a time-consuming and stressful task. Due to the high demand for rental properties, it can be difficult to find a house that meets all your needs.

Dutch housing shortage rises to over 400,000 as population growth outstrips construction. The Netherlands currently has a housing shortage of around 401,000 homes, compared to 390,000 in 2023, according to research agency ABF. The number of households is growing faster than new homes are being built.

The short answer is yes. The Netherlands does not place any restrictions on the purchase of property by foreigners, whether resident or non-resident. However, to get a mortgage you must live and be registered in the Netherlands.

We can rent an apartment (or a room) in the Netherlands in two ways: directly from the owner, or using the services of a real estate agency. The second option will usually involve additional commission costs, but it often gives us a guarantee that we will not be cheated in any way by the owner of the apartment.

Is the Netherlands a good place to live? In 2023, the country officially had the highest quality of life index in the world. It is also one of the leading economies in Europe and home to many multinational companies, with English being the language of business.