Rent an apartment in the Netherlands

Moving to the Netherlands and looking for an apartment to rent? This page explains how renting works here, where to search, what landlords ask for and what to check before you sign. Homes that suit you, explained step by step in plain English.

How to rent an apartment in the Netherlands

Rented housing in the Netherlands falls into two broad groups. Social housing is rented out by housing associations, usually with a registration and a waiting list per region. Private sector rentals are offered by private landlords, investors and letting agents. As a newcomer you will mostly search in the private sector, because social housing often requires years of registration.

A typical search goes like this:

• Decide your budget and area: think about rent, service costs and energy, and how far you want to travel to work or study.
• Search and react quickly: popular apartments get many reactions. Have your documents ready before you start.
• View the apartment: always see the home, in person or by video call, before you pay anything.
• Sign the rental agreement: read it carefully and ask for a translation if you need one.
• Collect the keys: check the state of the apartment together with the landlord and write it down with photos.

Where to search for a rental apartment

On Wonend Nederland you can search rental homes without a waiting list, per city and on the map. Start at rental homes in the Netherlands or pick a city on the cities page. Create a free account and tell us what you are looking for: homes that match your wishes appear at the top, and you get a message when new homes come in. The site itself is in Dutch, but the search filters are easy to follow: huurwoningen means rental homes, appartement means apartment and kamer means room.

Want to know what renting costs in a region? The page huurprijzen shows average rents with figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

What landlords usually ask for

Landlords want to know that you can pay the rent. Prepare these documents in advance:

• A valid passport or ID card.
• Proof of income, such as recent payslips or an employer's statement (werkgeversverklaring).
• Your employment contract, or proof of enrolment if you are a student.
• Sometimes a reference from a previous landlord.

To live in the Netherlands you also register at the municipality where you live. Check with the landlord that you are allowed to register at the address. If you come from outside the EU, read about residence permits at the IND.

Check before you sign

• Is the rent reasonable? For many homes there are rules about the maximum rent, based on a points system. More information about renting and your rights as a tenant is on government.nl: rented housing.
• What is included? Ask what the service costs cover and whether energy is included or arranged by you.
• Furnished or unfurnished? Kaal means empty, gestoffeerd means with floors and curtains, gemeubileerd means furnished.
• Never pay before you have seen the home and signed the agreement. Be careful with landlords who only want to communicate from abroad.

If you disagree with your landlord about the rent or service costs, the Huurcommissie (Rent Tribunal) can help.

Avoid rental scams

People who are new to the Netherlands are an easy target for fake listings. Never pay a deposit or rent before you have spoken to the landlord and seen the apartment, in person or on a live video call. Be careful if a landlord says he is abroad and asks you to transfer money to get the keys. Check the address and the name of the landlord, and only share a copy of your passport when you are about to sign. If the rent looks far below other apartments nearby, ask why.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent an apartment in the Netherlands before I arrive?

It is possible, but always view the apartment first, for example by video call, and only pay after you have signed a rental agreement. Many tenants start in short term housing and look for a permanent apartment once they are here.

Do I need a Dutch bank account to rent?

Many landlords prefer a Dutch or European bank account for the monthly rent. Ask the landlord what they accept before you sign.

What is the difference between a room, a studio and an apartment?

With a room you share the kitchen or bathroom with others. A studio is one space with its own kitchen and bathroom. An apartment has one or more separate bedrooms. Read more in Dutch on studio huren and appartement huren.

Sources: Huurcommissie (rent tribunal), Rijksoverheid, rent and points system and Rijksoverheid, types of rental contracts, consulted on 2026-11-09.

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