🏠 How to Rent an Apartment in the Netherlands – A Practical Guide from My Experience Ankit Tomar, June 3, 2025June 4, 2025 Let’s be honest—finding a place to live in a new country is never easy.No matter where you go, housing is always one of the biggest challenges. And when it comes to the Netherlands—especially in and around Amsterdam—it can get really tricky, competitive, and time-consuming. In this blog, I’m sharing my personal experience of renting an apartment in the Netherlands. I hope it saves you time, effort, and some frustration in your own journey. ⚠️ Quick Disclaimer I’m not a real estate agent or legal expert. This post is based purely on my experience as a tenant, and it’s meant to help you understand what to expect. 📍 Step 1: Choosing a Location The good news? The Netherlands is small and well-connected by public transport, which gives you a wider range of options when choosing where to live. ✅ Key Questions to Ask: How far is your office? Do you have kids? How close is the school? Are you looking for a ground-level house (woning) or a standard apartment? How many rooms do you need? ⚠️ Important: In Dutch housing ads, a “3 kamer” apartment means 2 bedrooms + 1 living room. For me, I needed a 2BHK because both my spouse and I work remotely and need separate rooms for office calls. 💰 Step 2: Rent Ranges Here’s a rough idea of what apartments cost: TypeStarting PriceUpper RangeNote1BHK€1,000/month€1,500Exclusive of bills2BHK€1,300/month€2,600Exclusive of bills 🔍 “Exclusive” means utilities (gas, water, electricity, internet, etc.) are not included and must be paid separately. I personally rented a 2BHK apartment via MVGM agency for €1,400/month (exclusive). 🏡 Step 3: Apartment Types There are generally two types of apartments you’ll find: 🛠️ Unfurnished You may even have to arrange your own flooring, lights, curtains, and furniture It’s cheaper in the long run if you plan to stay for years Sometimes, previous tenants sell you their setup, which can help In my case, I was lucky to get flooring included 🛋️ Furnished Move in with your suitcase; everything else is ready Best for short-term stays Costs about €400–€500 more per month than unfurnished 🔄 Step 4: Renting Process Most apartments come with fixed-term contracts, usually with: One-month notice on either side Contracts start on calendar months, not 30-day cycles If you’re lucky to get an indefinite contract, you might be required to stay at least a year (unless there’s a diplomatic clause). 🏢 Step 5: Where to Find Apartments ✅ Through Agencies (e.g., MVGM) Generally more structured and reliable Cheaper than private listings But: you must register and qualify, and apartments are allotted via lottery Registration does not guarantee a house, but it’s worth trying 🔗 MVGM Housing – Ikwilhuren.nu Other agency websites: Pararius Huurwoningen 🤝 Direct From Owners/Agents Try Funda Facebook groups are super active—just search for “Indians in Netherlands Housing” or city-specific housing groups DO NOT pay anything before physically visiting the apartment or having a trusted friend check it for you 🚨 Scams are real. Never send money in advance without confirmation. 🌍 Other Platforms HousingAnywhere – Didn’t work for me, but worth exploring 👥 Looking for Shared Accommodation? If you’re new or moving alone, this is a great starting point. Easier to find via Facebook groups Average cost: ~€600–€800/month Ideal for students or singles ✅ Things to Keep in Mind Here are some tips from my personal journey: Scams are common—be cautious with upfront payments Start house-hunting before you arrive in the Netherlands If unsure about your long-term plans, go for a furnished place Apartments near city centers (centrum) cost significantly more than outskirts Indian stores are available in almost all cities—don’t worry! If you rent alone, you can register a friend at your address—but always check your rental contract before subletting Expect to pay 1 month’s rent as deposit 🎁 Bonus Tip If you like Indian-style bedsheets, bring them from India! You won’t find the same quality or variety here. 🏁 Final Thoughts Finding a home in the Netherlands is challenging—but definitely manageable if you’re patient and well-informed. I hope this blog helped clarify your doubts and gave you a head start in your housing journey. If you want to learn more about life in the Netherlands—travel, visas, work tips, or local guides—check out my other blogs. I regularly share experiences that might help make your transition smoother. Want to stay updated?📬 Subscribe to my email list and get notified whenever a new blog is published. Thanks for reading. Happy house hunting! 🏡🇳🇱 Post Views: 543 Working in Netherlands netherlands
Working in Netherlands 🎉 Moving to the Netherlands with Your Partner? Here’s My Experience with the Dependent Visa Process May 31, 2025May 25, 2025 First of all—congratulations!Whether you’re planning or already in the middle of moving to the Netherlands with your partner, you’re about to take a big, exciting step. I remember going through this process for my wife and, honestly, I had more questions than answers at the start. I spent hours browsing… Read More
Working in Netherlands 🇳🇱 How to Invite Your Family to the Netherlands (Tourist Visa Guide) June 10, 2025June 4, 2025 Bringing your loved ones to visit you in the Netherlands is a beautiful experience—whether it’s your parents, siblings, or extended family. But the visa process can feel overwhelming, especially the first time. In this blog, I’ll walk you through how to invite your family on a short-term (tourist) visa—based on… Read More
Working in Netherlands 💼 Salary Expectations in the Netherlands: What You Should Know (Especially If You’re in Tech) June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 Let’s face it—salary is one of the most searched (and least discussed) topics when considering a move to the Netherlands. While Dutch culture is often reserved about money matters, and it may feel inappropriate to bring up salaries in casual conversations or early meetings, this blog ignores all the stigma…. Read More