Even though renting in the Netherlands offers flexibility and certain rights, buying a property is considered a good financial investment. Indeed, nearly 70% of the Dutch population live in owner-occupied homes. Before you can start the process of purchasing property, however, there are a lot of things to take into account.
The guides in this section look at different important aspects of buying a house in the Netherlands, from initial considerations to mortgage applications, paying property taxes, and getting your keys and moving in.
Purchasing property in the Netherlands
In principle, all foreigners are eligible to purchase property in the Netherlands, whether they live here or abroad, and no matter what type of residence permit they hold. However, the more secure your position (i.e. if you have a permanent work contract or hold permanent residency), the more choices open up to you in terms of financing.
Property in the Netherlands does not come cheap. In the last few years (apart from a small dip in 2023), record highs for prices per square metre have been set almost every quarter as values continue to grow. The average sale price for an apartment in the Netherlands is 8.741 euros per square metre (as of December 2024), and for houses it is 6.219 euros per square metre.
Of course, that average conceals huge regional variations. In Amsterdam, the average square metre price for both houses and apartments was around 9.500 euros in December 2024, while in Limburg the average square metre price is as low as 3.500 euros.
Why buy a house in the Netherlands?
If you are unsure as to whether you should buy a house or continue renting in the Netherlands, here are some points to consider:
- Owning a home offers you a sense of stability, security and pride.
- Buying a home is generally considered a good financial investment, especially in the Netherlands where homeowners receive tax benefits.
- Homeowners have full control over their property and are free to make decisions about utility providers, decorative and structural changes, noisy activities, and pets.
- On the other hand, as a homeowner all maintenance of the property will be your responsibility. This requires both time and money to keep the property in good condition.
Property buying checklist
Buying a house is an important financial decision, so it’s crucial to prepare yourself by doing some research beforehand. Here is a checklist of all the things you should consider when buying a house in the Netherlands:
- Financial requirements: Before you start house-hunting, you need a good idea of what you can afford. Calculate your current expenditure on food, childcare and insurance. Would you be able to take out a Dutch mortgage and, if so, how much would your monthly repayments be? Would they be affordable alongside your other outgoings? Do you need to save up for a deposit?
- Mortgage requirements: Do you meet the requirements to apply for a mortgage in the Netherlands? Consult with an advisor to get an estimate of your maximum budget before you start viewing properties.
- Where to buy: You may be thinking about buying a property in one of the major Dutch cities, but properties further afield are generally much more affordable. Ask yourself what your must-haves are, and what you would be willing to compromise on. Do you need to be close to amenities like schools and public transport? Are you willing to sacrifice space to be nearer the city centre?
- Utilities and additional costs: Consider how much the house would cost to run? If you’re buying an apartment, does the building charge additional costs or service charges? How much is the current owner spending on things like energy, water and the phone line? What is the internet connection like?
- Buy-to-let properties: If you’re buying with the intention of renting out the property, you need to consider how much rent you could charge. Are there tenants already living in the property?
House-hunting in the Netherlands: Hints & tips
If you are satisfied that you can afford a home purchase and are ready to start house-hunting, consider the following points for each property you view:
- View the house during daytime to spot problems and if you are really interested, visit again at a different time of the day.
- Try not to view too many houses in one day.
- Keep detailed notes regarding the places you visit.
- Take your time and do not hesitate to ask as many relevant questions as possible.
- Inspect the neighbourhood.
- Seasonality could be an important factor; demand may be a bit lower during winter and autumn.
- During negotiations stay polite, cool and clearly show that you are fully informed.
- Do not get too attached to one property - it can cause you to make an emotional rather than a rational decision.
- Avoid complicated procedures like bidding wars and sealed envelopes.
- Build a solid relationship with the seller. It could well be the case that there are many potential buyers like you so you need to stand out from the crowd.
For each property you view, be sure to ask the following questions:
- Who owns the property and why are they moving out?
- How many others are interested in the same property?
- How quickly does the seller need to sell?
- How long has the house been on the market?
- Are home renovations necessary?
If you don’t have the time to track down a suitable house to buy and do all the subsequent negotiations, perhaps it’s a good idea to contact a real estate agent. It will save you a lot of time.
Real estate agents in the Netherlands
If you're looking to buy rather than rent, and of you don’t have the time to track down a suitable house to buy and do all the subsequent negotiations, perhaps it’s a good idea to contact a real estate agent. It will save you a lot of time. Find out how real estate agents in the Netherlands work.
Mortgage advisors in the Netherlands
If you’re thinking about applying for a mortgage, it’s worthwhile consulting with an English-speaking mortgage advisor in the Netherlands. Not only can mortgage brokers offer you tailored advice and compare offers from multiple lenders at once to find you the best deal, but they can also guide you through the whole application process.
Mortgages in the Netherlands
Most people buying a home in the Netherlands will need a mortgage to cover (at least part of) the purchase price. What are the specific requirements to get a mortgage in the Netherlands? What types of mortgages are there to choose from, and how much would taking out a Dutch mortgage cost? Read our guide to mortgages in the Netherlands to learn more.
Mortgage tax deductions
People who own their own homes in the Netherlands can take advantage of a major tax break and deduct their mortgage interest from their taxable income, along with other costs associated with the purchase of a home. Find out more about how the Dutch government supports home purchases in our guide to mortgage tax deductions in the Netherlands.
Taxes & costs involved in buying a house in the Netherlands
As you can imagine, buying a house in the Netherlands isn’t simply a matter of taking out a mortgage and managing your monthly repayments. There are a lot of costs involved. Make sure you are aware of the financial implications by reading our guide to the taxes and costs associated with buying a house in the Netherlands.
WOZ value
If you're buying a house in the Netherlands, you will almost certainly come across the word "WOZ value" (property value). Understand exactly what is meant by a property's WOZ value, and how it impacts your finances, in our guide to the WOZ value in the Netherlands.
Buying a house to rent out
Foreigners can purchase property in the Netherlands, whether they remain residents or live remotely. This means you do not have to sell your house if you return home or have to leave the country. You can rent it out for extra income instead. Note however that rental contracts are pro-tenant, so make sure that you know what your obligations are as a landlord and what you can expect from your tenants.
Tax-free parental gifts
Prior to 2024, parents were able to make use of the parental gift tax exemption (schenkinsvrijstelling) to give their children up to 106.671 euros to go towards the purchase of a house. This exemption now no longer exists.
However, parents can make use of the one-time gift tax exemption (verhoogde vrijstelling), which can be used only once in someone’s lifetime. In 2024, the amount is 31.813 euros for a purpose of your own choosing. If you are not able to make use of the one-time tax exemption, you can make use of the yearly tax exemption (jaarlijkse vrijstelling). In 2024, parents may give 6.633 euros tax-free to their child.
Home insurance in the Netherlands
Buying your own place in the Netherlands? You’ll want to think about taking out home insurance. In some cases, your mortgage provider might even require you to have it.
Residential premises insurance
Here are some residential premises insurance providers in the Netherlands.
Home/household insurance
Household contents insurance covers damage caused by burglary, fire and so on.