Maastricht Real Estate: Buying in the Dutch South

The historic centre has cobbled squares, the Vrijthof and Markt, and a famous bookshop in a former church. Wyck on the east bank of the Maas is a lively old district beside the station, Jekerkwartier is a prized residential quarter within the old walls, and Heer and Amby are leafy outer districts. Maastricht University draws students and academics, and the city has a hospital with a regional role. Maastricht Aachen Airport lies to the north-east, and Liège, Aachen and Cologne are all reachable by train or road.

Because of the border location, some buyers mix Dutch, Belgian and German property searches, so compare tax rules.

Foreigners can buy without special permission. Transfer tax is 2% for owner-occupiers and 8% for other homes, and you pay notary and valuation costs too. A cooling-off period of three days follows signing the purchase agreement. Landlords face strict rent rules in the Netherlands, so investors should read local rental regulations. See our Netherlands buying guide and mortgage guide, or browse the Netherlands overview.

Sittard and Geleen lie north, Heerlen, Brunssum and Kerkrade are in the former mining area to the east, and Roermond is further north along the Maas.