Buy a House or Apartment in The Hague: Prices and the Dutch Process

Statenkwartier and Duinoord are elegant neighbourhoods with large early twentieth-century houses near the dunes. Scheveningen is the seaside district with a pier, beach clubs and a harbour, and a mix of old fishing streets and new apartment towers. Benoordenhout and Bezuidenhout are known for green avenues and stately buildings; Bezuidenhout also has modern towers near the station. Loosduinen and Kijkduin offer family housing close to dunes and the beach. The Hague is also a diplomatic city, with a strong expatriate community and international schools.

Trams and trains link the city to Rotterdam, Delft, Leiden and Amsterdam. Schiphol airport is about 30 minutes away by train.

Foreigners face no legal restrictions on buying property. A typical purchase involves making an offer through a purchase broker (aankoopmakelaar), signing a contract, a three-day cooling-off period, and a notary-led transfer around six to twelve weeks later. Buyers pay 2% transfer tax for owner-occupiers (10.4% for investors on residential property), a notary fee and registration costs. Always order a structural survey (bouwkundig keuring), as foundations (funderingen) on wooden piles can be an issue in some districts.

Check the owners' association (VvE) finances for apartments. Mortgage lenders accept non-Dutch residents with a local income, and non-residents have fewer options. Our Netherlands buying guide, Dutch mortgage page and Netherlands analysis provide more.

Dutch homes are sold with a strong emphasis on energy labels and maintenance records. Ask for the energy certificate, and check whether the house has cavity wall insulation, double glazing and a modern boiler or heat pump. Mortgage interest relief is available for owner-occupiers on a primary home, but only for residents who pay Dutch tax. Banks usually require a deposit of at least some per cent plus costs, and non-residents face more limited options.

On the rental side, rules for mid-market rents introduced in recent years affect investor yields and landlords' plans. The Hague has a large expatriate rental market for diplomats and international organisation staff, but you should check the rules on rent increases and licensing before buying a flat to let. Many Dutch municipalities also cap or restrict renting out newly purchased homes.

Compare Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Haarlem, Eindhoven and Almere. Amsterdam is considerably more expensive. The Netherlands hub lists more, and our valuation tool checks asking prices.