Wergea, Friesland: Village Houses by the Frisian Lakes

Wergea (Warga in Dutch) lies within the Leeuwarden municipality, in a landscape of canals, meres and Frisian farmland, popular for sailing and skating. Leeuwarden, the provincial capital, was European Capital of Culture in 2018 and has a university campus and hospital. Drachten, Sneek and Heerenveen are other Frisian towns in range, Groningen is the nearest large city outside Friesland and Emmeloord is across the IJsselmeer in Flevoland. Frisian is an official second language, and some villages keep strong local traditions.

Foreigners face no ownership limits. Transfer tax is 2% for homes you will occupy and 8% for other homes. Costs also include the notary, valuation and survey. Properties near water may need checks for flood defences and the state of piles and foundations, so get a structural survey. Dutch mortgages generally need Dutch income, though some lenders look at foreign employees.

Read the Netherlands buying guide and the financing page, and see the Netherlands overview.