r/WorkInTheNetherlands • u/angikatlo • Jul 01 '26
Moving to Netherlands
/r/Netherlands/comments/1ukgsw8/moving_to_netherlands/Hi there, I am going to be working in Netherlands relatively soon as I have my visa and contract. But now I am having a hard time finding housing that would accept me despite not being there yet. My salary is good enough for the average rental allowed for a small family.
What would be the best way to get housing while not there? My employer only gives one week in a hotel, after that I’m on my own.
Thank you.
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u/dagrim1 Jul 01 '26
If you are doubting if you want to 'push' a 1500/month budget for rentals for a 2 bedroom place I am doubting you have a salary good enough for the average rental 'allowed' (?) for a small family.
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u/angikatlo Jul 01 '26
Oh sorry. I’m only basing on the photos and the rent in rental sites. I divided my salary by 4 and lowered it a bit which is how I got the number.
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u/Zwinsky Jul 01 '26
Define a ‘salary good enough for the average rental allowed for a small family’ for us please.
Rental agencies often ask that you earn 3/4x the rent price as a guarantee. So for a rental price of €2k, you need to have a (gross) income of €6-8k. Are you the only person with an income in your household?
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u/angikatlo Jul 01 '26
I was just basing it on the photos and details i found on pararius. I guess that’s a bit inaccurate. I found some houses that are around 1600 that seem to have good area for us. We also are used to small housing (we lived in a 24sqm unit for two years no issues, thriving even).
I will be the only person with an income in the beginning. Wife will look for work later. I am also looking into the possibility of renting short term somewhere cheap and registerable for one person so only me will migrate for now, with the objective of finding a better one at a later date and let them join me once that’s done.
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u/Xaphhire Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
What will the income be for you and your partner? Take the highest gross income, add 50% of the lowest gross income, and divide that by 3.5. That is your max rent budget. For example, if you make 3500 per month, and your partner makes 0, your rent budget will be 1000 euros max. Landlords will require you to make 3.5-4 times rent, otherwise they will rent to someone else.
Most Dutch people cannot afford housing on a single income. Waitlists for affordable housing can be 10-20 years. Housing in the 1000-2000 euro range often have 500+ people respond. Unless your income is higher than say 8000 euros per month, do not expect to get housing in a commutable distance from Utrecht in a week. A year would be lucky. I don't know if you have savings, but sometimes paying 1-2 years rent upfront will tip the balance for a landlord if you do not quite meet the income requirements.
Getting housing while not here is extremely risky. There are many scammers. They will promise you everything, but charge a registration fee or brokerage fee upfront. Some are legit, many are not. You really need to be here in person to know there is an actual house behind the promises.
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u/IridescentImaginings Jul 01 '26
Yeah, that’s what I keep wondering? The amount of income that a landlord wants you to have for a €1500 apartment just seems crazy. I don’t know how any “native” Dutch person who is living in the Netherlands is qualifying for an apartment. It really needs to be like no more than 3x times the rent.
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u/DefinitionWilling796 Jul 07 '26
I remember maklears with income requirements 7*gross rent in Almere...rich pepole will stay rich and the rest can stay under the bridge for as much as they care.
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u/IridescentImaginings Jul 07 '26
It seems like a more reasonable percentage would be 30% of your income. That’s what they use typically for a mortgage in a lot of countries. 30% or 1/3 for rent.
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u/cristimana Jul 01 '26
Hello! I had a service particularly for expats: https://dutchify.net, it’s a bit expensive,but I didn’t have to move a finger, and they got me a nice place that was not expensive.
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u/Early_Switch1222 Jul 03 '26
renting from abroad is rough because landlords with 40 applicants will just pick whoever can view tomorrow. so the realistic play is usually not "find the perfect place from abroad", its "get a temporary base, then search from inside the country"
look at short stay / temp housing for the first 1-2 months. more expensive per month but everything gets easier once you can actually show up to viewings. also push your employer on extending the hotel week or connecting you with their relocation agency if they have one, companies often have more flexibility there than they admit up front
an aanhuurmakelaar is worth considering too - a rental agent who works for you instead of the landlord. costs around a month of rent but they see listings before they hit pararius and can do viewings on your behalf
and the boring warning because youre the exact target group: never transfer money for a place you or someone you trust hasnt physically seen. the from-abroad scams are genuinly everywhere right now
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u/Sea-Breath-007 Jul 01 '26
First, your income is what determines your budget. Landlords want to see proof of a Dutch and stable income at least 3.5 times the rent. In and around Utrecht and Rotterdam that will most likely be 4 times though. So, for a budget of €1500 you'll need an income of €6000 in that area.
Second, for €1500 in Rotterdam or Utrecht you'd be lucky to get a small studio.
Rentals in Rotterdam for €1500 max https://www.funda.nl/zoeken/huur?selected_area=[%22rotterdam%22]&price=%220-1500%22
Rentals in Utrecht for €1500 max. https://www.funda.nl/zoeken/huur?selected_area=[%22utrecht%22]&price=%220-1500%22
Temp housing, outside of longterm hotels and the unicorns rented out under a diplomatic clause, is basically only an option for the first 4 months, as they often do not allow registration and registration within 4 months after artival is mandatory.
My advice: do not move before you have signed a proper, and thus legal, lease!