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The best Dutch cities to buy a house as an expat depend greatly on your budget, work location and lifestyle.
In 2026, Randstad cities remain popular, but interest is rising in the Eindhoven and Groningen region because of better affordability and additional space.
Which cities are the best places to buy a house as an expat?
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the most international city in the Netherlands with the best and most employment opportunities for expats. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive city in the Netherlands. The competition when bidding on a property is extremely high and considerable overbidding is almost the norm.
Amsterdam is great for singles and couples without children who want to live close to the social and business center. But there is also plenty for families to do in cozy Amsterdam! Think of the many parks, restaurants, the Amsterdamse Bos, Artis, the many theaters and indoor and outdoor playgrounds.
Utrecht
Utrecht has a central location with historical charm and is very popular among expats because of its high livability. Again, prices are very high, but often offer a bit more space than, for example, in Amsterdam. Popular neighborhoods for expats are especially Leidsche Rijn and Tuindorp.
Utrecht is especially a fine city for expats looking for an active, social city with excellent connections to the rest of the country.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is and very modern city with a bit of a raw edge. The city is very international and often a little cheaper than Amsterdam and Utrecht making this an interesting option if you want to spend less.
You get more house and thus square meters for your money, with the neighborhoods of Kralingen and Hillegersberg being the most sought-after.
Rotterdam is especially suitable for families and professionals seeking space and a modern living environment.
The Hague
The Hague is actually the actual capital for expats due to the presence of many international organizations and embassies. Consequently, this city is highly sought after and often offers a better mix of houses and apartments than the other major cities.
The Hague is the city for expats who like a mix of city and beach (Scheveningen).
Eindhoven
Eindhoven is considered the “Design Capital” of the Netherlands and the center of the Brainport region. You will find many jobs here as an expat in the Tech sector and a fine English-speaking environment.
Again, you get more value for money and thus find more square footage and a lower cost.
Especially Tech professionals and families looking for peace, space and a modern environment find a nice place in Eindhoven.
Where else can you find more space and value for money?
If the prices in the above five major cities are still too high, as an expat you can also look at these alternative cities that are just a little further away, but still very acceptable.
- Haarlem & Hoofddorp are close to Amsterdam, but quieter and slightly more affordable.
- Almere is a great place to buy a single-family home, these are often built specifically for families.
- Groningen offers a high quality of life and is very affordable compared to the Randstad.
Rules for an expat mortgage
Of course, there are some rules and conditions you have to meet as an expat.
We described it in detail in “how to buy a house as an expat in the Netherlands.
Finally, we have some important tips!
- The market is still oversupplied: Demand exceeds supply in almost all major cities so you have to overbid most of the time.
- Good preparation: Expats can often take advantage of the 30% rule (until 2026), which allows them to get a higher mortgage.
- Use a buying agent: In an overheated market, local expertise is essential.
Mortgage2Go
As an expat, have you found your first dream home in the Netherlands by now or are you busy looking?
And before bidding, would you like more information about the mortgage, good advice and immediate certainty about what you can borrow maximum?
Then how nice it is when you already have the financing pretty much in place!
This is where Mortgage2Go comes in:
With a pre-checked mortgage, your financing is almost fully secured, and you can be confident that you’ll be able to afford your dream home.
Within two business days of your accepted offer, your financing is then complete and finally approved! Start an application quickly and see if you qualify.
