Homes for sale in Amsterdam, Netherlands - Buy Residential properties (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth buying property in Amsterdam? ›

If you're planning on staying in the Amsterdam region for three years or more, then one option may be to buy a property. Despite strong competition in the current economic climate, you'll find there are tax incentives and long-term benefits of owning your own home.

The average price you currently pay for one square meter in Amsterdam is €7963, according to the latest figures. At this time last year, you paid an average of €7904 for one square meter in Amsterdam. That's a difference of 0.7% from the previous year.

Residency Permit in the Netherlands

Buying a house in the Netherlands without having a residence permit is not an issue. Unfortunately, it is true that you do not automatically get a residence permit when you buy a property in the Netherlands. This takes additional time and effort.

The short answer is yes. The Netherlands does not place any restrictions on the purchase of property by foreigners, whether resident or non-resident. However, to get a mortgage you must live and be registered in the Netherlands.

The average sales price of a home in the Netherlands peaked in August 2022, followed by a decline in the following months. In September 2023, it cost on average over 422,000 euros to buy a home, down from 438,000 euros in the same month the year before.

In 2023, the market saw a drop of 3% in housing prices, with the most significant drops occurring in Amsterdam, the Hague and Utrecht. However in 2024, housing prices have started going up again and it is expected that this trend will continue on in 2025 as well.

The cost of living in the Netherlands for a single person is around €1,500 to €2,500. What is the cost of living in the Netherlands for a family? The cost of living in the Netherlands for a family can range between €3,000 to €5,000 per month.

Although cost of living varies considerably due to each individual's personal preferences and situation, according to our estimations a single person would need a net salary of €1,900 to live comfortably in most Dutch cities while a family of four would typically require a net salary of at least €4,800 per month.

Relocating to the Amsterdam Area

It's easy for newcomers and expats to settle in, given the city's cosmopolitan spirit, rich cultural life and large international community – combined with a compact size to make getting around a breeze. Many consider Amsterdam one of the best places to live in the Netherlands.

The process of real estate purchase in the Netherlands usually takes up to three months. You must keep in mind that the buyer generally pays costs but some of them are not are tax-deductible.

What are the benefits of buying a house in the Netherlands? ›

A Dutch mortgage has tangible financial advantages

If you buy a home and get a mortgage, you are entitled to a tax break derived by deducting your mortgage interest from your taxable income. In the Netherlands, mortgage interest rates are currently meagre, and in 2021 reached a historically low of 1.23%.

After signing the preliminary purchase contract ('voorlopig koopcontract'), you'll need to pay the seller a deposit of 10% of the purchase price of the property. If you don't have enough savings, you can get a bank guarantee ('bankgarantie'). In general this will cost you 1% of the amount of the guarantee.

If you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, you may need a residence permit. In many cases you will also have to apply for a long-stay visa before you travel to the Netherlands. This visa is also called an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV).

The Netherlands, like other European countries, is part of the Schengen Agreement, which means that American retirees are allowed visa-free entry into the Dutch country as tourists or for business purposes up to 90 days. If you plan on a longer residency, you will have to apply for a permit.

Preparing for the move

As a third-country national who does not possess EU, EEA, or Swiss nationality, you will need a residence permit to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days. There are different types of visas, residence permits, and work permits depending on your employer and your specific case.

With low property tax and National Mortgage Guarantee, buying real estate in Holland is a sensible investment. The country has a very advanced infrastructure, and an economy that is rapidly growing and the good news for real estate is it can only thrive in this kind of environment.

Relocating to the Amsterdam Area

It's easy for newcomers and expats to settle in, given the city's cosmopolitan spirit, rich cultural life and large international community – combined with a compact size to make getting around a breeze. Many consider Amsterdam one of the best places to live in the Netherlands.

Besides, there are also quite a few tax benefits you are eligible for when buying a home: Mortgage interest (annuity and linear) is tax-deductible in the Netherlands. No capital gain tax when selling a property. No 2% transfer tax for first-time homebuyers aged 18-34 if their property is worth less than €400,000.

Property owner tax (residential): 0.0428 % of the official (WOZ) value. Property owner tax (business): 0.1796 % of the official (WOZ) value. Property user tax for tenants/users of business properties: 0.1293 % of the official (WOZ) value.