Buying

What Is "Kosten Koper" and How Much Should You Budget?

"Kosten koper" (k.k.), literally "buyer's costs," is a phrase you'll see attached to nearly every property listing in the Netherlands. It…

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Renting

Understanding a Dutch Rental Contract Clause by Clause

Dutch rental contracts (huurcontracten) follow fairly standard structures, but the terminology and legal defaults can be unfamiliar. Here's…

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Getting started

Renting vs. Buying in the Netherlands: What Expats Should Know First

For most expats arriving in the Netherlands, the rent-vs-buy decision arrives faster than expected. The Dutch housing market moves quickly…

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Renting

Huurtoeslag: Can Expats Get the Dutch Rent Benefit?

Huurtoeslag is a monthly government contribution toward rent for tenants on lower incomes. Many expats assume it's only for Dutch citizens…

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Renting

How to Spot a Rental Scam Targeting Expats

The combination of a tight rental market and a large population of newcomers unfamiliar with local norms makes expats a common target for…

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Buying

How Bidding on a Dutch Home Actually Works

For many expats, the Dutch bidding process is the most disorienting part of buying a home. The asking price isn't what you think it is…

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Getting started

DigiD, BSN, and Other Paperwork You Need Before You Can Rent or Buy

Before you can sign a lease or make an offer on a property in the Netherlands, there's a short list of administrative steps almost every…

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Buying

Buying an Apartment? What the VvE Means for You

If you buy an apartment in the Netherlands, you're not just buying a home - you're buying into a Vereniging van Eigenaars (VvE), the…

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