Best Cities in the Netherlands for Expats in 2026

Amsterdam is not automatically the answer, despite what most relocation guides tell you. It is expensive and competitive. For the right person it is a good fit; for others, Rotterdam or Utrecht may suit better.

Before diving in, if you are still working out what you can afford, use our Rent Affordability Calculator to figure out your realistic budget first. And for a breakdown of day-to-day costs, see the cost of living guide for the Netherlands.

💡 Looking for a complete banking comparison? Read Best banking for expats in the Netherlands 2026 — covers ABN, ING, Bunq, Wise, Revolut & 5 others by expat use case.

Quick Comparison: All 8 Cities at a Glance

Photo: Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

This is an editorial overview, not a scored ranking, and the cities are listed in the order we cover them. We do not give a rent per city, because publicly available rent figures are asking prices from commercial listing sites that change quickly; check current listings on Funda and Pararius for your own budget.

How We Compare These Cities

1. Cost of living — primarily rent, since that is where the biggest differences appear. For a full picture, read the cost of living in the Netherlands guide.

2. Job market — both the number of opportunities and whether those jobs are accessible in English.

3. English-friendliness — not just whether people speak English, but whether you can function in English at city hall, with your landlord, at the GP, and in your children’s school.

4. Quality of life — green space, cycling infrastructure, cultural life, how it feels to live there rather than visit.

5. International community — having a network of other expats matters, especially in your first year.

6. Transport links — train connections to other cities and to Schiphol, and ease of getting around without a car.

We also factor in housing availability. The Dutch housing market is tight in most cities. For a detailed strategy on finding a place, see the finding housing in the Netherlands guide.

If you want help searching, Dean is a paid rental-alert service for expats. Dean says it checks more than 1,000 rental sources and compares new listings with your search profile, and that you can try it free for 3 days and cancel month-to-month.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam fits best if you are moving for a specific international job, want the largest possible social scene from day one, or work in finance, tech or media. Its job market and international services have to be weighed against housing cost, competition for listings and crowds.

Amsterdam has the largest concentration of international employers and English-language jobs of the cities in this guide, and expat networks, international schools and English-speaking services are easy to find. The downsides are the rental market, where you will compete with many applicants for each listing, and rental scams. Read the Funda vs Pararius guide before you search, and see the dedicated moving to Amsterdam guide for a step-by-step approach.

Parts of the city are busy with tourists, and popular neighbourhoods such as De Pijp and Oud-West are in high demand.

Amsterdam is right for you if: You are moving for a specific international job, you want the largest possible social scene from day one, or you work in finance, tech or media.

Amsterdam is wrong for you if: You have a limited budget, you dislike crowded urban environments, or you are moving with a family that needs outdoor space.

Read the full Amsterdam city guide for neighbourhood information and more.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is, in our view, an underrated city for expats in the Netherlands.

The city was largely rebuilt after the Second World War, so it looks different from the rest of the Netherlands: more modern architecture and more space. Some people find that off-putting; others find it exciting.

Rotterdam is connected to Amsterdam by direct trains, which makes it workable even if you need to be in Amsterdam occasionally (check ns.nl for journey times).

The job market has a strong focus on logistics, engineering, shipping and the port sector, and there is also a technology and startup scene. English is widely spoken in professional settings.

Read the moving to Rotterdam guide for practical detail on neighbourhoods and registration.

Rotterdam is right for you if: You work in logistics, shipping, engineering or tech; you want a big-city feel; you value architecture and cultural life.

Rotterdam is wrong for you if: You specifically need Amsterdam’s job market or want the traditional Dutch canal-city look.

Full details in the Rotterdam city guide.

The Hague (Den Haag)

The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and home to many international organisations. The International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and Europol are based here, along with embassies. If you work in diplomacy, international law, government or an NGO, The Hague is an obvious option.

The overall feel of the city is calmer and more spread out than Amsterdam or Rotterdam. There is an international community built around the legal and diplomatic institutions, and the coast at Scheveningen is reachable by tram from the centre.

The job market outside government and international organisations is more limited, so if you are not working in that sector, The Hague may be a less natural fit.

The Hague is right for you if: You work in government, diplomacy, international law or an NGO, or you want good English-language services.

The Hague is wrong for you if: You work in tech, finance or media and need a broader job market, or you need to be in Amsterdam every day.

If you have children, check the admission rules of the international schools you are interested in, including the European School, directly with the school.

See the The Hague city guide for more.

Utrecht

Utrecht is a good option for expats who are not tied to a specific industry or employer. It sits in the centre of the country and is a major rail hub, so you get a smaller, calmer city without being cut off from the larger job markets (check ns.nl for journey times).

The city has canals with restaurants at water level, a large cycling network and a big university, which keeps the city young. The job market includes healthcare, education and professional services.

The housing market is competitive, so start your search early. See the finding housing guide for strategy.

For families, look at school options early and check each school’s admission rules.

Utrecht is right for you if: You value a central location and flexibility; you are moving with a family; you do not need Amsterdam’s specific job market.

Utrecht is wrong for you if: You need to be in Amsterdam daily and do not want the commute.

More detail in the Utrecht city guide.

Eindhoven

Eindhoven will not appeal to everyone, but for engineers, product designers and semiconductor specialists it is a natural choice.

ASML (in neighbouring Veldhoven), NXP Semiconductors, DAF Trucks, Philips and a cluster of high-tech suppliers are active in the Eindhoven region, which is known as Brainport. International employers in the region largely work in English, but check what relocation support your own employer offers.

The city is smaller than Amsterdam or Utrecht (248,972 people in the municipality; Statistics Netherlands, start of August 2026). The Dutch Design Week is held here, and there is a restaurant and bar scene around Stratumseind.

The downsides: Eindhoven is further from Schiphol than the Randstad cities, and the international social scene outside the tech sector is smaller. If your social life depends on meeting international professionals from many industries, you may notice that.

Eindhoven is right for you if: You work in engineering, semiconductors, high-tech manufacturing or product design.

Eindhoven is wrong for you if: You want a city centre comparable to Amsterdam or Rotterdam, or you need regular quick access to Schiphol.

Full breakdown in the Eindhoven city guide.

Leiden

Leiden is dominated by Leiden University, so the academic and research community is strong. The Leiden Bio Science Park hosts life-sciences and biotech companies.

Outside academic and life-sciences work, the local job market is modest, and many Leiden expats commute to The Hague or Amsterdam for work. That is practical, but worth knowing before you move. Student demand makes the housing market tight.

Leiden is right for you if: You work in academic research or life sciences, and you value a quiet, historic city.

Leiden is wrong for you if: You need a large local job market or an active nightlife scene.

See the Leiden city guide for neighbourhood and practical detail, or jump straight to the moving to Leiden guide for registration and housing tips.

Groningen

Groningen is a good fit if your job is in Groningen, you are studying at the University of Groningen, or you are drawn to a smaller city with a strong student culture.

The student population keeps the social scene active. English is useful in daily life, even if Dutch is more necessary here than in Amsterdam.

The main employers are the university, the university medical centre and energy-related companies (the Groningen gas field, whose extraction has ended, shaped the regional economy). The job market in other sectors is limited.

Groningen is right for you if: You are a student, a researcher or employed at the university, and you are comfortable being far from the Randstad.

Groningen is wrong for you if: You travel frequently for work or depend on frequent contact with clients or colleagues in Amsterdam or Rotterdam.

More in the Groningen city guide. For practical relocation details, see the moving to Groningen guide.

Maastricht

Maastricht is in the south, near the Belgian and German borders, and it has a distinct regional identity. Some expats love this; others find it a bit far from the rest of the country.

The old centre is well preserved. Maastricht University offers English-taught programmes and draws an international student population, and the European Institute of Public Administration is based in the city. For EU-facing roles and certain academic positions, Maastricht can have advantages.

The practical drawbacks: the distance to Amsterdam and Schiphol is considerable, and the local job market outside the university and a handful of larger employers is limited. Check ns.nl and your airline options before you commit.

Maastricht is right for you if: You are drawn to the character of the south, or you work at the university or in an EU-related institution.

Maastricht is wrong for you if: You need regular access to Amsterdam or Schiphol, or you work in a sector where jobs are concentrated in the Randstad.

See the Maastricht city guide for practical detail, or the moving to Maastricht guide for housing and registration specifics.

Best City by Situation

Rather than a generic ranking, here is scenario-by-scenario advice. If you would rather start from your own priorities, the Dutch city quiz asks a few quick questions about lifestyle, budget and priorities and suggests a matching city.

Best for tech workers and engineers

Eindhoven is the obvious starting point if you are being recruited by a company in the Brainport region. Check your employer’s relocation support and where colleagues live.

Best for families with children

Utrecht and The Hague are popular with expat families. The Hague is the natural choice if your employer is an international organisation. Check school admission rules early in either city.

Best on a budget

Smaller cities further from the Randstad, such as Groningen and Maastricht, are usually considered more affordable than Amsterdam or Utrecht. Compare current listings, and use the Rent Affordability Calculator to see how different cities fit your budget.

Best for nightlife and social life

Amsterdam and Rotterdam are the biggest cities, with the widest range of venues and the largest international crowds.

Best for fitness and active lifestyle

Every major Dutch city has gyms and sports clubs, and many people cycle daily. See the guide to the best gyms and fitness clubs in the Netherlands for the main chains and boutique options.

Best for work-life balance

Utrecht and Leiden are smaller than Amsterdam and Rotterdam, easy to cycle around, and connected by rail to larger cities.

Best for government and international organisations

The Hague. If you work for an international court, an embassy or a Dutch government ministry, it is the natural choice.

What About Smaller Cities?

The eight cities above cover most expat situations, but the Netherlands has several smaller cities worth considering depending on your circumstances.

Delft — Home to Delft University of Technology and close to The Hague by train. If you work in engineering or research and want a smaller, quieter base than Rotterdam or The Hague, Delft is worth a look.

Haarlem — Close to Amsterdam by train and popular with people who work in Amsterdam but want a quieter home base, with a well-preserved historic centre.

Almere — Built on reclaimed polder land and connected to Amsterdam by train. It is a modern city that works as a commuter base if Amsterdam is your job market.

Amstelveen — Sits directly south of Amsterdam and is connected to it by metro. Companies in the Schiphol corridor and Amsterdam’s southern business district are within reach.

Tilburg — A city in North Brabant between Breda and Eindhoven, with a university and a tech and creative sector. See the Tilburg city guide.

Arnhem — Capital of Gelderland in the east, with access to the Veluwe and Hoge Veluwe National Park. Employers include Alliander (energy), Rijnstate Hospital and ArtEZ University of the Arts. See the full Arnhem city guide.

Nijmegen — On the Waal river near the German border, home to Radboud University and Radboudumc. See the full Nijmegen city guide.

Den Bosch (s-Hertogenbosch) — A mid-sized city in the south, connected by rail to Amsterdam and Eindhoven.

Breda — Near the Belgian border, with good transport links.

For moving practicalities in any Dutch city, the complete guide to moving to the Netherlands covers registration, permits and the administrative steps you cannot skip.

If you are considering buying rather than renting, see the expat mortgage options guide — the Dutch mortgage market has specific rules for non-citizens and people with foreign income.

Getting around between cities is straightforward by train. See the public transport guide for how payment on public transport works and which routes are worth knowing.

Our Conclusion

If you are early in your career and want the widest range of opportunities: Amsterdam. Accept the competition for housing and reassess after a year or two.

If you work in tech or engineering: Eindhoven.

If you are moving with a family: Utrecht or The Hague, depending on schools and workplace.

If you work in government or international organisations: The Hague.

If you want a big-city feel outside Amsterdam: Rotterdam.

If budget is your top constraint: Look at Groningen or Maastricht, and know their limitations: distance from Schiphol and smaller job markets.

The Netherlands is a small country and its rail network connects the main cities. Choose the city that fits your work and budget first. The rest tends to sort itself out.

Wherever you land, you will need to move money during the transition: paying a deposit, receiving your first salary, or transferring savings from home. Wise can give verified customers a non-Dutch euro IBAN (Wise uses a Belgian BIC and address) rather than an NL IBAN, so check that the recipient accepts it.

Set Up Your Wise Account Before You Move →

For day-to-day banking wherever you settle, compare the best bank accounts for expats in the Netherlands — your choice of Dutch city does not affect which banking options are available, but it does affect which physical branches are nearby.

Once you have chosen a city, the finding housing in the Netherlands guide covers your next step in detail: how to register on Funda and Pararius, what to watch for in a Dutch lease, and how to handle the deposit and rental process.

What Is Not in the Rent, and the Deposit

Typically, rent does not include energy (gas and electricity), water and internet; ask the landlord what is included before you compare listings. Social housing (corporatiewoning) has regulated rents, but the wait for new arrivals can be long and differs by region.

For contracts signed from 1 July 2023 the deposit is legally capped at two months’ base rent (Rijksoverheid). As an illustration, at a base rent of €2,000 a month that is up to €4,000 for the deposit, on top of the first month’s rent. Factor this into your arrival budget.

Getting Around the Netherlands from Each City

How easily you can reach other Dutch cities matters for work, weekend trips and social visits. Amsterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, Rotterdam and The Hague sit in the dense western rail network. Eindhoven has direct trains to Amsterdam and connections to Belgium and Germany. Groningen and Maastricht are further from the Randstad, so they suit people whose work and social life are in the northeast or south. Schiphol is easiest to reach from the western cities; Eindhoven has its own airport. Check ns.nl and the airport sites for journey times and routes.