Best Cities in the Netherlands for Expats in 2026

Amsterdam is not automatically the answer. Its rental market is 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, Pararius and Huurwoningen.nl 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 a big-city social life 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 is the largest city in the Netherlands (Statistics Netherlands) and has many international employers, expat networks, international schools and English-speaking services. 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.

Amsterdam is right for you if: You are moving for a specific international job, you want a big-city social life 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.

Large parts of the city centre were destroyed in the bombing of 14 May 1940 and rebuilt (Rotterdam City Archives), and the municipality calls the centre unusual by Dutch standards for its post-war urban design, architecture and skyline. 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 port, which the Port of Rotterdam Authority describes as the largest in Europe, is linked to jobs in logistics and shipping. Check which working language applies with your employer.

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 home to international organisations: the International Court of Justice (at the Peace Palace), the International Criminal Court and Europol are based here (each organisation’s own website). If you work in diplomacy, international law, government or an NGO, The Hague is an obvious option. The city also includes the seaside district of Scheveningen.

If you do not work for government or an international organisation, check the local job market in your field before you choose The Hague.

The Hague is right for you if: You work in government, diplomacy, international law or an NGO.

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 directly with each 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 Utrecht Centraal has direct trains to many other cities, so you get a smaller city than Amsterdam or Rotterdam without being cut off from the larger job markets (check ns.nl for journey times).

The city is home to Utrecht University. Check the local job market in your field before you move.

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 (international headquarters in Eindhoven) and DAF Trucks (production in Eindhoven) are among the companies in the region, which is known as Brainport. Check which working language applies and what relocation support your own employer offers.

The city is smaller than Amsterdam or Utrecht (250,896 people in the municipality; Statistics Netherlands, end of September 2026). The Dutch Design Week is held here.

The downside: Eindhoven is further from Schiphol than the Randstad cities, although it has its own airport.

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 home to Leiden University and the Leiden Bio Science Park, which describes itself as a life sciences and health ecosystem of startups, global companies and researchers (leidenbiosciencepark.nl).

Outside academic and life-sciences work, check the local job market in your field; Leiden has direct trains to The Hague and Amsterdam if you commute (check ns.nl). Start your housing search early.

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 university city.

Gas extraction from the Groningen field ended permanently by law on 19 April 2024 (Rijksoverheid). Outside the university, check the local job market in your field before you move.

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 province of Limburg in the south of the country (Statistics Netherlands), far from the Randstad. Check whether that distance suits your work and travel.

Maastricht University describes itself as a European university, and the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) has its headquarters 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. Check the local job market in your field, and 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

Start with the schools: check curriculum, admission rules and waiting lists early, in any city. The Hague is the natural choice if your employer is an international organisation.

Best on a budget

We do not rank cities by rent, because we have no official rent figure per city. Compare current listings in each city you are considering, 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 two largest cities in the Netherlands (Statistics Netherlands).

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 (ns.nl), an option if you work in Amsterdam but want a smaller home base.

Almere — A city in the province of Flevoland (Statistics Netherlands) with trains to Amsterdam Zuid (ns.nl). It can work as a commuter base if Amsterdam is your job market.

Amstelveen — Sits directly south of Amsterdam and is connected to it by tram line 25, which replaced the former metro/sneltram 51 in December 2020 (GVB). Companies in the Schiphol corridor and Amsterdam’s southern business district are within reach.

Tilburg — A city in North Brabant (Statistics Netherlands) on the railway between Breda and Eindhoven, home to Tilburg University. See the Tilburg city guide.

Arnhem — A city in the province of Gelderland in the east of the country (Statistics Netherlands). Employers include Rijnstate hospital and ArtEZ University of the Arts, which is active in Arnhem, Enschede and Zwolle. See the full Arnhem city guide.

Nijmegen — A city in the province of Gelderland (Statistics Netherlands), home to Radboud University. 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 — A city in North Brabant (Statistics Netherlands) with direct trains to Rotterdam and Eindhoven (ns.nl).

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: compare current listings in each city you are considering, and weigh rent against commuting costs.

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, Pararius and Huurwoningen.nl, 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. 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.