Moving to The Hague 2026: Complete Expat Guide

If I had to recommend one Dutch city for expat families, it would be The Hague. I know that is a bold statement, but hear me out: the largest international community in the Netherlands, excellent international schools, a beach you can cycle to in fifteen minutes, and housing prices that will not make you cry (as much as Amsterdam). Many of my clients end up here, and almost none of them regret it. Here is why – and how to make the move.

New to the Netherlands? Start with our complete moving guide and set up your DigiD.

Why Expats Love The Hague

Best Neighborhoods for Expats

Statenkwartier — Upscale and Central

The Statenkwartier is one of The Hague’s most desirable neighborhoods, combining elegant early-20th-century architecture with proximity to the beach and city center.

• Vibe: Upscale residential, quiet streets with grand houses
• Rent (2-bed): €1,400-€2,200/month
• Pros: Close to beach (10 min walk), beautiful architecture, international residents, Fred. Hendriklaan shopping street
• Cons: Parking is difficult, premium prices
• Best for: Couples and professionals who want an upscale neighborhood near the sea

Bezuidenhout — Near International Organizations

Bezuidenhout is strategically located between Den Haag Centraal station and many international organizations. It is practical, well-connected, and popular with professionals who work at international courts or companies.

• Vibe: Professional, international, practical
• Rent (2-bed): €1,200-€1,800/month
• Pros: Walking distance to Centraal Station, near international organizations, supermarkets and amenities, well-connected trams
• Cons: Less charming than Statenkwartier, some areas feel corporate
• Best for: International professionals working at nearby organizations

Scheveningen — Beach Living

Scheveningen is The Hague’s famous seaside district. Living here means waking up to sea views, surfing before work, and beach bars in summer.

• Vibe: Relaxed, coastal, active lifestyle
• Rent (2-bed): €1,200-€2,000/month
• Pros: Beach access, vibrant summer atmosphere, surf culture, international restaurants, Harbour area
• Cons: Tourist crowds in summer, windy, further from city center
• Best for: Beach lovers, active lifestyles, surfers

Archipelbuurt — Charming and Family-Friendly

The Archipelbuurt is known for its beautiful 19th-century houses, tree-lined streets, and proximity to the Peace Palace. Streets are named after Indonesian islands.

• Vibe: Charming, leafy, family-oriented
• Rent (2-bed): €1,400-€2,200/month
• Pros: Beautiful architecture, family-friendly, near Peace Palace and embassies, good schools nearby
• Cons: Expensive, limited parking
• Best for: Families, diplomats, those who value character

Benoordenhout — The Diplomatic Quarter

Benoordenhout is where many ambassadors and diplomats live. It borders the Haagse Bos (forest) and is close to international schools.

• Vibe: Prestigious, green, quiet
• Rent (2-bed): €1,500-€2,500/month
• Pros: Near international schools, Haagse Bos forest, very safe, prestigious addresses
• Cons: Most expensive neighborhood, can feel isolated
• Best for: Diplomatic families, high-income professionals

Budget-Friendly Options

Cost of Living

Monthly Budget Breakdown

The Hague vs Amsterdam

Overall: The Hague is approximately 10-15% cheaper than Amsterdam.

Housing: How to Find a Place

Rental Process

1. Prepare documents — Employment contract, ID/passport, last 3 payslips, employer statement
2. Search online — Funda.nl, Pararius.nl, Kamernet.nl, Facebook expat groups
3. Register with agents — Consider real estate agents specializing in expat housing
4. View quickly — Good properties are gone within days
5. Expect a deposit — Usually 1-2 months rent as a deposit

Tips for Expats

• Start searching 4-6 weeks before your move date
• Your income should be 3x the monthly rent — This is a standard requirement
• International real estate agents — VGM NL, JANSEN International, and Expat Housing Network specialize in expat rentals
• Housing scams exist — Never transfer money before viewing a property in person
• Check the energy label — Higher labels mean lower energy costs. See my guide on the Dutch energy market

Buying Property

The Hague’s property market is more accessible than Amsterdam:

• Average price/m²: €4,000-€5,500 (vs €6,000-€8,000 in Amsterdam)
• Mortgage available for expats: Yes, with a permanent contract and residence permit
• 30% ruling bonus: If you have the 30% ruling, your purchasing power increases significantly

Read our expat mortgage guide for details.

International Schools

The Hague has the highest concentration of international schools in the Netherlands:

Important: Many employers (international organizations, embassies) cover school tuition as part of the relocation package. Always negotiate this.

For more details, see our international schools guide.

Getting Around

Public Transport

• HTM — The Hague’s tram and bus network covers the entire city
• OV-chipkaart — Required for all public transport (buy at any station)
• Trams — The main way to get around The Hague (12 lines covering the city)
• Key tram lines: Line 1 (Scheveningen to Delft), Line 9 (beach to Centraal), Line 16/17 (circle lines)

Train Connections

Cycling

The Hague is very bike-friendly with extensive cycle paths. A bicycle is often the fastest way to get around the city. New bike: €300-€800. Second-hand: €100-€300.

Working in The Hague

International Organizations

The Hague hosts major international organizations:

• International Court of Justice (ICJ)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
• Europol — European law enforcement
• OPCW — Chemical weapons watchdog
• European Patent Office
• Eurojust — EU judicial cooperation
• 200+ other international organizations

Business Districts

• Beatrixkwartier — Modern business district near HS Station
• Central Station area — Government offices and international organizations
• Binckhorst — Upcoming creative and startup area
• Ypenburg — Business parks and tech companies

Networking

• The Hague International Centre — Free advice and events for internationals
• ACCESS — Volunteer organization helping internationals settle
• Internations The Hague — Large expat networking community
• The Hague Business Agency — Support for international businesses

Practical Essentials

When You First Arrive

1. Register at the municipality (gemeente) — Book online at denhaag.nl, bring passport, rental contract, birth certificate
2. Get BSN (burgerservicenummer) — Assigned at municipality registration
3. Get health insurance — Within 4 months. See our expat insurance guide
4. Apply for DigiD — Required for government services. See our DigiD guide
5. Open a bank account — ING, ABN AMRO, or Bunq (most expat-friendly)

Money Transfer

For transferring money internationally (salary, savings, paying bills in your home country), use Wise (formerly TransferWise) to save on exchange rate fees. Traditional banks charge 2-5% in hidden fees.

Cost of Living in The Hague: Specific 2026 Numbers

The headline figure — 10-15% cheaper than Amsterdam — understates the actual difference in some categories. The Hague’s savings are concentrated in rent and leisure. Day-to-day supermarket shopping is similar across Dutch cities (same chains, same prices), but the rent gap is real.

Rent by Neighbourhood (2026)

Everyday Costs

Buying Property in The Hague

The Hague’s property market is meaningfully more accessible than Amsterdam’s:

• Average price per m²: €4,000-€5,500 (vs €6,500-€9,000 in Amsterdam)
• Typical 2-bedroom apartment: €350,000-€600,000
• Benoordenhout detached house: €700,000-€1,200,000+
• Laakkwartier flat: €220,000-€350,000

For diplomatic families or international organization employees who expect to stay 5+ years, buying is increasingly worth considering. Use the housing budget checker to run the numbers against your actual salary and savings.

More on Key Neighbourhoods

Bezuidenhout deserves more than the “practical” label it usually gets. It sits between Den Haag Centraal and the diplomatic and court quarter, which makes the morning commute trivially short for many international organization employees. The neighbourhood has seen consistent investment — newer apartment buildings alongside the older housing stock, a growing number of cafés and restaurants on Benoordenhoutseweg, and easy tram connections to Scheveningen for weekend beach runs. It is not the most characterful area, but for someone arriving alone and wanting to be set up efficiently, it is one of the most pragmatic choices in The Hague. Two-bedroom apartments run €1,200-€1,800/month.

Scheveningen is more than a beach suburb. The Harbour area (Scheveningse Haven) has an increasingly year-round food and social scene, with restaurants and bars that are not dependent on summer tourists. If you surf, kitesurf, or simply want to run along the North Sea before work, living here makes that effortlessly possible. The main downside is the journey into the city centre — it is manageable by tram (20-25 minutes to Centraal) but noticeable daily. Winter on the coast is genuinely cold and windier than inland. Rent: €1,200-€2,000/month for a two-bedroom.

Statenkwartier is the neighbourhood most expats aspire to. The architecture — elegant early-20th-century villas and apartment buildings on tree-lined streets — is the most beautiful in The Hague outside the diplomat quarter. The Frederikstraat and Fred. Hendriklaan offer good independent shopping. The beach is a ten-minute cycle. It commands a premium, but for couples or families with a solid income, the quality of life here is exceptional.

Laakkwartier is the most underrated neighbourhood in this guide. It is multicultural, transit-connected (direct tram to Centraal), and significantly more affordable than anything closer to the centre. The area around Laakhaven is being redeveloped, with new residential buildings and a growing food scene along the waterfront. For expats on a tighter budget or those who want to save aggressively in their first years, Laakkwartier makes practical sense. Two-bedroom apartments: €900-€1,300/month.

Tools for Your Hague Move

Getting set up in The Hague efficiently means getting ahead of the bureaucracy. These tools help.

Housing Budget Checker

The Hague’s rent range is wide — from €750/month in Laakkwartier to €2,500+ in Benoordenhout. Before committing to a neighbourhood, use this tool to establish what you can actually afford on your Dutch take-home pay. It accounts for the 30% ruling, Dutch income tax rates, and mandatory costs like health insurance.

BSN Planner

Registration at the gemeente in The Hague is the first bureaucratic step, and getting your BSN (burgerservicenummer) unlocks everything else — bank account, health insurance, salary payment. The BSN Planner walks you through exactly what documents to bring, how to book at the Den Haag municipality, and what to expect. The Hague International Centre also offers support for internationals, but the BSN Planner covers the practical sequence step by step.

Visa and Permit Finder

Many people moving to The Hague are arriving for international organizations, diplomatic posts, or government-linked roles — which sometimes involve different permit categories than standard employment. The Visa Finder helps identify the right permit for your situation and outlines what your employer or organization needs to sponsor.

For a full picture of costs beyond rent, read our cost of living guide and finding housing guide.

Our Verdict

The Hague is the best city in the Netherlands for expats who want a high quality of life with a strong international community. It offers everything Amsterdam does — culture, dining, cycling, public transport — but with lower costs, less crowding, and the bonus of beach access.

If you work in an international organization, government, or simply want a cosmopolitan Dutch city that does not overwhelm, The Hague should be at the top of your list.

Explore More Expat Guides

• Complete Guide to Moving to the Netherlands — Everything you need
• International Schools in the Netherlands — Full school comparison
• Best Expat Insurance — Health and other key insurance
• Highly Skilled Migrant Visa — Work permit information
• Netherlands vs Germany for Expats — Country comparison

Last updated: April 2026.

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