In this guide
💡 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.
Why Coworking Works Well in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has a large and established freelance culture. Around 1.2 million people in the country work as ZZP (zelfstandigen zonder personeel — self-employed without staff), and many of them spend time in coworking spaces. The result is that the Dutch coworking market is mature, well-priced, and genuinely functional rather than just aesthetically nice.
For expats, coworking spaces offer something beyond a desk: they are one of the fastest ways to meet other internationals and Dutch professionals in the same situation as you. They are also useful professional infrastructure if you are working remotely for a foreign employer and need a proper work environment in your new country.
See our guide to freelancing as a ZZP in the Netherlands if you are considering going self-employed here.
Quick Comparison: Major Coworking Providers in the Netherlands
| Provider | Day Pass | Hot Desk (monthly) | Dedicated Desk (monthly) | Private Office | Cities | Free Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spaces | ~EUR 29 | EUR 199-299 | EUR 349-499 | EUR 650+ | 15+ | No |
| WeWork | EUR 35-45 | EUR 250-350 | EUR 400-550 | EUR 800+ | Amsterdam (3) | No |
| Tribes | EUR 25-35 | EUR 175-250 | EUR 300-400 | EUR 550+ | 5 | No |
| The Thinking Hut | EUR 20-30 | EUR 150-200 | EUR 250-350 | Limited | Amsterdam | No |
| A Lab | EUR 25 | EUR 180-220 | EUR 300+ | EUR 500+ | Amsterdam | No |
| Seats2Meet | Free* | Free* | N/A | N/A | 50+ | Yes |
*Seats2Meet is free in exchange for sharing your professional profile and knowledge network. More on this below.
Prices are indicative averages for 2026. Actual prices vary by city and specific location — always check the provider’s website for current rates.
Spaces (IWG/Regus): The Widest Network
Spaces is the coworking brand operated by IWG, the same company behind Regus. If Regus is the corporate office-on-demand product, Spaces is IWG’s more design-forward, community-oriented brand. In practice, the distinction matters less than the locations: Spaces has the most cities covered in the Netherlands.
What you get:
- Locations in Amsterdam (multiple), Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Breda, Arnhem, and more
- Hot desks, dedicated desks, private offices, and meeting rooms
- Business address service available
- Day passes accessible via the Spaces app
- Access to the global IWG network (useful if you travel)
- Community events (varies by location)
The honest assessment: Spaces is solid and reliable but not especially distinctive. The interiors are designed to feel modern without making strong choices. The community aspect depends heavily on which location you join and who happens to be there. The main argument for Spaces is coverage: if you need a desk in a city where other options are limited, Spaces will likely have something.
Customer service quality varies by location. In Amsterdam and Rotterdam, it is generally good. In smaller cities, some locations are understaffed. The global membership means that if you travel frequently within the Netherlands or internationally, a Spaces membership can follow you.
Best for: Freelancers and remote workers who need coverage across multiple Dutch cities, people who travel internationally and want a consistent coworking experience, expats who need a business address for KvK registration.
WeWork: Premium Pricing, Premium Experience (Amsterdam Only)
WeWork has a complicated global story — the 2019 IPO collapse, the restructuring — but in Amsterdam, the actual product is good. WeWork operates three locations in Amsterdam (Westergas, Metropolis, and others), and the spaces themselves are well-designed: high ceilings, good coffee machines, fast WiFi, and a genuine sense of energy.
What you get:
- High-spec fit-outs in design-forward buildings
- All-inclusive pricing (coffee, printing, some beer on Fridays)
- Strong app and booking system
- Good community team at each location
- Meeting rooms bookable by the hour
- On-Demand app for day passes
The honest assessment: WeWork is the most expensive option on this list. A hot desk membership in Amsterdam runs EUR 250-350/month, and that is without a dedicated desk. For what you get in terms of environment and amenities, it is arguably fair value. The problem is that it is only in Amsterdam, so if you are based in Rotterdam or The Hague, WeWork is not an option.
The community aspect at WeWork Amsterdam is genuinely active — events, introductions, and a diverse mix of startups, remote workers, and small teams. If networking matters to you and you are based in Amsterdam, WeWork is worth considering despite the price.
Best for: Amsterdam-based remote workers and freelancers who value environment and community and are willing to pay for it. Not suitable for people outside Amsterdam.
Tribes: The Dutch Independent Chain
Tribes is a Dutch-founded coworking chain with a deliberate focus on creating genuine community rather than just selling desk space. It operates in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, and a handful of other locations, and it has a different feel to the international chains: a bit more personal, a bit more Dutch.
What you get:
- Well-designed, intimate spaces
- Dedicated community managers who actually know members
- Regular events focused on professional development and networking
- Good meeting room infrastructure
- Flexible contracts without long lock-in periods
The honest assessment: Tribes is consistently recommended by expats who have tried multiple coworking spaces in the Netherlands. The community managers make a real difference — they do introductions, they remember your name, and they actively try to connect members with relevant contacts. If you are new to a city and want to build a professional network quickly, Tribes is probably the best environment for that.
The trade-off is that Tribes is smaller and less geographically widespread than Spaces. In Eindhoven, Tribes is one of the top choices. In Amsterdam, it competes well. In other cities, you may find it does not have a location.
Best for: Freelancers and remote workers who prioritise community and networking over desk count or geographic spread. Particularly good if you are new to a Dutch city and want to meet people.
The Thinking Hut: Amsterdam’s Independent Favourite
The Thinking Hut is a smaller, independent coworking space in Amsterdam with a loyal following among freelancers and small creative teams. It does not have the scale of Spaces or WeWork, but it has something those chains struggle to replicate: genuine character.
What you get:
- Thoughtfully designed space in Amsterdam
- Calm, focused working atmosphere
- Strong regular community of freelancers
- Day passes and monthly memberships
- Meeting room access
- Good coffee and a kitchen
The honest assessment: The Thinking Hut attracts a particular kind of freelancer: creative, independent, not looking for a corporate environment. If you are a designer, writer, consultant, or similar, and you work in Amsterdam, it is worth trying a day pass before committing to a monthly membership at a larger chain. The space is deliberately smaller, which means it fills up — you may need to book in advance.
Best for: Amsterdam-based creative freelancers who want a calm, focused environment over a buzzy corporate space.
A Lab: Amsterdam-Noord’s Creative Hub
A Lab is based in Amsterdam-Noord (a ferry ride across the IJ from Central Station) and occupies a former factory building that has been turned into a creative and tech workspace. It houses both coworking members and permanent tenants — startups, studios, and agencies.
What you get:
- Large, industrial-style space with good natural light
- Mix of creative and tech companies in the building
- Day passes and monthly memberships
- Events and community activities
- Restaurant and bar in the same building
- Slightly removed from city centre (which is also the point)
The honest assessment: A Lab is not the right choice if you need to be in the centre of Amsterdam for client meetings. It is a strong choice if you want a vibrant, somewhat unconventional working environment and you are happy to take the ferry. The mix of permanent tenants means you are working alongside actual companies, not just other freelancers, which can create interesting connections.
Best for: Amsterdam-based remote workers and freelancers who prefer a creative, non-corporate atmosphere and are not dependent on a central location for daily meetings.
Seats2Meet: The Free Option
Seats2Meet deserves its own explanation because it operates on a completely different model from every other option on this list.
Seats2Meet is free to use. The exchange is not money but knowledge: when you register and use a Seats2Meet location, you fill out a profile listing your skills, what you are working on, and what you are looking for. The idea is that the “payment” is the contribution you make to the knowledge network — you might end up having a conversation with another member that helps them, or vice versa.
In practice, this means:
- You create a Seats2Meet profile (takes 10 minutes)
- You check in when you arrive at a location
- You sit and work like at any other coworking space
- You may be approached for a conversation by the community manager or other members — or you may not
What you get:
- Free desk access across 50+ locations in the Netherlands
- Access to meeting rooms (often bookable for free or at low cost)
- A nationwide network of spaces including libraries, hotel lobbies, and dedicated coworking floors
- A community of professionals who are also open to connection
The honest assessment: Seats2Meet is genuinely useful and genuinely free. The spaces vary widely in quality — some are excellent, some are basic. The community exchange model works better at some locations than others. But for day-to-day quiet work, it is hard to argue with free.
The main limitation is that Seats2Meet spaces are not always available when and where you need them, and you cannot rely on them for professional client meetings the way you can with a dedicated coworking membership.
Best for: Freelancers and remote workers who want flexible, free desk access and are open to occasional professional connection. Also useful as a supplement to a paid coworking membership — use your paid membership for your primary work base, Seats2Meet when you are travelling elsewhere in the Netherlands.
City-by-City: Best Coworking Options
Amsterdam
Amsterdam has the widest choice of coworking in the Netherlands. The main options:
- Best overall: WeWork (for premium) or Tribes (for community)
- Best budget: The Thinking Hut or Seats2Meet
- Best for coverage: Spaces (multiple locations)
- Best creative atmosphere: A Lab (Noord)
Amsterdam coworking prices are the highest in the country, reflecting the city’s rental market. Expect to pay 15-25% more than equivalent options in Rotterdam or Eindhoven.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam’s coworking scene has grown significantly in recent years, driven by the city’s tech and creative sector growth.
- Best overall: Spaces (Weena) or Tribes
- Best independent option: Several smaller independent spaces near the centre
- Free option: Seats2Meet at Rotterdam Central and other locations
Rotterdam is generally better value than Amsterdam for coworking memberships with similar quality.
The Hague (Den Haag)
The Hague has a large population of international professionals — EU institutions, embassies, international organisations — which means the coworking scene is internationally oriented.
- Best overall: Spaces (multiple Den Haag locations)
- Free option: Seats2Meet
- Note: Several coworking spaces specifically cater to NGO and international organisation freelancers
Utrecht
Utrecht is compact and well-connected. Coworking options are clustered near the central station.
- Best overall: Spaces (Catharijnesingel)
- Best community: Several smaller independents around Vredenburg
- Free option: Seats2Meet Utrecht
Eindhoven
Eindhoven has a strong tech and design culture (Brainport region, Philips history), and the coworking scene reflects this.
- Best overall: Tribes Eindhoven
- Tech-focused: Several spaces tied to the Brainport tech ecosystem
- Free option: Seats2Meet Eindhoven
Day Pass vs Monthly Membership: Which Makes More Sense?
Choose a day pass if:
- You work from a coworking space fewer than 8 days per month
- You are testing different spaces before committing
- You are in a city temporarily and need occasional desk access
- You want maximum flexibility with no monthly commitment
Choose a monthly hot desk if:
- You work from a coworking space 8+ days per month
- You want a consistent community and regular faces
- You benefit from having an out-of-home work routine
Choose a dedicated desk if:
- You need to leave equipment set up between sessions
- You want a fixed address within the coworking space
- You work in the space most weekdays
Choose a private office if:
- You have a small team (2-6 people) that needs to work together
- You require confidentiality for calls or meetings
- You want the feel of your own office without a long commercial lease
The maths is simple: if you are paying EUR 29/day for a day pass, you break even on a EUR 200/month membership at 7 days per month. Most providers’ monthly memberships become better value once you use the space more than once a week.
What to Look for When Choosing a Coworking Space
Beyond price and location, here is what actually determines whether a coworking space works for you:
WiFi reliability. Ask specifically about upload speed and whether meetings via video call are common among members. Some spaces advertise fast WiFi that degrades badly when the space is full. Visit during peak hours (10am-2pm) if you can, and run a speed test.
Noise level. Open-plan coworking varies enormously. Some spaces are quiet and focused (The Thinking Hut). Others are buzzy and conversational (some WeWork locations at lunch). Know which you need for your work type.
Meeting room access and cost. Some memberships include meeting room hours. Others charge per hour on top of your membership. If you have client meetings regularly, calculate the total cost including meeting room time.
Contract flexibility. Most coworking providers offer month-to-month contracts, but some require 3-month minimum commitments for dedicated desks or private offices. Clarify this before signing.
Community events. The listed events programme and the reality of community at a space can differ. Talk to existing members during a day pass visit to get a real sense of the community.
Coworking for Expats: Specific Considerations
If you are new to the Netherlands, coworking spaces offer more than just a desk. A few things worth knowing:
Language: All major coworking chains operate fully in English. Dutch coworking culture is international by default, and you will not feel out of place speaking English.
KvK address: If you are registering as a ZZP freelancer, some coworking spaces offer a business address service for your KvK registration. This is useful if you are not ready to use your home address or do not yet have a permanent Dutch address. Our KvK registration guide explains the address requirements in detail.
Business banking: If you are working as a ZZP, you will likely need a separate Dutch business bank account. See our guide to Dutch business bank accounts for ZZP freelancers.
Dutch work culture: Coworking spaces in the Netherlands have their own informal culture. Coffee breaks are taken seriously. Directness is valued over excessive politeness. People eat lunch at their desks or in the kitchen, often briefly. Read our Dutch work culture guide before your first day in a shared space.
Tips for Getting the Most from a Coworking Membership
Visit on a day pass first. Every space feels different in person than it looks in photos. A EUR 25-35 day pass is cheap market research before committing to a monthly fee.
Go during peak hours. The atmosphere on a Tuesday at 11am is different from a Friday at 3pm. Visit when the space is full to understand the real noise level and energy.
Talk to the community manager. Good coworking spaces have community managers whose job is to connect members. Introduce yourself and tell them what you do — good community managers are a direct line to relevant contacts.
Use the Seats2Meet network when travelling. Even if you have a monthly membership at one location, Seats2Meet gives you free access to desks across the Netherlands on days when you are in another city.
Book meeting rooms in advance. Most coworking spaces have fewer meeting rooms than members would like. If you have a client call or team meeting, book the room as soon as you know the date.
Check your employment contract. If you work remotely for a foreign employer, some employment contracts have clauses about where work can be performed. Most are fine with coworking spaces, but it is worth checking.
Our Recommendations by Situation
| Your Situation | Recommended Option |
|---|---|
| Just arrived, want to meet people fast | Tribes (community focus) |
| Working remotely, need reliable desk in multiple cities | Spaces (network coverage) |
| Based in Amsterdam, premium matters | WeWork |
| Freelancer on a tight budget | Seats2Meet (free) |
| Creative freelancer in Amsterdam | The Thinking Hut or A Lab |
| Based in Eindhoven/tech sector | Tribes Eindhoven |
| Need business address for KvK | Spaces or WeWork (ask specifically) |
| Occasional use only | Day pass at any provider |
Internet and Technical Requirements: What to Check Before You Commit
One of the most important practical checks before committing to a coworking membership is verifying that the technical infrastructure matches your actual work requirements.
WiFi Speed and Reliability
The Netherlands has excellent national broadband infrastructure, but individual coworking spaces vary in how much bandwidth they have allocated per user and how they manage peak demand.
What to check:
- Ask specifically about upload speed, not just download — video calls (Zoom, Teams) require consistent upload. Anything below 10 Mbps upload per user under load will cause issues on frequent calls
- Ask whether the space uses dedicated business-grade internet (typically a separate leased line) or a standard consumer connection
- Visit during peak hours (10am–12pm on a Tuesday or Wednesday) and run a speed test on Speedtest.net or fast.com
- Ask about the redundancy setup — what happens if the primary internet connection fails?
Most established chains (Spaces, WeWork, Tribes) have adequate infrastructure for standard remote work including video calls. The risk is higher at smaller independent spaces and some Seats2Meet locations where the internet is whatever the host venue happened to have installed.
Physical and Cybersecurity
If you work with sensitive data — financial information, legal documents, healthcare data, or any client data with confidentiality requirements — consider:
- Whether the space uses WPA3 encryption or at minimum WPA2 for WiFi
- Whether there is a separate guest network or whether all users share one network
- Whether private offices have lockable doors and soundproofing adequate for confidential calls
Most professional coworking spaces handle this adequately. For any highly sensitive work, a VPN on top of the coworking WiFi is sensible practice regardless of the space’s own security measures.
Setting Up as a ZZP Freelancer Using a Coworking Address
Several coworking providers in the Netherlands offer a registered business address (postadres or vestigingsadres) service that allows you to register your KvK (Chamber of Commerce) number and BTW (VAT) number at the coworking address rather than your home address.
This is useful for:
- Keeping your home address private on public business documents (KvK registration is publicly searchable)
- Maintaining a professional business address if you do not have a dedicated office
- Certain business activities that the Belastingdienst or IND requires to have a business address distinct from a private address
Providers that offer this service: Spaces and WeWork both have registered business address services at most Dutch locations. Cost is typically EUR 25–50/month on top of any membership fee.
Important: Not all coworking spaces can legally serve as your KvK vestigingsadres. The KvK has requirements about the nature of the address. Confirm explicitly with the provider that their address can be used for this purpose before signing up.
Our KvK registration guide explains the full address requirements and what documents you need.
Coworking Memberships and the Dutch ZZP Tax Deduction
If you are a ZZP freelancer, coworking membership costs are deductible as business expenses (bedrijfskosten) for both income tax and VAT purposes.
Income tax (Box 1 self-employment income): Your coworking membership fee, day passes, and meeting room costs are directly deductible from your business income, reducing your taxable profit. If you pay EUR 250/month for a hot desk, that is EUR 3,000/year deducted from taxable income. At a marginal tax rate of 37%, that is EUR 1,110 in tax saved.
BTW (VAT) reclaim: If your business is BTW-plichtig (VAT registered), you can reclaim the 21% VAT on coworking costs through your quarterly BTW aangifte. On EUR 250/month (including VAT), approximately EUR 43/month in VAT is reclaimable.
Effective net cost of a EUR 250/month coworking membership for a typical ZZP: approximately EUR 180–200/month after tax deductions and VAT reclaim.
This calculation makes quality coworking memberships significantly more affordable than the headline price suggests for freelancers. Always keep your invoices and ensure the coworking space issues proper facturen (invoices) with BTW breakdown.
Building a Professional Network Through Coworking
Beyond a desk and WiFi, the social capital value of coworking is something that takes time to develop but can be substantial for expat freelancers.
The Dutch professional networking culture is active but specific. Cold LinkedIn outreach gets moderate responses. Warm introductions get much better responses. Coworking spaces, at their best, generate warm introductions naturally.
How to accelerate this:
Attend the events. Most coworking providers run regular events — drinks, workshops, breakfast sessions, demo days. These feel optional but they are where relationships form. Go to at least three before deciding whether the community is worth cultivating.
Be visibly helpful before asking for anything. In Dutch professional culture, overt networking can feel pushy. Being genuinely useful — sharing a relevant article, offering a skill in casual conversation, connecting two people you know — establishes your presence without feeling transactional.
Use the informal kitchen time. Coffee breaks in the shared kitchen are disproportionately productive for networking in Dutch coworking spaces. The casual setting removes the formality of a networking event and allows natural conversations to develop.
Further Resources
For more on working in the Netherlands as an expat or freelancer:
- Best coworking spaces overview for the Netherlands — our primary coworking guide
- Freelancer ZZP guide for the Netherlands — everything on going self-employed
- Dutch work culture guide for expats — understanding the office and professional norms
- Dutch business bank account guide for ZZP — banking for freelancers
- Job interview tips for the Netherlands — if you are job hunting rather than freelancing
- KvK registration guide for expats — registering your business
- Best accounting software for freelancers in the Netherlands — managing your finances as a ZZP
- Dutch employment contract explained — understanding your rights and obligations
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a coworking day pass cost in the Netherlands?
Day passes typically range from EUR 20 to EUR 45 per day depending on the provider and city. Spaces charges around EUR 29 per day in most locations. WeWork is typically EUR 35-45. The Thinking Hut and Tribes are generally EUR 25-35. Seats2Meet is free at many locations if you share your skills and network profile.
Can I use a coworking space address for my KvK registration?
Some coworking providers offer a registered business address service for an additional fee. Spaces and WeWork both offer this. Seats2Meet and day-use coworking spaces typically do not. If you need a KvK address, confirm the specific offering with the provider before signing a contract, as terms vary by location.
Which coworking chains are available across multiple Dutch cities?
Spaces (part of IWG/Regus) has the widest coverage, with locations in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, and more. Tribes operates in multiple cities including Amsterdam and Eindhoven. WeWork is concentrated in Amsterdam. Seats2Meet has a national network of free-to-use spaces across many cities.
Is a monthly coworking membership worth it for freelancers?
If you work from a coworking space more than 8 days per month, a monthly membership is almost always cheaper than day passes. For occasional use (1-4 days per month), day passes or Seats2Meet's free model make more sense. The break-even point varies by provider but is typically 8-10 days per month.
Do Dutch coworking spaces offer good English-language service?
Yes. All major coworking chains in the Netherlands operate fully in English — staff, contracts, apps, and support. The Netherlands has a very high English proficiency level and coworking spaces, which attract international freelancers and remote workers, are well set up for English speakers.
What is the difference between hot desking, a dedicated desk, and a private office?
Hot desking means you sit at any available open desk each day — no fixed spot. A dedicated desk is your reserved desk that stays set up between visits (monitor, storage, fixed position). A private office is a lockable room for you or a small team. Hot desking is cheapest; private offices cost the most but give you full privacy and a professional meeting environment.