City Guide 6 min read Updated Claire Krechting By Claire Krechting

Housing & relocation agency for expats in The Hague

The international city by the sea

In Den Haag, compare the route to your office with the neighbourhood, schools and daily services your household needs. YEB can help with the search, viewing arrangements and rental application. Confirm the agreed scope and keep a fallback for a fixed arrival date; availability and landlord decisions determine the result.

Den Haag, Netherlands - expat relocation destination
€1,200 – €2,200/month Indicative rent range
Family / professional Top expat profile

Why families and professionals choose The Hague

The Hague is unique in the Netherlands. It's the seat of government, the legal capital of the world, and home to over 100 international organizations. If you're working for an embassy, NGO, or multinational, The Hague is likely already on your list.

It's also the only major Dutch city with a beach. Scheveningen is just 15 minutes from the center by tram, which makes it especially attractive for families looking for outdoor space and a seaside lifestyle without giving up urban convenience.

The rental challenge here

The Hague serves households with different work locations, including embassies, international organisations and businesses. Choose your search area around your own commute and household needs. If your start date is fixed, keep a temporary option available until a tenancy is agreed.

Many landlords require an income of 3.5x to 4x the monthly rent - slightly higher than other Dutch cities due to the international tenant profile. Diplomatic clauses and corporate guarantees are common and often expected.

Our search combines public listings and local agent or landlord contacts. A privately introduced home must still meet your household and financial requirements. Read about our housing service.

Neighborhoods we recommend

Benoordenhout

The embassy quarter. Leafy, prestigious, close to international schools and the Peace Palace. Larger apartments and houses between €1,800 and €2,500. Popular with diplomatic families and senior professionals.

Statenkwartier & Duinoord

Charming streets, local shops, and a 10-minute bike ride to both the center and the beach. Great for couples and professionals. Rents from €1,300 to €1,800.

Scheveningen Harbour & Belgisch Park

If you want to live near the sea, this is your area. Belgisch Park offers elegant apartments in a quiet residential setting. Scheveningen Harbour is livelier with restaurants and shops. Budget €1,200 to €1,700.

Our housing budget study for The Hague and other cities shows what applicants recorded as their upper budget. It is a planning reference; property size, schools and actual available rents still need a separate check.

How embassies, courts and corporates shape the Den Haag market

Den Haag's rental demand is unlike anywhere else in the Netherlands, because so much of it is institutional. Embassies, the international courts, Europol, the OPCW and a long list of NGOs rotate staff in and out of the city on fixed postings. That has two practical consequences. First, demand is concentrated: most of these organizations sit on the north-west side of the city, so their staff end up competing for the same streets in Benoordenhout, Statenkwartier and Duinoord rather than spreading out across town. Second, landlords in these neighborhoods are used to international tenants. Diplomatic clauses and corporate guarantees are not exotic requests here - they are the norm, and leases are often written around the assumption that a posting can end earlier than planned.

For a diplomatic, international-organisation or corporate move, start with the actual office and school addresses. Compare Benoordenhout, Statenkwartier and Duinoord against the household’s real travel needs rather than assuming one neighbourhood fits a job title. Shell has an office in The Hague, but its registered office and headquarters are in London. Ask each landlord how they assess employer support; an employer guarantee is not automatically accepted.

Then there is the coast, which attracts a different renter entirely. Scheveningen is the reason some of our clients choose Den Haag over Amsterdam or Rotterdam in the first place: it is the only major Dutch city where living by the sea is a genuine option rather than a compromise. Belgisch Park suits people who want quiet, elegant streets a short walk from the beach; the harbour side suits those who want restaurants and life around them. One thing to watch on the coast: part of the housing stock is oriented towards holiday lets, so make sure any contract you sign is a standard residential lease that lets you register with the municipality. And the trade-off for sea air is a longer tram ride into the centre - the connections are frequent, but worth test-riding at rush hour before you commit.

What clients say about working with us

They did a great job helping to find our house. They were always prompt and responsive. The place we got wasn't on the market so we wouldn't have gotten it without them!

, Latisha Allen, via Trustpilot

Latisha's home never appeared on the public portals - exactly the off-market dynamic described above. We can't promise every search ends that way, but prompt communication and access beyond the listings is a fair picture of how we work.

Pararius, Funda or a relocation agent in Den Haag?

An honest answer: plenty of people find a rental in Den Haag on their own, and if that's you, you don't need us. Here is how the two routes actually compare in this city.

Searching yourself on Pararius and Funda

  • Free to browse, and the portals cover most of the openly advertised market in Den Haag.
  • Budget real time for it: checking new listings daily, replying within hours of a listing going live, and having a complete dossier (payslips, employer statement, ID) ready before you enquire.
  • Speed decides a lot. In the popular expat neighborhoods - Statenkwartier, Benoordenhout, Belgisch Park - well-priced places draw responses quickly, and viewing slots often go to the first complete files.
  • A platform search covers publicly advertised homes. A tenant agent may also ask local contacts about privately shared options; availability and suitability still need checking.
  • Contracts are frequently Dutch-first, so you'll need to arrange your own translation or legal check - and stay alert for scams: never pay a deposit before you've seen the property and verified the landlord.

Working with us

  • Choose the relocation support that suits your move. Contact our team to discuss your needs and receive a personal proposal.
  • We do the daily searching and respond to new listings immediately, and we attend viewings on your behalf if you're not in the country yet.
  • Access beyond the portals: many of our Den Haag placements come through landlord and agency relationships that never advertise publicly.
  • We review the lease and explain it in English, flag unusual terms (including diplomatic clauses, which are common here), and handle municipality registration and utilities.
  • You deal only with landlords and agencies we already know, which takes most of the scam risk out of the process.

When you don't need an agent

  • You have time. If your start date is months away and you can absorb a slow search, the portals will get you there.
  • You speak Dutch or have a Dutch partner. Much of the friction we remove is language and process friction.
  • You're flexible. If any neighborhood and a broad budget range will do, the competition matters far less.
  • You're already here. Being able to attend a viewing the same day removes much of our value for a straightforward search.

If several of those don't apply - you're abroad, on a deadline, or set on a specific neighborhood - that is the situation we're built for.

What we handle for you

The Hague has its own quirks. Many premium properties are managed by a handful of agencies who prioritize tenants they know. That's why our local connections matter - we get you in front of landlords who don't list on Funda.

From dossier preparation to lease translation, utility setup, and municipality registration - we cover every step. Your only job is to unpack.

Moving to The Hague? Book your free consultation and let's get started.

Plan the household journey, not just the office commute

For a family move, confirm the school address and admissions position before narrowing the search. Test the school run, each adult’s commute and the return journey. Our family relocation guide turns those constraints into a brief.

Compare Zoetermeer, Westland and Delft where they fit the actual workplace and travel routine. A different municipality is not automatically a cheaper or easier move; compare available homes, costs and journeys.

If an employer is paying, agree who approves the property, deposit and temporary accommodation through the corporate housing brief.

Frequently asked questions about Den Haag

Do I need a housing permit (huisvestingsvergunning) in The Hague?

What income is required to rent in The Hague?

Is The Hague suitable for families?

How far is The Hague from Amsterdam?

How much does it cost to rent in The Hague as an expat?

Why do so many expats live in The Hague?

What are the best neighborhoods in The Hague for expats?

Can I live near the beach in The Hague?

Are there international schools in The Hague?

How well-connected is The Hague to other Dutch cities?

Weronika Thijs Davy

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Claire Krechting

Written by

Claire Krechting

Claire Krechting is an expat relocation and housing expert in the Netherlands, assisting over 20 international households per month with securing rental and purchase properties. Her clients include professionals relocating through multinational companies such as ING, Nike, Tata Steel, and IMC. Claire works exclusively within the Dutch market, specializing in full-service relocation and residential real estate for international professionals.