Last reviewed: October 13, 2026. Rents are Numbeo averages from 12 October 2026 and change quickly; check live listings. This article is general information, not legal advice.
The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and an international city of courts and organisations, which makes it a popular place for expats to rent. This guide covers what rental apartments in The Hague cost, which areas suit which kind of renter, the rules every tenant should know and how to avoid problems. For the same national rules in more detail, see our guide to rental apartments in Rotterdam.
Quick answer: Numbeo puts a one-bedroom flat at about €1,463 a month in the city centre and €1,150 outside it, which is lower than Amsterdam or Utrecht. Competition is still high, so have your documents ready before you start viewing.
Rental Prices in The Hague
| Home | City centre (per month) | Outside the centre (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | €1,463 | €1,150 |
| 3-bedroom apartment | €2,462 | €2,034 |
- Numbeo also lists about €249 a month for basic utilities for an 85 m² flat, about €49 for broadband, and €1,042 a month for a single person’s other living costs, excluding rent.
- Compare with Amsterdam in the same data: about €2,336 for a city-centre one-bedroom flat and €1,743 outside the centre (see our Amsterdam cost of living guide).
- Press reports of Pararius data put The Hague at roughly €22.4 per m² for new tenants in the second quarter of 2026, compared with roughly €28.7 in Amsterdam. Rents across the private sector have been rising faster than inflation (NL Times).
Numbeo is crowd-sourced and per-square-metre figures vary by source, so use these as a guide and check current listings on a portal such as Pararius.
Why Expats Rent in The Hague
The Hague is known as the international city of peace and justice. The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court are based there (Just Peace The Hague), and the city says it hosts more than 200 international organisations and knowledge institutions, alongside European bodies such as Europol and Eurojust (The Hague in numbers). Counts differ by definition. The municipality has also discussed asking employers to arrange housing for incoming staff before they arrive (NL Times, 2024), so ask your employer what help is available.
Popular Areas for Renters
Descriptions below come from expat guides, not from price data, so check rents area by area (The Hague International Centre; Expat Arrivals).
- Statenkwartier: a classic expat area with tree-lined streets and the shopping street Frederik Hendriklaan, but generally more expensive.
- Scheveningen: the seaside district with the main beach, reachable by tram from the centre.
- Archipelbuurt: often mentioned as popular with embassy staff.
- Zeeheldenkwartier: popular with a younger international crowd.
- Kijkduin: a beach alternative to Scheveningen, described as quieter with lower housing costs.
Rules Every Tenant Should Know
- Deposit: the legal maximum is two months’ basic rent (see Law and More).
- Agency fees: if the agent works for the landlord, they may not charge you any fee (Rijksoverheid).
- Contracts: since 1 July 2024 most new tenants must be offered an indefinite contract; fixed-term contracts are allowed only for certain groups such as students (Rijksoverheid).
- Income checks: many landlords look for a gross income of around three to four times the rent. This is common practice, not law.
Documents to Have Ready
- Passport and residence permit if you need one.
- Employment contract and recent payslips, or other proof of income.
- Bank statements.
- References from a previous landlord, if you have one.
- Your BSN once you have registered (see the Dutch government checklist).
Avoiding Rental Scams
- Never pay a deposit or rent before you have viewed the home yourself or had someone you trust view it.
- Be wary of rents far below the market and of landlords who cannot meet you or show a written contract.
- Check that the account you pay into matches the landlord named in the contract.
Tips for Finding a Place
- Set up alerts on rental portals and check them several times a day.
- Compare the all-in monthly cost: rent plus service charges plus utilities.
- Consider a wider search, including nearby towns with train links.
- Ask your employer or university about housing support.
If you are comparing cities, see our guides to living in Rotterdam and living in Utrecht.
Sources
- Numbeo: cost of living in The Hague (12 October 2026)
- NL Times: private sector rent hikes outpace inflation (10 July 2026)
- Municipality of The Hague: The Hague in numbers
- Just Peace The Hague: international justice
- The Hague International Centre: neighbourhoods of The Hague
- Expat Arrivals: areas and suburbs of The Hague
- NL Times: The Hague wants employers to arrange housing (2024)
- Rijksoverheid: agency fees
- Rijksoverheid: permanent rental contracts
- Law and More: rental deposit
- Pararius: apartments for rent in The Hague
Featured image: *rboed*, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr).
