Our lawyers in the Netherlands can offer legal assistance to foreigners who want to purchase a property in this country.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Dutch real estate market – overview | The real estate market has experienced significant volatility in recent years, but growth expectations for the upcoming years remain positive |
Where to search for properties to buy in Netherlands | Real estate agencies, online property portals, newspaper ads, auctions, real estate fairs and trade shows, etc. |
Residence permit required (YES/NO) | NO, foreigners can buy property in Netherlands without a residence permit, even if they are a non-EU citizen |
| Process | The real estate agent can help find suitable properties, arrange viewings, negotiate with owners for a fair price, and issue a purchase deed; Once a verbal agreement is reached, the agent prepares a purchase deed that includes transaction details and conditions; A civil law attorney in the Netherlands receives the purchase deed and ensures all conditions are met; Once both parties sign the written statement and the necessary costs are paid, a transfer contract is signed. |
| Mortgages | If you are considering purchasing a Dutch real estate property, you can explore the option of obtaining a mortgage to finance the purchase; The maximum mortgage you can request is up to five times your salary and you need a residence permit and be full-time employed to obtain a mortgage in Netherlands. |
| Overview on the properties for sale in Amsterdam | Central apartments for sale in Amsterdam typically cost around 1 million euros; They can cost up to 8,500 euros per square meter; Amsterdam’s City Center is a desirable area with premium properties; You can contact our Dutch lawyers for more details about Amsterdam apartments for sale. |
| Types of properties available | Terraced houses, detached houses, semi-detached houses, apartments, houseboats |
| Real estate due diligence | Conducting real estate due diligence involves acquiring and evaluating information on a specific property, including legal, technical, and financial aspects |
| Necessary documents for buying real estate in Netherlands | Sale/Purchase agreement, Transfer agreements, financial statements, information on the Land Registry, insurance coverage, etc. |
| Tenant eviction laws and regulations | Resolution of conflicts between landlords and tenants, including matters such as eviction, is handled through the national Rent Tribunal |
| Must contact the Land Registry (YES/NO) | YES, when someone wants to transfer the ownership of a property, he/she must contact the Land Registry |
| What is the leasehold arrangement | In the Dutch real estate market, some properties are sold without including the land they’re built on, under a leasehold arrangement |
| Fees and taxes | Transfer tax (2% of purchase price), notary fees, real estate agent commission, bank guarantee, valuation report, etc. |
| Advantages of buying real estate in the Netherlands | You may be eligible for tax deductions on the interest you pay on your mortgage; When buying a home in Netherlands, you can potentially borrow up to 100% of the property’s value; When you sell the property, you don’t have to pay capital gains tax on any profit you make from the sale. |
| Assistance for purchasing a property in Netherlands (YES/NO) | YES, our Dutch law firm handles matters regarding the real estate market in Netherlands |
| Physical presence required (YES/NO) | NO, our lawyers can handle the transaction on your behalf. |
Legal framework for real estate | – Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek), – Land Registry Act (Kadasterwet) |
Property tax in Netherlands | Depends on the property’s value, which will be evaluated annually by the local government. |
| Dutch residency/citizenship by investment (YES/NO) | NO, our attorneys can help you obtain residency/citizenship through other means. |
| Local bank account required | Recommended for facilitating property transactions |
| Deposit | Generally 10% of the purchase price |
| Due diligence | Our law firm recommends due diligence on the property to check for any potential financial or legal issues. |
| Land registry excerpt – characteristics | Provides details about a property’s size, ownership, legal claims, etc. |
| Insurance | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Assistance schemes and loans | – National Mortgage Guarantee, – Koopgarant Scheme |
| Property restrictions | None |
| Constructing a house | We can help you obtain the necessary permits. |
| Tax number required to buy property (YES/NO) | YES |
| Content of property contract | – name of buyer and seller, – purchase price, – property details, – date of contract completion, etc. |
| Additional services | – VAT registration, – company formation, – trademark registration, – debt collection, etc. |
Table of Contents
What is the process of Dutch real estate purchase?
Below, we invite you to discover the main aspects that are involved in the process of buying real estate here:
- the Makelaar (Dutch real estate agent) will handle all the steps necessary before buying a real estate in the Netherlands such as finding the appropriate properties, arranging viewings, talking with the owners in order to convince them to ask for a fair price;
- once a verbal agreement was reached, the makelaar issues a purchase deed containing the details of the transaction and the conditions of the acquisition;
- a civil law attorney in Netherlands receives this deed and makes sure that all the conditions are met;
- a deposit of maximum 10% of the purchase is held by a notary until completion of the sale;
- the Land Registry is asked regarding any existing mortgages on the endorsed property by the notary, who will issue a document of transfer;
- the documents related to the real estate purchase must be written in Dutch, but it is advisable to have them also in the foreign country’s language to know exactly what you are signing;
- when the written statement is signed by both parties and the amounts necessary to cover the costs are paid, a transfer contract is signed and the notaries inform the Land Registry regarding the transaction and the new owners.
What types of properties exist in the Netherlands?
In the list below, you can observe the main types of properties that can be found in the Netherlands:
- the most popular type of property in the Netherlands is the town or terraced house (rijtjeshuis), which is usually narrow and has three or more floors, front and back yards, and is connected to similar houses;
- there are also detached houses (vrijstaand) and semi-detached houses (twee onder een kap);
- apartments (appartement);
- houseboats (woonboot).
What is erfpacht?
Leasehold or ‘erfpacht’ refers to a characteristic of the Dutch real estate market by which certain properties (the number of it increases every year) are sold but not the ground they are build on. For this, an annual rent is paid to the owner, which in certain cases can be the Dutch Government.
In the infographic below you can see the steps needed to buy property in the Netherlands:
How long does it take to purchase a property in the Netherlands in 2026?
The process of real estate purchase in the Netherlands usually takes up to three months.
Can foreigners buy property in the Netherlands?
Yes, foreigners can buy property in Netherlands. The country does not impose any restrictions on foreigners, whether residents or non-residents, when buying real estate.
Do I need to have Dutch residency in order to purchase a property?
No. You do not need to be a Dutch resident in order to acquire a property, regardless of its kind. However, you must reside and be registered in the Netherlands to obtain a mortgage.
Can one obtain mortgages when buying a property in Netherlands?
Yes, mortgages are usually arranged for a term of either twenty or thirty years, depending on the agreed conditions.
What are some of the rules banks apply to foreigners who want to obtain a mortgage?
Foreigners can obtain a mortgage in order to finance the purchase of a local property, but there are some aspects that must be know. For instance:
- EU/EEA nationals benefit from the same mortgage conditions as the ones applicable to Dutch citizens, even in the case in which the respective foreigners live in the Netherlands under a temporary residence permit;
- for third party nationals, there are more stringent rules (for instance, temporary residents may not qualify for a mortgage at some banks, while others can accept applications from temporary residents, but they need to make the proof of living and working in the country for at least 3 years, etc.).
Are there any limitations when buying commercial property?
No, foreigners can freely buy commercial property following the same rights they have when we refer to the sale of residential real estate.
Is it mandatory for me to arrive in person for the purchase formalities in 2026?
No, if it is not possible to be in person in Netherlands and watch the process closely, it is advisable to hire an attorney specialized in such activities in order to best represent your interests.
The following short video summarizes the most important steps for property purchase:
How can I hire a lawyer?
You can easily hire an attorney, such as our Dutch lawyer, to represent you in the sale procedures, by granting the power of attorney. This document will stipulate the ways in which a third party can complete specific legal actions on your behalf.
What types of taxes are involved in the process of buying a property in the Netherlands in 2026?
The procedure of buying a property involves several types of taxes. These are:
- the property transfer tax;
- notary fees;
- property registration fees;
- real estate agent fees;
- capital gains tax.
Can I obtain other types of legal services in the Netherlands?
Yes, in case you need other legal services, such as immigration assistance, we can put you in contact with our immigration lawyer in the Netherlands.
Can I obtain legal services in other countries?
Yes, if you want to purchase a property in other countries or you simply are interested in different types of legal services elsewhere, you can rely on our network of lawyers. Some of the locations where we can assist you are:
- if you need assistance in Slovenia, you can rely on an Slovenian attorney;
- if you want to open a company in another jurisdiction, such as Singapore, you can receive more details about the Singapore company formation process from our partners;
- in case you are interested in setting up a limited company in Ireland, we can put you in touch with our affiliates from Ireland.
We invite you tocontact our law firm in the Netherlandsfor further information on other important matters related to purchasing a property in this country.