Internationals have limited impact on Dutch housing market, realtors say

Dutch realtor association NVM determined that internationals, including expats and foreign students, are buying more homes in the Netherlands, but their overall influence is still small. Currently, fewer than 2 percent of homes sold through NVM agents are purchased by internationals, up from 0.8 percent during the coronavirus pandemic, the organization said on Wednesday.

As of mid-2024, the share of international buyers in the housing market reached 1.8 percent, showing significant growth in recent years. NVM agents categorize transactions as first-time buyers, movers, or internationals, but data inconsistencies mean only complete registrations are analyzed.

The report identifies the top municipalities where internationals buy homes: Amstelveen, Veldhoven, Eindhoven, Amsterdam, Uithoorn, Haarlemmermeer, The Hague, Almere, Zaanstad, and Haarlem. Regions like Veldhoven and Eindhoven attract many internationals due to major employers such as ASML and Philips.

Higher price ranges for international buyers and renters

Internationals are often purchasing homes priced above 400,000 euros. Nearly three-quarters of their purchases are in this range, NVM reported.

On the rental market, internationals account for about 25 percent of transactions in premium areas. While this indicates their growing presence, it doesn't fully represent the broader rental market in the Netherlands.

NVM agents also note that many rental properties are leased to internationals, often in the 2,000 to 3,000 euros per month price range. The rising costs in the rental market have led many internationals to consider buying homes instead.