The Hague wants Expats to find a house before they arrive in the Netherlands.

The Hague wants expats to secure housing before arriving in the city.

The Hague is urging employers to ensure they have arranged accommodation for employees from abroad before their arrival. The city aims to reduce the number of expats and migrant workers moving there, according to alderman Martijn Balster (Housing, PvdA). He noted that the influx of expats is displacing local residents in the housing market.

“Expats drive up prices and make housing unaffordable for middle and low-income earners,” Balster said. “It’s unacceptable that people who grew up here can no longer find housing due to an unlimited influx of expats and labor migrants. The question arises whether The Hague can still accommodate the growth of expats and labor migrants.”

According to the municipality, approximately 20,000 expats and 50,000 migrant workers live in The Hague, which has over 500,000 residents. The Hague’s housing market is even tighter than in other large cities, as it is the most densely populated city in the Netherlands, with limited space for expansion due to its location between the North Sea and nature reserves. As a result, The Hague wants to limit the number of new expats, migrant workers, and international students moving to the city.

Expats should consider exploring smaller towns and cities in and around the Netherlands. These areas offer numerous advantages, such as more space, proximity to nature, good schools, and access to various attractions like museums, festivals, and playgrounds (speeltuin). Most importantly, they provide better housing options than larger cities.