- Pascal Tremblay
With ֳŻ as my network, I have been able to make many friends learn the ins and outs about living in The Hague.
French Expats Moving to the Netherlands: Your Questions, Answered
If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in the Netherlands, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in the Netherlands. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join ֳŻ! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.
What are the most common nationalities in the Netherlands? As an expat in the Netherlands, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an ֳŻ member!) The top nationalities in the ֳŻ Communities in the Netherlands currently are:
- British
- Americans
- Italians
- Indians
Which cities are most popular among expats in the Netherlands? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in the Netherlands:
- Amsterdam
- The Hague
- Rotterdam
How much rent do expats pay in the Netherlands? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 1.375 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.645 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within the Netherlands.
To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in the Netherlands.
Average rent in Amsterdam
- Single expats: 1.735 USD
- Expat families: 2.405 USD
Average rent in The Hague
- Single expats: 1.205 USD
- Expat families: 1.675 USD
Average rent in Rotterdam
- Single expats: 1.434 USD
- Expat families: 1.836 USD
How safe are the Netherlands?
You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in the Netherlands as very safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as very low. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) very low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.
How safe is the Netherlands for women? Female expats rated the safety situation in the Netherlands as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in the Netherlands (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.
Meet other French at our events in the Netherlands
Attend our monthly events and activities for French expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.
Want to meet other French at our events?
Why French expats move abroad (& how they like it)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our French members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.
Meet other French in the Netherlands
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? There’s a variety of ֳŻ Groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to hiking. These are run by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month, such as dinners in the cities finest restaurants, sports or outings with other expats to explore all that your new home has to offer.
Find other French to share your hobbies with
Find Tips and Advice on the Netherlands from French Expats
Of course, expat living in the Netherlands is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow French is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Dutch way of life and mentality. ֳŻ helps you connect and meet up with other French in the Netherlands, residing in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of French in Amsterdam or French in The Hague.
If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for French food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the Dutch ֳŻ Community:
- Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from France in the Netherlands.
- Obtain and share insider tips in our the Netherlands Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get foie gras in The Hague.
- Search the ֳŻ Places database for the Netherlands to get information on institutions from your home country, including the French embassy.
From the Ijsselmeer to the linguistically unique province of Friesland, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly French expats in the Netherlands.
Join Our Expat Activities and Mingle with Fellow French in the Netherlands
Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in the Netherlands. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Dutch stamppot, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Amsterdam’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see modern urban life in Amsterdam as well as other beautiful landmarks in the Netherlands.
Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from France and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Bonjour from our French living in the Netherlands!
- Pascal Tremblay
With ֳŻ as my network, I have been able to make many friends learn the ins and outs about living in The Hague.
- Lastri Sasongko
Making new friends and contacts in the Hague was much easier once I began to attent ֳŻ events.
