Services · Expat services

Expat services.

Full guidance for internationals moving to or leaving Amsterdam. From the first video call to the handover of the keys, in English or Dutch, with an eye for the practical matters real estate agents often forget.

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Approach

Moving is more than finding a home.

Moving to a new country, even for a few years, is not the same as running a search on Funda. It's about language, schools, banks, registration, tax rules and building a life from scratch.

Our clients are internationals coming to Amsterdam for a shorter or longer time. Sometimes for a specific job (CFO at an Amsterdam-listed company, professor at the UvA, partner at an international firm), sometimes to relocate a family. All people who value speed, but won't settle for "you can sort that out yourself".

It's rebuilding your whole life, in a new language.

For the part that's about real estate, we're beside you. For the rest, we refer you to partners who really have it in hand.

Process

Six steps, six to ten weeks on average.

From the first video call until you're settled in. How long it takes depends on the type of process (renting or buying) and how specific your search profile is. We plan everything on working days that work for you, even across time zones.

01 Video intake (English or Dutch)

Before you're in the Netherlands: an in-depth video call about your work, family, preferences and timeline. We discuss neighborhoods that suit you, school options if they play a part, and which route (renting or buying) makes sense for your situation.

02 Search profile and neighborhood advice

We send you a concrete search profile and an explanation of the neighborhoods we're looking at for you (with examples). Often with a map, a comparison and a short neighborhood history. From here on, we know exactly what we're working toward.

03 Viewings and virtual tours

We visit first ourselves and send you video tours with our honest assessment. When there's a serious match, we schedule a visit in person during your orientation trip, or guide the purchase remotely by live video.

04 Negotiation and explaining Dutch procedures

We handle the negotiation and explain along the way how Dutch real estate procedures work: the bidding system, contingencies, NHG (the national mortgage guarantee), structural survey, valuation and the typical timeline. No surprises halfway through.

05 Notary and moving

Deed of transfer or rental contract, meter readings, handover of the keys. Your BSN (citizen service number) application runs through the municipality; we help with the planning and the introduction and refer you directly to our partners for the move and the practical setup.

06 Aftercare and introductions

Available in the first months for questions about the home, for extra practical introductions (family doctor, school, sports club) and for referrals to our tax advisor for the expat scheme (the 30% ruling) or an immigration advisor. A soft landing is half the work.

Services

Four expat routes we guide you through.

Not every international needs the same thing. During the intake we look at which route fits your situation. Often a combination: a rental first, then a purchase if the stay lasts longer.

Buying

International purchase

Mortgage options for internationals (even without a Dutch employment history), knowledge of EU versus non-EU rules, BSN procedures and partners for immigration advice. Works for current and future residents alike.

Renting

Rent first

Many internationals start with a rental while they get to know the city. English-language guidance, a type of lease that fits current legislation, a diplomat clause where relevant, and easy access to your employer's relocation partners. Often the first step before buying comes into view.

Relocation

The real estate part of relocation

We work directly with the relocation coordinators of international employers (university, finance, tech). A full property search service to corporate relocation standards, with reporting to the employer.

Tax and the 30% ruling

Referral to specialists

The 30% ruling, the Box 3 implications of owning a home, whether you and your partner are tax partners: we don't do that ourselves. But we have regular partners (certified tax advisors) we refer you to directly, and we stay in close contact with them.

Very professional real estate agent. Helped us a lot with professional advices and guidances in finding new house.

Bo CAO · Google 5.0/5

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FAQ

Questions from internationals.

Questions expat clients often ask us. Missing one? Just ask, in English or Dutch.

Do you work with my tax advisor on the 30% ruling?

Yes. We have regular partnerships with certified tax advisors who specialize in the 30% ruling. If you already have a tax advisor, we work directly with that person. We don't give the tax advice ourselves, but we do coordinate on the relevant real estate moments (purchase, financing, Box 3).

What language is used during the process?

English or Dutch, whichever you prefer. Our documents are primarily in Dutch (the Dutch text is legally binding), with an English summary where needed. Official documents (deed of transfer, rental contract) are as a rule in Dutch, but we explain every clause verbally and include English translations of the most important passages.

Can I get a mortgage without a Dutch employment history?

Often yes, though it depends on your income, type of contract, currency, residence status and the lender. There are mortgage lenders with specific expat products, including for freelance internationals. What's possible in your situation is assessed by a specialized mortgage advisor; we refer you directly to our partners, no standard approach.

I don't have a BSN yet. Can I already buy or rent a home?

For renting, the process can often run in parallel with your BSN (citizen service number) application. For buying, a BSN isn't necessarily a blocker either: the notary can process a buyer without a BSN under certain conditions, although a BSN makes many practical matters (bank, mortgage, registration) easier. We help you plan it and get the appointment at the municipality right; the application itself runs through the municipality.

Do you also help with short-term housing until the permanent home is ready?

For the first few weeks (while you get your bearings, or wait for completion of a purchase) we refer you to specialized corporate housing partners (furnished, all-inclusive). We don't handle the interim situation ourselves, but we make sure you end up with the right party.

What if I have to leave Amsterdam? Can I sell or rent out my home again?

Certainly. We guide both the sale and the rental of homes owned by expats. Your mortgage terms can affect the best moment and the route; we check that per situation with your advisor or the bank. If you leave before the end of your mortgage term, we also look at rental routes and what the bank allows.

I'm moving to another country. Can you help there too?

Often yes. Through our Qualis network we have access to agencies and listings outside the Netherlands. Tell us where you're going and we'll see, through our international network, what we can do for you there, alongside the sale or rental of your home here.