Find Rental Housing in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and has the tightest rental market in the country. With over 900,000 inhabitants and tens of thousands of students at UvA and VU, competition is fierce. Properties are online for an average of just 4 hours before they are rented. Without fast alerts, you miss 90% of listings.
Kijkie in Amsterdam
Source: automatically collected data via Kijkie. Last updated: December 28, 2025
How the rental market in Amsterdam really is
The Amsterdam rental market is notorious as one of the most difficult in the world. Here's what you really need to know:
Prices by property type
A room in a shared house costs €650-850 per month on average, depending on location. Studios start around €1,100 but can go up to €1,500 for something with daylight and a decent kitchen. Independent apartments start at €1,600-1,800 for a small one-bedroom and quickly rise to €2,200+ for something larger.
The reality of searching
Expect 3-6 months of active searching if your budget is under €1,500. At each viewing, you'll compete with 15-30 other interested parties on average. Landlords regularly receive 100-200 responses within 24 hours. Most successful renters respond within 30 minutes of posting.
Student housing
About 12% of Amsterdam's population consists of students. UvA and VU together have limited campus housing. SSH (Student Housing) has long waiting lists - averaging 2-4 years for a room. Start your registration immediately upon applying for your studies.
Seasonal patterns
August-September is the busiest period due to student influx. January and June are relatively quieter. Summer months (June-August) see many temporary rentals from students traveling.
Common mistakes
Many searchers focus only on the center and De Pijp, while neighborhoods like Noord, Nieuw-West, and Zuidoost are often 20-30% cheaper with excellent public transport connections. The Noord/Zuidlijn has reduced travel times to the center to 15-20 minutes.
Neighborhoods in Amsterdam
De Pijp
ExpensiveTrendy neighborhood with Albert Cuyp market. Popular with young professionals. Expensive but lively.
Amsterdam Noord
AverageUp-and-coming area across the IJ. Creative scene, more affordable, good metro connection.
Nieuw-West
AffordableMulticultural neighborhood with lots of new construction. Affordable with good tram connections.
Oost
AverageMix of old and new. Dappermarkt, Oosterpark. Popular with families and starters.
Zuidoost (Bijlmer)
AffordableMost affordable part of Amsterdam. Good metro, large apartments, multicultural.
Best strategy for Amsterdam
Budget < €1.000
Focus on rooms in Noord, Nieuw-West, or Zuidoost. Consider anti-squat or live-in landlord arrangements. Start searching 4-6 months in advance.
Budget €1.000 - €1.500
Studios possible in Noord or Zuidoost. Small apartments on the outskirts. Respond within 15 minutes to new listings.
Budget > €1.500
More choice, but still competitive. Also consider Amstelveen, Diemen, or Zaandam for more space.
Scam advice for Amsterdam
Vooruitbetaling
NEVER pay deposit or rent before viewing the property and meeting the landlord. Scammers often request Western Union or crypto.
Facebook Marketplace
Be extra careful with Facebook ads. Many fake profiles use stolen photos. Always verify the address exists via Google Maps.
Te mooi om waar te zijn
A spacious apartment in De Pijp for €900? That doesn't exist. Prices far below market value are almost always scams.
Illegale onderhuur
Be careful with subletting - always ask for permission from the main landlord. Illegal subletting can lead to eviction.
Tips for Amsterdam
Respond within 15 minutes – the first 10 good responses get a viewing
Write a personal intro: who you are, what you do, why this property
Have all documents ready: ID, proof of income, employer statement, possibly parental guarantee
Be flexible with viewings – say yes to any time slot
Consider a broker if your budget is above €1,800
How Kijkie helps in Amsterdam
Kijkie scans 284+ rental websites and sends you free alerts as soon as a property in Amsterdam becomes available that matches your preferences.
Create a free account and set up your Amsterdam alertsFAQ about Amsterdam
How much should I budget for a room in Amsterdam?
A room in a shared house costs €650-850 per month on average. In popular neighborhoods like De Pijp or the center, this can go up to €900+. In Noord or Zuidoost, you can find rooms from €550.
How long does it take on average to find something in Amsterdam?
On average 3-6 months with a budget under €1,500. With a higher budget or location flexibility, it can be faster. In August-September it takes longer due to student influx.
Is Amstelveen a good alternative to Amsterdam?
Yes, Amstelveen is popular with expats and offers more space for similar prices. Metro 51 takes you to Amsterdam Central in 20 minutes. Diemen and Zaandam are also good alternatives.
Should I register with housing corporations in Amsterdam?
Yes, register immediately with WoningNet. Average waiting time is 8-15 years, but for specific properties or with urgency it can be faster. Registration is free and only costs time.
How do I recognize rental scams in Amsterdam?
Red flags: request for upfront payment without viewing, prices far below market (e.g., €800 for center apartment), landlord abroad, contact only via WhatsApp/Telegram, pressure to decide quickly.