If you move to The Netherlands and you need to find accommodation the fastest way of finding accommodation is via a housing agency. The most affordable accommodation is shared accommodation which means that you have your own room in an house but you need to share facilities such as bathroom and kitchen with a few other people. The rent is normally in between 300-450 EUR/month depending on size and location. In most cases the rent includes gas/water and electricity but you should ask to be sure. The rooms can be furnished or unfurnished. If the advert says “gestoffeerd” – there is a carpet or a wooden floor, and the walls have wall-paper or are painted. If the advert says “kaal” you might need to put a carpet in yourself or paint the walls.

The housing agency normally charges a fee of one month rent + VAT for its services. A few examples of housing agencies are Rotsvast and Direct Wonen. There might also be smaller local housing agencies in the city/town where you will work.

You can also search for suitable accommodation via www.kamernet.nl (also information in English). You can see the different offers, but to react to an advert you need to purchase credits for a small fee. You send your reaction by e-mail and you have to await the response of the person letting the room. This way of searching for accommodation requires more patience and time but you do not have to pay an agency fee.