Dutch real estate market: why buy property abroad in the Netherlands in 2025

The Netherlands is renowned for its architectural masterpieces, and owning a luxury home here symbolises not only a high social status, but also the ability to enjoy truly exceptional living conditions. Property in the Netherlands is an opportunity to experience a unique atmosphere where history meets modernity and prestige meets refined comfort.

Why you should pay attention to property in the Netherlands

High-end properties are not just luxury, but an investment in a stay imbued with unique Dutch traditions and quality standards. In Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam you can find accommodation that harmonises historic architecture with ultra-modern technology. Holland is one of the few countries where modern homes can be located in the same neighbourhood as monuments that are several hundred years old. This creates a unique cultural and historical space.

Architectural heritage and modern technology

The Dutch know how to preserve and use historic buildings wisely. For example, many luxury apartments are adapted to modern engineering requirements, preserving their authentic appearance. The aquatic civilisation successfully introduces energy-saving technologies such as geothermal heating, solar panels and smart home systems. All this makes investing in Dutch property not only attractive, but also environmentally friendly.

Prestigious neighbourhoods and their characteristics

The Canalengracht in Amsterdam is a mecca for those who appreciate prestige and luxury. A canalside home is more than just a view of the water, it is a part of the city’s history. Premium homes in Amsterdam are often located in the neighbourhood of old mansions, allowing you to not only enjoy luxury but also feel part of history. The Hague and Rotterdam also offer unique neighbourhoods to live in, where sophistication and a high standard of living become the norm.

How real estate emphasises your status

A symbol of prestige and success that distinguishes its owner. Each property is unique, be it the view of Amsterdam’s picturesque canals, the designer interiors or the proximity to significant cultural sites. Owning a luxury property in the Netherlands emphasises refined taste and is a sign of a high standard of living, providing opportunities to enjoy all the benefits of the modern world.

Views of the canals and unique interiors

Living with a canal view is not just about romance, but a daily sense of harmony and connection with nature. Apartments in the Netherlands often offer views of Amsterdam’s famous canals, where every morning can be greeted with a view of the water and historic facades that have remained unchanged for centuries. The interiors of such properties are designed by leading designers, making every detail unique.

Proximity to cultural and business centres

Privileged Estates is located near key cultural and business venues. This means that the best museums, theatres, galleries and restaurants are literally steps away. Proximity to such venues allows you to live a busy life at the centre of cultural events, as well as quick and easy access to business meetings.

What are the benefits of buying luxury property in the Netherlands

Buying a top-level residence offers the owner many advantages: a high standard of living, privacy and sustainability of the investment. The area here is constantly growing in value, making it a favourable investment for future generations. Thanks to a transparent taxation system and a stable economy, buying square metres here guarantees investment protection and minimal risks.

Tax incentives and investment prospects

Property taxes in the Netherlands are a transparent and clear system that allows you to predict future costs. In addition, there are tax incentives for buyers, which makes such investments even more attractive. Investments demonstrate stable returns, which is especially important in conditions of global economic instability. Mortgage on property in the Netherlands for foreigners is also available on favourable terms.

Privacy and high standards of living

Gated residential complexes, access to private parks and well-developed infrastructure provide a high level of privacy and security for the whole family. This is an ideal place for those who value privacy and comfort. A villa in the Netherlands is not just a home, it is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

Premium estates in the tulip kingdom for family and business

Safe neighbourhoods, international schools, access to the best medical facilities make this country an ideal place to live for the whole family. Holland also offers great business opportunities.

Safety and access to education

The cost of living in The Hague State is quite high, but it corresponds to the level of services provided. Security in prestigious neighbourhoods is top-notch, and international schools and kindergartens guarantee excellent education for children. All this is attractive for families who want to provide a better future for their children. Property in Amsterdam allows you to enjoy all the benefits of city life without giving up safety and a high level of comfort.

Business opportunities and prestigious surroundings

Investing in commercial property in the Netherlands opens up prospects for international investors seeking to strengthen their position in the European market. Prestigious surroundings, proximity to business centres, convenient transport infrastructure – ideal for setting up an office or holding business meetings. The flat country is renowned for its stability and high level of economic development: business immigration offers great prospects for entrepreneurs who want to expand their opportunities.

Conclusion

Buying property in the Netherlands is an investment in stability, prestige and a high standard of living. It is an opportunity to become part of a unique culture, enjoy architectural masterpieces and secure a future for yourself and your family in one of the most progressive countries in Europe. The birthplace of Rembrandt offers everything you need for comfort and successful business. Buying a flat in the Netherlands is not only an investment in the present, but also a certainty for the future.

Real estate investments have long been considered a “foolproof” strategy. Alongside gold and currency, square meters were perceived as an untouchable asset. However, this is where most stereotypes and simplified notions have formed, which are far from reality. The market has changed, and along with it, the rules of the game. The overview debunks entrenched myths about real estate investments, revealing the actual aspects of profitability, risks, strategies, and approaches to properties.

Myth #1. Real Estate Always Increases in Value

The position of square meters in the market directly depends on macroeconomic conditions, regulatory policies, infrastructure changes, and even demographic shifts. In cities with declining populations, such as Nizhny Tagil, Kovrov, or Rubtsovsk, prices have fallen by 12–18% over the past 5 years.

Even in Moscow, the growth has been uneven: in areas with mass development, such as Nekrasovka, Solntsevo, or Butovo, the average price per square meter decreased from 245,000 to 208,000 rubles in 2024. The reason is oversupply and infrastructure overload.

Understanding that real estate is not a guarantee of stable growth but a market instrument is critical for calculating profitability. Professional investors track cyclicality: growth in 2010–2012, stagnation in 2015, a surge in 2020–2022 due to subsidies, and a correction in 2024 amid a rise in the key rate.

Myth #2. Renting Out Property Guarantees Stable Income

Another myth about real estate investments: long-term renting requires regular monitoring and is rarely passive. Tenant turnover, property damage, non-payment, legal disputes — these are real risks. Moreover, profitability often turns out to be lower than expected. Real example: an apartment in Kazan (RC “Vesna”), cost — 6.8 million rubles. Rent — 35,000 per month. Yield:

1. Gross: 6.1% per annum.
2. Net (considering expenses such as tax, depreciation, utilities, 1.5 months of vacancy per year): net yield — 3.9%.

And when using mortgage leverage with a monthly payment of 49,000 rubles at 15% per annum, such an asset goes into a loss of over 170,000 rubles per year.

Myth #3. Investing in New Buildings Is Always Profitable

Construction is a zone of shifting deadlines, bankruptcies, hidden layout and occupancy risks. Developers mask the high cost per square meter with “finishing as a gift” or “mortgages with government support,” but the real overpayment is factored into the price. Example: RC “Seliger City,” Moscow. A 26 m² studio apartment initially cost 5.6 million rubles (2021). In 2024 — 5.9 million. Growth — 5.3% over 3 years, but inflation over the same period — 24.6%.

Adding the cost of repairs (from 650,000 rubles), time to sell (on average 3–5 months), agent commission, and tax — real estate investment loses its attractiveness, resulting in debunking another myth.

Myth #4. Investing in Luxury Real Estate Is a Secure Asset

The premium segment targets a narrow audience sensitive to economic, currency, and political factors. Apartments in complexes like “Zilart,” “Sadovye Kvartaly,” “Lavrushinsky” cost from 65 million rubles. Renting them out can fetch 300–400 thousand per month, yielding 4–5% without considering expenses.

However, the liquidity of such real estate is extremely low. The average exposure time on the market is up to 8 months, and the actual discount when selling is 12–17% off the listed price. Additionally, maintaining such properties (concierge, parking, management company, insurance, repairs) requires 2.5–3 times more expenses than in the economy and comfort classes.

Myth #5. Mortgage Helps Profit from Price Appreciation

Mortgage leverage can enhance profitability only in a phase of active market growth. With a high rate (13% in 2024), the mortgage payment exceeds the rental income even with good occupancy. The amount overpaid to the bank over 15 years for a 9 million ruble loan at 14.2% will exceed 15 million. Even a slight 5% drop in the property price will result in a loss if own contributions were only 20% of the value. Mortgage turns the investment into speculation with a high risk factor.

Myth #6. Apartments Are the Same Asset as Houses

Debunking the popular myth about real estate investments. Apartments are not equivalent to houses in status. Lack of permanent registration, higher utility tariffs, the need for a commercial contract with a management company reduce profitability.

In the “Ye’s Technopark” residential complex (Moscow), apartments of 22 m² are rented out for 32,000 rubles. But with a cost of 6.1 million rubles and expenses (6% tax, management — 3500 ₽/month, cleaning, advertising), the final yield is no more than 3.3%. Moreover, banks finance apartments less favorably: higher rates, shortened terms, larger down payments.

Myth #7. Renovation and Design Increase Profitability

Investment renovation requires strict optimization: the focus is not on design solutions but on practicality, durability, and cost minimization. Overpaying for furniture, decorative solutions, or an “author’s style” does not proportionally increase rent. What really works:

1. Vinyl flooring instead of laminate — increases service life by 3–4 years.
2. Washable paint instead of wallpaper — reduces renovation costs.
3. IKEA + OZON — furniture set up to 80,000 rubles with replacement every 6 years.
4. Installation of meters, LEDs, flow filters — saves up to 12% on utilities.
5. Universal wall color (beige, light gray) — reduces tenant rejections.

Renovation should pay off within 18–24 months. Anything beyond this horizon is excessive and unprofitable.

Myth #8. Real Estate Investments Abroad Are a Safe Haven

Real estate markets outside Russia are often inaccessible for physical control. In the EU and the USA, strict tax regulations apply: in France, the tax on rental income reaches 45%, in Canada, there is an annual property value assessment with subsequent taxation starting at 1.2%.

In Turkey and the UAE, popular destinations for Russians, there are hundreds of cases of legal conflicts related to servicing, double sales, translation errors in documents. Real estate abroad is not a “safe haven” but a complex asset with a high degree of bureaucracy and unpredictable legislative risks.

Myth #9. Real Estate Is a Diversification Tool

In terms of expenditure structure and management, real estate is closer to a business than a passive asset. Unlike a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, currencies, and commodities, the niche requires personal involvement: tenant control, bill payment, interaction with management companies, participation in meetings, legal responsibility. One property does not solve the task but, on the contrary, concentrates risk. Especially when using loans or investing all capital.

Reality vs. Myths about Real Estate Investments

Myths about real estate investments have been formed over decades, but the new economy requires reassessment. Each transaction is not a template but a calculation. Strong profitability arises at the intersection of analysis, discipline, accurate calculation, and understanding of expenditure structure. An investor compares alternatives, models scenarios, calculates liquidity, and makes choices not based on popularity but on numbers. A successful strategy excludes emotions, relies on cold analytics, and uses real estate as a tool, not just an idea.