Wondering if you can lock in a home before you set foot in the country? You can. Here's exactly how renting from abroad works — video viewings, signing remotely, paying safely and what waits until you arrive.
If you've accepted a job or a place at a Dutch university, one worry tends to dominate the months before your move: can you actually arrange a home before you arrive — or do you have to land first and scramble for housing while living out of a suitcase? The good news is that renting from abroad is not only possible, it's how many internationals secure their home in Amsterdam and the Randstad every week.
The short answer: yes, you can
You do not need to be physically in the Netherlands to view a property, sign a contract or pay a deposit. Landlords and rental agents in the major cities work with international tenants constantly and are set up for a fully remote process. What you cannot do from abroad are the official steps that depend on a local address — registering with the municipality and receiving your BSN — but those come naturally once you have a home and have arrived.
How renting from abroad actually works
The process mirrors a local search, just conducted online. You define your wishes and budget, a shortlist of suitable homes is gathered, you view them remotely, you apply with your documents, and you sign. Working with a local rental agent who searches on your behalf is especially valuable from abroad: they filter out unsuitable and fraudulent listings, arrange viewings around your time zone, and handle the back-and-forth with landlords while you focus on your move.
Video viewings: touring a home from your laptop
The video viewing has become standard. Instead of walking through a property in person, you join a live video call while the agent walks through each room, shows the building entrance, the outdoor space and the view, and answers your questions in real time. A good video viewing covers everything an in-person visit would — ask about natural light, noise, heating, the condition of the kitchen and bathroom, and the neighbours. Record the call (with permission) so you can review it before deciding.
Applying and signing a contract remotely
Once you've chosen a home, you apply by submitting your documents and the landlord assesses your application. If you're approved, the rental contract can be signed digitally — electronic signatures are legally valid in the Netherlands, so you don't need to be in the country to make the agreement binding. Read the contract carefully before signing, and confirm one crucial point in writing: that you are permitted to register at the address with the municipality. Without that, you cannot get your BSN.
Paying the deposit and first rent from abroad — safely
You'll typically pay a deposit (legally capped at a maximum of two months' base rent for contracts signed since 1 July 2023) and your first month's rent in advance, usually by international bank transfer. This is also where caution matters most. Only transfer money after a genuine viewing and a signed contract, and only to a verifiable, legitimate party. Be extremely wary of anyone asking for a "reservation fee" up front to hold a property you haven't properly seen. For a fuller checklist on avoiding fraud, see our guide on arranging a rental before you move.
Getting the keys around your arrival
Key handover is simply coordinated with your contract's start date. Many tenants time the start of the rental to coincide with — or just before — their arrival, so they can move straight in. Discuss with the agent or landlord how and when you'll collect the keys, and whether someone can do a brief check-in inspection with you (in person or by video) to record the condition of the home.
What you can only do once you arrive
A few essential steps genuinely have to wait until you're in the country:
- Register with your municipality (BRP). If you'll live in the Netherlands for more than four months, you must register within five days of arriving. On registration you receive your BSN (citizen service number).
- Open a Dutch bank account — usually easier once you have a BSN.
- Arrange Dutch health insurance, which is mandatory for residents.
Because a registered address is the key that unlocks all of these, securing your home first is exactly what makes the rest fall into place.
A realistic timeline
Start your active search a few weeks before your move rather than months ahead. The Dutch rental market moves quickly — a home you see today can be let within days — so viewing too early means the property is gone by the time you need it. A practical rhythm is to line up video viewings once your moving date is reasonably fixed, decide quickly, sign, and arrive to a home that's ready and waiting.
Let us arrange your home before you land
Renting from abroad is far less stressful with a local partner doing the legwork. Tell us your wishes and budget and we'll search, arrange video viewings and guide you through signing — so you can step off the plane knowing exactly where you live. Share your housing preferences and our team will start straight away. Planning the move in detail? Our companion guide on finding a rental in Amsterdam is a useful next read.
