Fully furnished, all-inclusive apartments with flexible 2+ month contracts — move in, register, feel at home.
Real Amsterdam apartments with a real kitchen, a proper address, and everything included — rent, utilities, Wi-Fi and linen — on flexible Dutch tenancy agreements that support BSN registration from day one.
What Is a Serviced Apartment in Amsterdam?
A serviced apartment is a fully furnished, self-contained home available for medium to long-term stays. Unlike a hotel room, you have a proper kitchen, a living area and a real address — which matters enormously when you're living and working in Amsterdam, not just passing through.
For expats arriving in the Netherlands, a serviced apartment solves three problems at once: somewhere to live immediately, somewhere to register your address for your BSN, and a comfortable base while you find your feet in a new city.
Your BSN (citizen service number) is essential for opening a Dutch bank account, accessing healthcare, signing employment contracts and more. You can only obtain one after registering at a valid residential address — which City Retreat apartments support from day one. See our BSN registration guide for the full process.
Fully Furnished
Move-in ready from day one. Every apartment is inspected and equipped before you arrive.
All Utilities Included
Electricity, water, gas and high-speed Wi-Fi — all covered in your monthly rate.
Flexible Contracts
Stay for a season or a year — your tenancy simply continues until you give one month's notice. No annual renewal paperwork.
BSN Registration
Register your Amsterdam address with the municipality from the start of your tenancy.
Deep-Cleaned on Arrival
Every apartment is professionally cleaned before check-in, every time.
48hr Maintenance
Log an issue with our team and a local contractor is typically on-site within two working days, tracked start to finish.
The Amsterdam Housing Market: What Expats Actually Face
Amsterdam's rental market is under sustained pressure. Average rents reached €28.53/m² in Q1 2026 — up 5.1% year-on-year — and the Netherlands has a housing shortage of around 410,000 homes. The share of unregulated listings priced above €2,000/month has climbed from 36.5% to 42% in a year. If you're arriving for a relocation, a project contract or a study year, here's what you're up against.
| Challenge | Private Rental | Hotel / Short-Let | City Retreat |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSN / address registration | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| No minimum income required | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Flexible terms | ✗ | Short only | ✓ |
| All-inclusive pricing | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fully furnished on arrival | Rarely | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real Amsterdam apartment feel | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Available within days | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Private rentals in Amsterdam typically expect a long-term tenant, proof of Dutch employment, and a salary of at least three times the monthly rent. For anyone arriving on a project basis, a short relocation, or between contracts, that simply doesn't work.
Hotels and short-let platforms solve the short-term problem but don't allow municipality registration — which means no BSN, no bank account, no DigiD. City Retreat sits squarely in the gap: real apartments, real addresses, flexible timelines. For more on how this is affecting relocating professionals specifically, see why employees are rejecting job offers in Amsterdam.
How Much Do Serviced Apartments in Amsterdam Cost?
Costs vary by size, location and contract length. City Retreat's pricing covers rent, utilities, Wi-Fi, furnishings and linen — so the figure you see is the figure you pay.
All rates include electricity, water, gas, high-speed Wi-Fi, fully furnished interiors, kitchen equipment, bed linen and towels, a professional deep-clean before arrival, and access to our team throughout your stay — a useful fixed point against a private rental market where Amsterdam asking rents rose another 5.1% in the year to Q1 2026.
Amsterdam Neighbourhoods: Where to Live as an Expat
Amsterdam is a compact city, but each neighbourhood has its own character. City Retreat has apartments across the most desirable areas for international professionals and their families.
City Centre / Canal Ring
Grachtengordel · CentrumAmsterdam's historic heart. UNESCO-listed canal houses, walking distance to everything. Lively, central and unmistakably Dutch.
De Pijp
Vibrant · CosmopolitanAmsterdam's most international neighbourhood. Home to the Albert Cuyp Market, dozens of cuisines, and a lively café culture.
Amsterdam Zuid / Zuidas
Business District · PolishedThe city's financial and corporate district. Home to major multinationals and investment banks, with excellent transport links to Schiphol.
Jordaan
Charming · ResidentialNarrow streets, independent galleries and neighbourhood bakeries. Quiet enough to live in, interesting enough to never tire of.
Oud-West
Residential · RelaxedLeafy streets, Vondelpark on the doorstep, and great local markets. Popular with families and professionals who want space and calm.
Amsterdam East
Creative · Up-and-ComingArtis Zoo, Oosterpark, craft coffee shops and a genuine local community. Excellent value and increasingly popular with younger expats.
How to Book an Amsterdam Serviced Apartment with City Retreat
Most tenants go from first enquiry to confirmed booking within a few days.
Browse Available Properties
Search live availability by move-in date, duration and bedrooms. Each listing shows photos, floor plans and exactly what's included.
Speak to Our Team
Our team knows the portfolio inside out and can match you to the right apartment. No sales pressure — just practical help.
Review and Sign Your Contract
A straightforward tenancy agreement. Flexible start dates, clear terms, no surprises in the small print.
Move In
We meet you at the apartment for a full handover — keys, walk-through and a rundown of your new home and neighbourhood.
Register Your Address
We support your municipality registration so you can get your BSN and settle into Amsterdam without unnecessary delays.
Trusted by Expats & Corporate Professionals
We've housed professionals from over 50 countries since 2012. Here's what a few of them had to say.
"I'd looked at a dozen short-let listings before finding City Retreat — none of them came close. The De Pijp apartment was spotless, the market is right on the doorstep, and it never felt like a 'serviced' anything. It just felt like my flat."
"Something went wrong with the boiler in my first week — I reported it in the morning and someone had been out and fixed it by the next afternoon. That 48-hour promise is real, and it's the reason I extended my stay twice."
"We took a two-bedroom in the Jordaan with about four weeks' notice and it was ready exactly as photographed — right down to the coffee machine. Everything being one bill made the whole move far less stressful than we expected."
"After years abroad I needed somewhere in Amsterdam Zuid at short notice while I found a permanent place. The team had three options for me within a day, and the apartment itself was better finished than most places I viewed to buy."
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in a City Retreat serviced apartment?
City Retreat offers flexible contracts — no fixed end date, with one month's notice to leave. If your plans change, we'll work with you; we're not in the business of holding people to terms that no longer fit their situation.
Can I register my address (BSN) at a City Retreat apartment?
Yes. City Retreat operates registered serviced accommodation, meaning tenants can register their address with the municipality of Amsterdam to obtain a BSN — one of the most important practical advantages we offer over hotels and short-let platforms.
What exactly is included in the monthly rent?
Everything you need to live: all utilities (electricity, water, gas), high-speed Wi-Fi, fully furnished interiors with kitchen equipment, fresh linen and towels, and a professional deep-clean before your arrival. No hidden extras.
Do I need a Dutch employment contract to rent with City Retreat?
No. Private landlords often require Dutch payslips or a minimum salary multiple, which excludes many expats, self-employed professionals and those arriving ahead of their start date. City Retreat doesn't apply those same restrictions.
Which neighbourhoods do you operate in?
City Retreat has apartments in the Canal Ring / City Centre, De Pijp, Amsterdam Zuid / Zuidas, Jordaan, Oud-West and Amsterdam East. Availability changes regularly — browse current listings or contact us for up-to-date options.
How quickly can I move in?
Often within a few days of confirming your booking, subject to availability. If you're arriving at short notice, tell us and we'll do our best.
Is City Retreat suitable for corporate bookings?
Absolutely. A significant portion of our tenants arrive through corporate relocation packages. We work directly with HR teams and mobility managers, including invoicing arrangements and multiple bookings across the year. See our corporate housing page for details.
Why is it so hard to find a private rental in Amsterdam right now?
Amsterdam's rental market lost more properties than were listed in Q1 2026, average rents reached €28.53/m² (up 5.1% year-on-year), and the Netherlands has a housing shortage of roughly 410,000 homes. That combination makes a fast, no-strings private rental very difficult for new arrivals — which is the gap a serviced apartment fills. Read more in our analysis of Amsterdam's 2026 housing market.
Ready to Find Your Amsterdam Home?
Browse current availability across all City Retreat neighbourhoods — or get in touch and let us find the right match for you.
View Available Apartments →