BRP Registration
Registering at your new address is the vital first step to unlocking your Dutch bank account, healthcare, and DigiD. Our BRP registration guide for expats covers the appointment and the documents.
Amsterdam · Expat Rentals · Since 2012
Fully furnished apartments for expats relocating to Amsterdam
Move in with a suitcase. Our all-inclusive rent covers utilities, Wi-Fi, furnishings, and linen, on a Dutch tenancy agreement. No Dutch employment contract or strict income multiples required.
✓ BRP Registration at the Address
✓ No Dutch Employment Contract Required
✓ All Utilities & Wi-Fi Included
✓ Move-In Ready
View Available Apartments →
🏠 Operating since 2012
🌍 50+ nationalities housed
🤝 ASAP Member
🏙️ I Amsterdam Partner
Expat Rentals in Amsterdam: Why the Standard Private Market Fails
Amsterdam's private rental market is built around people with a Dutch paper trail. Landlords typically expect an indefinite employment contract, Dutch payslips, and a gross monthly salary of at least three times the rent. In Q1 2026, average unregulated rents reached a staggering €28.53/m², jumping 5.1% year-on-year while rental listings continued to shrink. For international professionals arriving on a project contract, a corporate relocation package, or ahead of their official employment start date, traditional renting presents a locked door.
City Retreat bridges this gap. Our apartments are set up for international professionals: fully furnished, move-in ready, and available immediately without the restrictive income multiples that disqualify most expats from private market leases.
The terms are the same for every tenant. Every home is let on a residential tenancy agreement for an indefinite period. You can give one calendar month's notice once the initial period in your agreement has passed. Once you move in, you register in the BRP at the address, which is where your BSN comes from.
We've housed professionals from over 50 countries across top Amsterdam neighborhoods:
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇺🇸 United States
🇩🇪 Germany
🇫🇷 France
🇮🇳 India
🇦🇺 Australia
🇸🇪 Sweden
🇨🇦 Canada
🇪🇸 Spain
🇮🇹 Italy
🇿🇦 South Africa
+ 40 more
Move-In Ready
Skip the stress of buying furniture. Every flat features high-end kitchen equipment, premium bed linen, and fresh towels. Move in with just your suitcase.
All Utilities Included
Avoid setting up separate accounts with local Dutch energy, gas, and water providers. All utility usage and high-speed Wi-Fi are bundled neatly into one predictable monthly rent payment.
Rent Before You Move
Most of our tenants rent their home while still abroad. Every apartment comes with accurate photography and dimensioned floor plans, and a video walkthrough is available on request.
No Local References Required
We do not require local references or hard-to-get Dutch employment records, removing the administrative hurdles that block most newcomers from finding flat rentals.
Local Support Team
Our dedicated, Amsterdam-based maintenance and support team handles any residential questions or property issues promptly in English throughout your tenancy.
Your First Month in Amsterdam: A Practical Checklist
Beyond securing a home, settling down requires tackling essential administrative steps. Here is your timeline for your first few weeks, packed with deep-dive expat relocation guides.
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Register your address with the municipality Make an appointment online at the Gemeente Amsterdam for your first days at the address. This is the registration your BSN comes from, so it goes first on the list. Full BRP registration steps →
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Open a Dutch bank account A valid BSN is essential for permanent accounts at traditional institutions. Neobanks like Bunq or Revolut are popular digital alternatives for newcomers because they allow immediate setup.
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Register with a local GP (huisarts) The Dutch healthcare system is entirely GP-led. You must register with a neighborhood doctor to obtain specialist medical referrals. Learn how the system operates in our Amsterdam healthcare guide for expats →
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Arrange mandatory health insurance Basic healthcare insurance (basisverzekering) is a legal requirement for all residents within four months of arriving. Monthly premiums run roughly between €130 and €160 depending on your deductible choices.
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Understand your municipal billing While your direct utility usage is included in your monthly rent, residents may occasionally receive local municipal tax notices for waste management or regional water filtering. Review our guide to Amsterdam residential bills →
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Navigate your public transit options The local GVB network connects the entire city seamlessly via metros, trams, buses, and public ferries. Grab an anonymous or personal OV-chipkaart to simplify fares, or see our public transit guide for Amsterdam expats →
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File your annual Dutch tax returns Expatriates frequently qualify for the tax-saving 30% ruling. Note that for new talent hired from 2024 onwards, this legislative tax break scales back slightly to a 27% maximum cap starting in 2027. Read our Dutch tax guide for expats →
How Much Does an All-Inclusive Expat Apartment Cost?
City Retreat monthly rates are truly all-inclusive. One predictable transparent figure completely covers your base rent, utility allowances, high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity, curated furniture packages, and ongoing property maintenance.
Whether you are looking for vibrant cultural hubs like The Jordaan and De Pijp, or premium corporate communities near the financial center with our apartments in Amsterdam Zuid, we offer spaces tailored to your relocation budget.
1 Bedroom Apartments
€3,500+
per month, all-inclusive
The typical starting configuration for single corporate relocations. Features dedicated workspace layouts, perfect for finding your footing in popular districts like Amsterdam Oud-West.
2 Bedroom Apartments
€4,500+
per month, all-inclusive
Tailor-made for professional couples moving together or individuals seeking an extra guest room within central locations like the Amsterdam City Centre.
3 Bedroom Apartments
€5,400+
per month, all-inclusive
Spacious family-sized properties positioned near excellent international schools, featuring inventory in green areas like Amsterdam Oost and Oud-Zuid.
4 Bedroom Apartments
€6,500+
per month, all-inclusive
Premium, large-scale residential options designed for multi-generational relocations or families looking for comfort from their first day in town.
📌 Everything That's Factored In
Electricity consumption, water, heating gas, high-speed Wi-Fi connections, premium interior furniture design, complete kitchen setups, clean bedding sets, and reliable English-speaking support. City Retreat arranges a professional clean before you move in and at the end of the tenancy. Cleaning during the tenancy can be requested at extra cost with four days' notice. The locked-in fee you agree to is your final monthly price, completely isolated from market utility spikes.
Relocating to Rotterdam Instead? We Cover That Too
Not every move to the Netherlands lands in Amsterdam. Plenty of the professionals we speak to are heading to Rotterdam — the port and its logistics, energy and maritime engineering employers, Erasmus MC and Erasmus University, or a client project in the city centre. Others take a role in one city while their partner works in the other, and simply want the Intercity Direct connection between the two, which runs Amsterdam Centraal to Rotterdam Centraal in roughly 40 minutes.
For those moves we run a small, curated selection of furnished apartments in Rotterdam on exactly the same terms as our Amsterdam portfolio: fully furnished, all-inclusive monthly rent, and BRP registration at the address, here with Gemeente Rotterdam. The apartments are spacious two-bedroom homes in Rotterdam Noord, not far from Rotterdam Centraal.
Same standard, different city. All-inclusive rent, English-speaking local support, BRP registration at the address, and no Dutch employment contract or income multiples required.
How to Secure a Furnished Apartment in Amsterdam
A typical application goes from first enquiry to a confirmed rental within 48 hours.
1
Filter Current Availability
Explore our live database of furnished apartments by start date and number of bedrooms. Every premium apartment features true photography, verified floor plans, and comprehensive amenity transparency.
2
Consult with Relocation Experts
We know our residential portfolio intimately. Share your relocation targets—whether you need proximity to a tech office in the city center or family housing near parks—and our advisors will match your profile without sales pressure.
3
Review & Sign Your Tenancy Agreement
Receive a clear, legally sound tenancy agreement outlining transparent terms and zero hidden admin charges. We walk you through every clause so you know your rights.
4
Coordinate Move-In & Handover
Our team greets you at the property for an interactive handover. We assist with keys, run appliance orientations, and share personalized local tips to help you adapt to your new neighborhood.
5
Complete BRP Registration
You register in the BRP at the address within five days of moving in. We send you the instructions before your tenancy starts. Your BSN follows from registration. With that number your financial and professional life in the Netherlands can start.
Trusted by International Professionals Since 2012
We have proudly accommodated thousands of corporate transfers, tech developers, and families from over 50 countries. Read about the firsthand relocation experiences of our residents.
"As a remote freelancer, traditional private market agencies flat out ignored my rental applications because I didn't have local Dutch payslips. City Retreat assessed my situation holistically. I secured a beautiful furnished apartment in Oud-West within 48 hours without the typical bureaucracy."
"The customer service was exceptional. They didn't just hand over keys; they walked me through registering at the local Gemeente, pointed out the best transport paths to my office, and gave me a great walkthrough of my neighborhood. Highly recommended!"
Frequently Asked Questions — Amsterdam Expat Housing
Do I need a local Dutch employment contract to qualify?
No. Unlike traditional real estate landlords across the Netherlands, City Retreat does not expect proof of local employment or strict 3x gross income multiples. We regularly welcome expats relocating on international assignments, self-employed freelancers, or professionals moving before their employment start date.
How do I get a BSN with my City Retreat address?
You register in the BRP at the address within five days of moving in. We send you the instructions before your tenancy starts. Your BSN follows from registration.
What utilities and amenities are factored into the rent?
Your base payment encompasses all core household costs: electricity, heating gas, water utility infrastructure, fast unlimited Wi-Fi, modern functional furniture layouts, complete kitchen cookware sets, linens, and ongoing localized maintenance troubleshooting.
How quickly can I move in?
Subject to availability, an apartment can often be ready for move-in within a few working days of receiving your signed rental agreement. If you have an urgent timeline, let our team know so we can prioritize your search.
Are digital or video property viewings possible?
Yes. Because the majority of our clients rent their home while still abroad, we provide comprehensive, accurate photography and dimensioned floor plans for our apartments. High-definition video walkthroughs are readily available upon request.
Do you offer options suitable for families with children?
Yes. Our furnished rental inventory includes spacious two, three, and four-bedroom apartments perfectly situated within premium, family-friendly areas like Oud-Zuid and Amsterdam Oost, known for parks and international schools.
Do you only cover Amsterdam, or other Dutch cities as well?
Amsterdam is our main portfolio, but we also offer furnished apartments in Rotterdam on identical terms: all-inclusive rent and BRP registration at the address, with Gemeente Rotterdam. It is a practical option if your role is based in Rotterdam, or if you are splitting time between the two cities, which are around 40 minutes apart by Intercity Direct.
Why is finding a standard private rental so difficult for expats right now?
The Amsterdam housing market is facing a significant shortfall of roughly 410,000 homes nationwide. Compounded by Q1 2026 data showing average private rents hitting €28.53/m² and regulatory changes shrinking traditional buy-to-let listings, standard landlords can be highly selective—frequently prioritizing local records over international applications.
Ready to Find Your Furnished Apartment in Amsterdam?
Browse our verified live availability or consult directly with our local expat relocation experts to match the ideal property to your upcoming schedule.
View Available Apartments →