Frequently Asked Questions

The minimum stay is two months. City Retreat specialises in flexible medium-term accommodation for expats, professionals, and corporate guests who need more than a hotel but less commitment than a traditional 12-month lease.

For a full overview of what's included and how it works, visit our serviced apartments Amsterdam guide.

Browse and request to book on our properties page. Filter by bedrooms, dates, and price to find what suits you. If you find something you like, send an enquiry directly or email bookings@cityretreat.com with the apartment and dates required. We confirm bookings within 24 hours.

Yes. We work directly with HR teams, mobility managers, and corporate clients. Email your requirements to bookings@cityretreat.com and we will handle everything from there, including direct invoicing to the company.

For more on corporate bookings, visit our corporate housing Amsterdam page.

Pets are considered on a case-by-case basis. We typically ask for photos of your pet and ask tenants to confirm they accept responsibility for any damage or disturbance caused.

A limited number of our apartments include parking. For most guests, we recommend using Amsterdam's excellent public transport or cycling — parking in the city centre is expensive and traffic can be challenging. Amsterdam is genuinely one of the world's great cycling cities.

For full parking information, visit our Amsterdam parking guide.

All apartments are fully furnished and all-inclusive. Every unit comes with:

• Fully equipped kitchen — appliances, utensils, cutlery, glassware
• High-speed Wi-Fi
• Fresh linen and towels
• Washer-dryer, iron, vacuum cleaner, hairdryer
• Desk and workspace
• All utilities — gas, electricity, water — included in the monthly rate
• Deep cleaned before your arrival

The price you see is the price you pay — no hidden bills.

Yes. Gas, electricity, water, and Wi-Fi are all included up to a reasonable usage limit stated in your rental agreement. The energy cap primarily encourages responsible use — tenants are warned if they exceed the cap and given time to reduce consumption before any action is taken.

Yes. Extra cleaning can be arranged at any time with four days' notice. Depending on the apartment's condition, there will be an additional charge. Contact info@cityretreat.com to arrange.

VVE (Dutch Housing Association) rules, if applicable, will be communicated at check-in. Generally, loud parties after hours, smoking, and recreational drugs are strictly forbidden on the property. We kindly ask all tenants to be respectful to neighbours.

Yes. By Dutch law, we issue an indefinite tenancy agreement. You can terminate at any time with one calendar month's notice. Please let us know your leaving date by email and we will inform the owner accordingly.

Yes. You can use the tenancy agreement to register your address with the Amsterdam municipality and obtain your BSN from day one. Your BSN is essential for opening a bank account, registering with a GP, and receiving a Dutch salary.

For a step-by-step guide, see our Amsterdam BSN registration guide.

If you plan to live in Amsterdam for more than four months, you are generally required to register. For stays under four months, registration is not typically required, though exceptions apply. We recommend checking with Gemeente Amsterdam for your specific situation.

To avoid tourist tax, you need to register with the municipality within one month of arrival. We advise booking the appointment early as availability fills up quickly. If you do not register within one month, tourist tax will be charged to both yourself and the host.

• No payment is required at the time of booking
• An invoice for the first month's rent is sent 3-4 weeks before arrival
• If booked within 3-4 weeks of arrival, the invoice is sent 2-3 days after booking
• Payment must be made within 48 hours of the invoice to hold the booking
• The deposit can be paid any time before arrival or at check-in
• Subsequent monthly invoices are sent one week before each payment due date

We recommend paying by EU bank transfer to the IBAN on the invoice — this avoids transfer fees. We also accept credit card, PayPal, wire transfer, and services such as Wise. Tenants are responsible for any transfer fees charged by third-party payment providers.

A deposit equal to one month's rent is required. We produce a full property inspection report with signed photos at both check-in and check-out.

• If only a basic clean is needed after checkout (up to 150 euros), we return 100% of the deposit within 48 hours
• For apartments with more than one bedroom, we cover an additional 50 euros per extra bedroom
• Deductions can only be made for actual damage or unreasonable cleanliness — not normal wear and tear
• If damage or a deep clean is needed, let us know before checkout so we can act quickly and return the deposit promptly

Please email us the bank account you'd like the deposit returned to when you check out.

We typically process deposits within 2 to 14 days after checkout. Timing depends on the apartment's condition. Any delays are caused by the need for extra cleaning, maintenance, or repairs — we will always communicate this clearly.

• Free cancellation within 48 hours of confirming the booking
• Free cancellation at any time up to one month before arrival
• Cancellations within one month of arrival are charged a fee equal to the first month's rent

You can terminate at any time with one calendar month's notice. For example, a notice given on 12 April will terminate on 31 May. There is no fixed end date — you stay for as long as you need.

Yes, subject to availability. We tend to book up quickly, so let us know as early as possible if you want to extend. Some tenants prefer to book a longer period upfront and terminate with one month's notice when their plans become clearer.

After booking, you'll receive a confirmation with access to our back office portal, apartment details, and the ability to set your arrival time. Before check-in, make sure:

• The first month's rent and deposit have been paid
• You have communicated your arrival time so we can meet you at the property

We do our best to accommodate your preferred time. If the previous tenant checks out on the same day, check-in may not be available until after 15:00. We kindly request check-ins take place before 22:00 where possible. Contact info@cityretreat.com to schedule your arrival time.

In the lead-up to your checkout date, you will receive several emails to help you prepare, including one from a team member asking for your preferred checkout time. We will meet you at the apartment to check the property and collect the keys. Please also remember to de-register your address with Gemeente Amsterdam.

Yes. We produce a full property inspection report at both check-in and check-out, including signed photos of all rooms, drawers, cupboards, keys, thermostat, boiler, meters, and storage areas. This report is signed by both the tenant and our agent and sent to all parties.

• New bookings and enquiries: bookings@cityretreat.com
• Check-in, check-out, maintenance: info@cityretreat.com
• WhatsApp (fastest response): +31 6 44 44 12 31
• Office phone (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm): +31 8 50 02 42 01
• Finance queries: james@cityretreat.com
• Cleaning and linen: jorge@cityretreat.com