When moving to the Netherlands, one of the first decisions you'll need to make is what type of home best suits your lifestyle and preferences. The Dutch housing market offers a wide range of options, from apartments in bustling cities to spacious detached homes in quieter areas.

Types of homes in the Netherlands

Apartments & multi-unit housing

These homes are common in cities and offer convenience, often being close to amenities and public transport.

• Appartement (apartment) – A self-contained unit in a building with multiple homes. It typically has multiple rooms on a single floor.
• Studio – A compact apartment consisting of just one room that serves as the living, sleeping, and kitchen area, with a separate bathroom.
• Penthouse – A luxury apartment located on the top floor of a multi-unit building, often featuring larger living spaces and terraces.
• Maisonnette – A multi-level apartment within a building, with its own entrance from a shared hallway or gallery.
• Bovenwoning (upper floor apartment) – An apartment on the top floors of a building, often with multiple levels.
• Benedenwoning (ground floor apartment) – An apartment on the ground floor, sometimes with its own garden.
• Galerijflat (gallery apartment) – An apartment with an entrance from an external walkway (gallery) on the outside of the building.
• Portiekflat (entrance hall apartment) – An apartment accessed via a shared, enclosed stairwell or entrance hall.
• Corridorflat – An apartment where the entrance leads to an internal hallway (corridor) within the building.

Single-Family Homes

These homes provide more space and privacy, making them ideal for families.

• Eengezinswoning (single-family home) – A home designed for one household, with no other residences above or below it.
• Rijtjeshuis (terraced house) – A house that is part of a continuous row of identical or mirror-image houses, sharing walls with neighbors on both sides.
• Hoekwoning (corner house) – A terraced house located at the end of a row, typically offering extra space and more natural light.
• Eindwoning (end-terrace house) – Similar to a hoekwoning but without additional land on the side.
• Vrijstaand (detached house) – A standalone house with no shared walls, offering maximum privacy and space.