Average rental price in the Netherlands 2026: what is normal?

Updated on 5 November 2026. National figures for the third quarter of 2026. The city table further down concerns the second quarter.

In the third quarter of 2026, new tenants in the Dutch private sector paid on average, according to Pararius. € 1.914 per monthThat was €20,92 per square meter. Have you been renting for a longer period, or do you live in social housing or mid-market rental housing? Then you compare your rent with another group. Pararius Rent Monitor, third quarter 2026.

Do you want to calculate your rental price? Then start with the explanation about the points system for private sector rentThis allows you to see whether the rental price matches the quality of the home.

Have you just rented a home and does the rent seem too high? Then a assessment of the initial rental price sometimes yield money back.

Comparing Amsterdam to the national average can give a distorted picture. Look at the same type of home, the same period, and the basic rent. Whether your home falls below the Affordable Rent Act falls under, among other things, the housing points and your contract.

Average rental price per month and per m² in 2026

There is no single current average that accurately describes all Dutch rental properties. New rentals in the private sector are different from existing social housing contracts. Therefore, always state the source, the quarter, and the type of rental property.

How much does an apartment cost? In the same monitor, a vacant apartment came out at €22,61 per m² per month. For a single-family home, that was €16,70. Do you have a 60 m² apartment with a basic rent of €1.350? Then you pay €22,50 per m². Compare that with the figure for apartments. You need the housing points for the legally permitted rent.

• Pararius, second quarter 2026: New tenants of private sector homes paid on average € 1.882 a month, 3,1% more than a year earlier. The monitor uses homes that professional market parties offer and delist via Pararius.
• NVM and VGM NL, second quarter 2026: the average price of existing private sector homes was €19,32 per m²Apartments came in at €20,72 per m² and an average of €1.730 per month; houses at €15,10 per m² and €1.714 per month.

The sources measure different parts of the market. Therefore, do not combine these amounts into a single national average. View the quarterly figures from NVM and VGM NL and the Pararius Rent Monitor Q2 2026.

For rent sign in Amsterdam, where rents are skyrocketing.

Use the average rental price without making a mistake

Short answer: The average rental price in the Netherlands is useful for understanding the market, but not enough to determine if your rent is allowed. For that, you need to look at the basic rent, the housing valuation system, the points system, the free market or mid-market rent, and the start date of your contract.

Why is the average rent rising?

The causes of the rent increases are multiple. First, there is simply a shortage of housing. Population density in cities is increasing, while housing supply is not keeping pace with demand.

At the same time, urban living is more popular than ever — the appeal of short distances to work, culture and amenities makes it the ideal living environment for many people. This increases the pressure on the housing market, especially on the rental sector. Tenants are spending more and more on their homes, while they have less and less left for other things.

Rental market in motion: Social, middle and private sector

For social housing and mid-market rental housing, a maximum basic rent may apply according to the Housing Valuation System. The housing points, initial rent, and contract date determine which rules apply. Therefore, a private landlord does not automatically mean the free market sector.

For a genuine free-market home, there is no general maximum starting rent. However, the annual rent increase is legally capped. Therefore, a market average does not tell you how much your landlord is legally allowed to charge. Also read our explanation of the point system.

Restrictions and legislation: What is the role of government?

In 2026, a maximum annual rent increase of 4,4% applies to the private sector and 6,1% to mid-market rents. For social housing, a 4,1% increase generally applies from July 1, 2026, with separate rules for low rents and higher incomes. The permitted increase also depends on the contract and the situation; a maximum is not an automatic increase.

Check the Current rules for rent increases within the central government.

De rental commission plays an important role in protecting the rights of tenants. Tenants who feel disadvantaged by a rent increase or by overdue maintenance can come here for help. It is an important link in maintaining the balance between tenants and landlords.

The Future of the Rental Market: What Now?

The demand for rental housing, especially among people entering the housing market, remains high. However, the supply is too limited — especially in the larger cities where the pressure is highest. Is new construction the solution? It seems that new construction projects could alleviate the housing market, but the question remains: will this be fast enough and to a sufficient extent? The government is working on plans to create more affordable housing, but time will tell whether these plans will have sufficient effect.

A shared responsibility

Ultimately, the situation is a shared responsibility. While the government is trying to improve legislation and increase supply, it is also up to landlords to ensure transparency and fairness. The legislation is strict: landlords must inform tenants about the maximum rent and, in the case of furnished or upholstered properties, also make clear what the costs are for the upholstery or furnishing.

What does this mean for you?

Tenants must be well informed about their rights and obligations. The tenancy agreement is crucial in this regard — whether it concerns a temporary or an indefinite tenancy. A temporary or permanent contract does not automatically allow a rent increase: look at the sector, the agreed clause, and the applicable legal limits. Knowing your rights and what steps you can take in the event of disputes can prevent many problems. Tenants in the social housing sector, for example, can the legal desk rightly so.

Statistics and trends: What does it look like regionally?

Using data from CBS and NVM, you can see exactly how rental prices develop in different regions. This information provides a clear picture of the trends in specific cities and neighbourhoods. This is not only useful for landlords, but also for municipalities that want to develop policy to make the housing market more liveable.

For regional rental prices, compare the same source and measurement period. Below are the major cities mentioned by NVM and VGM NL in their analysis of existing private sector housing for the second quarter of 2026. This is not a ranking of all Dutch cities and not an overview of social rents.

Average rental price in major cities: Q2 2026

Source: NVM and VGM NL, published on July 29, 2026A smaller home can be more expensive per square meter than a larger home. Location, property type, and the composition of rentals also influence the average.

Is a rental price below average automatically reasonable?

No. Even an amount below the market average can be too high for a regulated home. Check the basic rent and the points, and have it determined which rules apply to your contract.

How do I compare apartment rent?

First compare the total net monthly rent and then the price per m². Keep service charges, energy, and furnishing separate. Use the same measurement method for the surface area and compare properties with similar characteristics.

The WNL program made an item about the rising rents in the Netherlands: