Renting in the Netherlands Now Requires a Salary Above €5000
A new Pararius report shows average rents rising to €1,830 and listings dropping 36%, forcing tenants to earn over €5,490/month to compete.
The Dutch private rental sector is facing enormous pressure, with prices rising faster than ever and fewer homes available for a growing number of tenants. According to the Q2 2025 Rental Report by Pararius, renters must now earn over €5,490 gross per month to afford the average rental home—€800 more than last year.
Shrinking Supply and Record Competition
The number of unregulated rental properties available in the Netherlands dropped by a staggering 36.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Just 12,744 homes became available nationwide, while demand surged—each listing received an average of 57 responses, the highest since records began in 2021.
Homes are also being snapped up faster than ever, staying online for an average of just 18 days.
Rents Climb Past €1,830 on Average
The average monthly rent for new tenants reached €1,830, a 17% increase year-on-year. Landlords typically require renters to earn three times the monthly rent, pushing the required gross income to €5,490.
As shown in the chart below, this marks a significant jump from last year’s average rent of €1,558 and required income of €4,675.
Price per Square Metre Tops €20
For the first time, the average price per square metre surpassed €20 nationally. Apartments averaged €21.31/m², and single-family homes averaged €16.11/m². The increase was seen across all delivery types:
Furnished: €25.16/m²
Upholstered: €22.16/m²
Unfurnished (Shell): €19.47/m²
Where Are Prices Rising Most?
While Amsterdam remains the most expensive city at €27.91/m², smaller cities outside the Randstad are experiencing the sharpest increases. For example:
Roermond: +28.3% (€16.80/m²)
Hoorn: +25.4% (€20.79/m²)
Leeuwarden: +24.8% (€15.28/m²)
Provincial Trends: Drenthe and Limburg Lead Price Growth
Rental prices rose across every province. Drenthe saw the steepest increase at +16.7%, followed by Limburg (+16.3%), and Friesland (+12.3%). Even in the Randstad provinces, prices continued their upward trend:
Noord-Holland: €24.52/m² (+4.2%)
Zuid-Holland: €20.15/m² (+5.6%)
Utrecht: €19.88/m² (+6.2%)
Detailed provincial data is available in the table below.
Mid-Range Rentals Under Pressure
Previously considered more affordable, homes priced between €1,185–€1,500/month attracted over 35% of all applications, even though they accounted for only 27% of listings. The mid-range segment (€1,500–€2,000) is also tightening, as renters shift their focus upward out of necessity.
Landlords Exit the Market
Over 2,100 homes were withdrawn from the rental market and sold instead—a 42% increase from a year ago. Many landlords are opting to sell their properties due to less favourable rental regulations and poor profitability.