Where you meet it
Listings say "huisvestingsvergunning vereist" or "huisvestingsvergunning nodig", and English pages "housing permit required". It is not a residence permit (verblijfsvergunning), and it is not the same as registering your address with the municipality. All three are separate.
Each municipality decides in its own housing bylaw (huisvestingsverordening) which homes need a permit. The Huisvestingswet 2014 sets the national frame (art. 7 to 10). Rules differ a lot between cities, so check your municipality's website before you apply for a home.
In a sample of 20,000 listings that appeared on RentHunter between 19 September and 19 October 2026, 0.65% mention a huisvestingsvergunning in the description.
What it means for you
- No permit, no move. Moving into a home without a required permit is forbidden (art. 8 lid 1), and so is letting it to someone without one (art. 8 lid 2).
- Internationals can qualify. You need Dutch nationality or lawful residence in one of the categories listed in the law (art. 10 lid 2), and, where the municipality sets them, an income within the limits.
- Fines are possible on both sides. In 2026 the legal maximum is €550 for living in a home without the permit, and €27,500 for letting it to someone without one (€110,000 for a repeat within 4 years). Each municipality sets its own amounts within these limits.
Which homes need one
| Segment (starting base rent, 2026) | Housing permit |
|---|---|
| Social rent, up to €932.93 | Often required |
| Middenhuur, above €932.93 up to €1,228.07 | In some municipalities, with income limits |
| Free sector, above €1,228.07 | Generally not required |
For middenhuur, the law sets the middle income at up to €70,149 for a single person and up to €93,531 for a household of two or more (art. 10 lid 3 and 4). Municipalities may set higher limits.
Example: you are single and earn €65,000 a year. You are within the statutory middle-income limit of €70,149. A couple with a combined income of €95,000 is above €93,531, so they can only get a middenhuur permit if the municipality has set a higher limit.
Many social rentals are allocated through a waiting list, where your inschrijfduur counts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a housing permit for a free-sector flat?
Generally no. A free-sector home has a starting base rent above the liberalisatiegrens of €1,228.07 in 2026, and permits usually cover social and middenhuur homes.
Can an expat get a huisvestingsvergunning?
Yes, with lawful residence in the Netherlands and an income within the limits your municipality uses.
Who applies for the permit, me or the landlord?
Usually you, the tenant. When you rent from a housing corporation, the corporation often arranges it as part of the allocation.
