The best 7 steps to apply for social housing in the Netherlands

As you may know already, finding affordable housing in the Netherlands can feel like a mission impossible. Especially in big cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Utrecht, where demand is through the roof. Luckily, social housing is an excellent option for people with low to middle incomes, offering rental homes at controlled, budget-friendly prices. However, the process of getting social housing can be a bit overwhelming, with long waiting lists that can stretch for years.

That’s why we will walk you through the 7 key steps to apply for social housing in the Netherlands, from the stuff you need to register till finally getting a place. Can’t wait to have your own spot in the Netherlands? What are you waiting for? Check out the list down below!

🔑 What is social housing in the Netherlands?

First of all, it’s important to grasp the concept of social housing. In the Netherlands social housing (also called sociale huur) is affordable rental housing for people with lower and middle incomes. It’s managed by non-profit housing corporations and is offered at rents that are typically lower than market rates. The idea is to make sure everyone has access to a decent home, regardless of their income.

Social housing is especially important in cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht, where finding an affordable home can feel impossible. The Dutch government controls these rent prices and prioritizes individuals and families with lower incomes. However, as the demand is so high, waiting lists for social housing can get pretty long.

There are different types of social housing available, including creative options like tiny house sociale huur for people looking for a smaller, more sustainable and minimalistic living space. Whether you’re looking for social housing in Amsterdam or social housing in Rotterdam, the following 7 steps are applicable for social housing in any city in the Netherlands.

✅ 1. Check whether you are eligible for social housing

Before you apply for social housing in the Netherlands, you need to check whether you meet some important criteria. There are some requirements that ensure social housing goes to those who really need it.

Age requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for social housing in the Netherlands.

Even when you’re a minor that lives independently, you are not qualified for social housing.

Income limits

Like we mentioned earlier, social housing is for people with low to middle incomes. To qualify, your yearly taxable income can’t be higher than:

• €47,699 for a single-person household
• €52,671 for a multi-person household (couples, families, or shared living situations)

These limits are updated every year, so it’s a good idea to check for any changes if you’re applying later on. Check the income limits for social housing of 2025.

Residency status

If you’re not from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you’ll need a valid Dutch residence permit, whether it’s temporary or permanent. Without it, you can’t apply for social housing.

💡If your income’s a little over the limit, you might still be able to go for some homes with higher rents, but it all depends on the housing provider.

🏢 2. Sign up with a housing corporation for Dutch social housing

Once you’ve confirmed you’re good to go, the next step is signing up with a housing corporation or platform. Social housing in the Netherlands is managed by non-profits offering affordable homes, so getting yourself registered is key to applying for available spots.

Where do you register?

Housing corporations work through regional platforms, and each city or province has its own system. Some of the main platforms include:

• WoningNet – Covers major areas like Amsterdam, Utrecht, Almere, and Haarlem
• Wooniezie – Mainly for social housing Eindhoven and the surrounding areas
• Woonnet Rijnmond – For Rotterdam and nearby municipalities
• Thuis in Limburg – Covers Limburg province
• Huren in Holland Rijnland – For the Leiden and The Hague regions

If you’re after social housing in another city, just check out the local municipality’s website to find the right platform.

How to register?

1. Sign up on the housing platform.
2. Fill in your details, like your name, birthdate, and BSN.
3. Upload any required documents, like proof of income and residency.
4. Pay the registration fee if there’s one.

📄 3. Get the needed documents

Before you can apply for social housing, you’ll need to hand in a few documents to prove you’re eligible. This helps housing providers check things like your income, where you live, and who’s in your household. Here’s what you’ll need:

Proof of income

Housing corporations need to know whether your income meets the social housing limits. Acceptable documents are:

• Recent salary slips (usually from the last 3 months)
• Annual income statement (jaaropgave) from your employer
• Tax return (belastingaangifte) from the Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst)
• Benefit statements (if you receive social benefits like unemployment or disability)
• If you’re self-employed, submit a recent profit-and-loss statement (winst- en verliesrekening) and your latest tax return.

BRP registration (Basisregistratie personen)

You’ll need to prove your official address and residency in the Netherlands with a BRP registration. Here’s how:

• Ask for a BRP extract (Uittreksel BRP) at your local gemeente.
• Some places let you request it online, but others might request you to go in person.

Residence permit (if applicable)

If you’re not an EU/EEA citizen, you’ll need to provide a valid Dutch residence permit. This could be:

• A temporary residence permit (verblijfsvergunning regulier)
• A permanent residence permit (verblijfsvergunning onbepaalde tijd)
• A work or student visa

Without this, your social housing application won’t be handled.

Household composition (Gezinsverklaring)

If you’re applying for a place with your partner, family, or roommates, you’ll need to show proof of who’s in your household. This helps the housing corporations figure out if you’re eligible for a bigger place. Here’s what you might need:

• Request a household composition statement (uittreksel BRP met gezinssamenstelling) from your municipality.
• If applying with a partner, you may also need to show a marriage certificate or cohabitation agreement.
• If you have children, you might need to provide birth certificates or custody documents.

Other documents that may be required:

• Bank statements (to show if you’re financial stable)
• Debt or financial obligation statements
• Proof of urgency (if you’re applying for priority housing due to medical or social reasons)

🔍 4. Search for available social housing

Now that you’re all set, it’s time to start your search for available social housing! There are plenty of platforms where you can browse listings for homes that fit your needs. Some of the most popular ones include WoningNet, Wooniezie, and local housing associations. You can also use Renthunter to help you find affordable housing options across the Netherlands.

Each platform lets you filter by location, income requirements, and house type, so you can narrow down your options and quickly find the best fit.

📝 5. Apply for social housing

Once you find a social house that meets your standards, go ahead and apply! Housing’s pretty competitive these days, especially for social housing in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, so it’s best to move quickly. A lot of places get tons of applications, so preparing yourself well enough and acting fast are important!

How to apply for social housing in the Netherlands

1. Select homes you qualify for Carefully review each listing’s income requirements, household size limits, and any specific priority rules. Make sure you meet all the conditions before applying. You don’t want to waste time on homes that aren’t a good fit. Some platforms, like Renthunter, let you favorite listings and track them in your account, so you can easily manage your applications.

Also, check if the property is specifically for students or expats, as these may have different eligibility criteria.

2. Submit your application Once you’ve found a good match, submit your application through the platform. Most websites, like WoningNet and Renthunter, allow you to apply directly online. Just note that you can typically apply for one home at a time per housing corporation, so be sure to choose wisely.

In some cases, you might need to submit a motivational letter or provide extra documentation, especially if there are specific priority rules for that property.

3. Wait for the selection process Once you’ve applied, it’s time to wait. If you meet the eligibility criteria, your application will be considered. The selection process varies depending on the allocation system used by the housing corporation.

Pick the social housing that works for you

Take a look at the listings and check the income limits, how many people can live there, and any priority rules. Make sure you meet the requirements before applying, there’s no point in wasting time on places that aren’t a fit! Some sites, like Renthunter, let you save favorites so you can keep track of everything in your account. Also, see if the property is meant for students or expats, since they might have different rules.

1. Apply online Once you find a place that’s a match, go ahead and apply directly through the platform. Most websites like WoningNet and Renthunter make it easy to apply online. Just remember, you can usually apply for one home at a time with each housing corporation, so pick wisely. You might also need to send a motivation letter or extra documents, especially if the property has specific priority rules.
2. And now we wait After you’ve applied, it’s time to wait. If you meet the criteria, your application will be considered. The selection process depends on how the housing provider allocates homes.

💡If the home is assigned via the Dutch lottery system, all applicants who qualify have an equal chance of being selected. If you’re chosen, you’ll need to act fast and accept or decline the offer, usually within 48 hours.

1. Accept the offer & send in extra documents If you’re selected, you’ll get an official offer for the place. It’s super important to respond quickly, if you don’t, you might lose out! If everything looks good, you’ll probably need to send in a few more docs, get a background check, and confirm you’re accepting the offer.
2. Sign the contract & get ready to move Once everything’s set, it’s time to sign the rental contract, pay your first month’s rent, and start getting ready to move into your new social house!

📅 Step 6: Get the keys & inspect the property

Once all the paperwork’s done, it’s time to pick up your keys and officially move into your new social house! Some housing corporations will hand them to you in person, while others might just have you pick them up at their office.

Check the place & report any issues

Before you start unpacking, take a quick look around to make sure everything’s good to go. Check for any damage, missing items, or anything that looks off. If you find something, let the housing corporation know right away so they can fix it before you get settled in.

🏡 Step 7: Register your new address with the municipality (BRP update)

Once you’ve got your keys and are ready to move in, the next step is to officially register your new address with the local municipality (Gemeente). This is a legal requirement and must be done within five days of moving into your social house.

Some municipalities offer online registration, making it super easy, while others might need you to go in person. Be sure to check the correct process on your local social housing website to find out exactly what you need to do. This will ensure everything is properly registered, whether you’re living in social housing Rotterdam, social housing Utrecht, or a tiny house sociale huur.

🏁 Conclusion:

Finding and applying for social housing in the Netherlands can take a while, but if you know the 7 steps, from checking if you’re eligible to signing the lease, it’s much easier to handle and organise. Just properly prepare yourself by reading into the information found on Renthunter, follow the process, and, like always, be patient!