Homestay Rental in The Hague: an opportunity for expats to help ánd earn

Many internationals arriving in The Hague for studies or work struggle to find housing. But there’s good news: the concept of homestay rental is making a comeback - and expats can play a key role.

With the housing market in The Hague tighter than ever, many internationals arriving for studies or work are struggling to find affordable accommodation. But there’s good news: the concept of homestay rental (in Dutch: hospitaverhuur) is making a comeback - and expats in The Hague can play a key role.

Over the past two years, the Municipality of The Hague, together with organizations like Hospi Housing, has been promoting homestay rentals as a smart, social, and sustainable solution to the local housing crunch. And it’s working: since the campaign began in 2023, over 3.200 room seekers have signed up, with 150 new applications every month. Even students from Delft, Leiden, and Rotterdam are finding rooms in The Hague this way.

Why should expats care?

If you have a spare room in your home, renting it out as a host offers real advantages:

• Tax benefits: You can earn up to €6.300 annually tax-free under Dutch law.

• Trial period: The first nine months are considered a “trial” - so you won’t be stuck in a long-term commitment.

• No permit required: in the near future, in most situations in The Hague you don’t need a permit and you can rent for as short a period as two months..

Beyond financials, many hosts say the main reason they participate is the social aspect: meeting interesting people, creating connections, and offering a soft landing for newcomers. For expats, this can be a rewarding way to share experiences and cultures while giving back to the international community.

What does the data say?

The demographic profile of those seeking rooms is diverse:

• Age: 73% of seekers are aged 18-25.

• Nationality: Only 14% are Dutch - most seekers come from countries like Italy (10%), France (9%), and Germany (8%).

• Motivations: Affordability (28%), cultural exchange (27%), safety (22%), and social contact (21%) are key reasons why internationals choose hospita rentals.

Interestingly, many room seekers prefer some level of interaction with their host: over half say they’d like to share meals or occasional activities.

On the host side, the campaign revealed that about half of the registered hosts in The Hague are women, and nearly 50% are over 50 years old. Their top motivations? Not letting unused space go to waste, earning extra income, and wanting to help.

Strong growth despite obstacles

At the end of 2024, there were 50 successful matches via Hospi Housing in The Hague. That may sound modest, but demand clearly outstrips supply - largely due to local permit requirements that currently limit homestay rentals to single-person households in many neighborhoods.

Fortunately, this may change soon: both national and local policymakers are working to loosen restrictions and simplify the process. The municipality of The Hague has recently launched plans to ease rules for homestay rental and splitting homes. Meanwhile, campaigns have raised awareness citywide, with more than 20 media stories highlighting hospita rentals as a solution to housing shortages.

A win-win opportunity

For expats living in The Hague and the surrounding region (such as Rijswijk, Voorburg, or Delft), homestay rental is an excellent way to contribute while enjoying both financial and social rewards. It’s flexible, culturally enriching, and helps address one of the most pressing issues facing the city.

So if you have a spare room - or know someone who does - why not consider joining the growing community of hospita hosts? You’ll be making a real difference for internationals arriving in The Hague, just as you once arrived yourself.

For more information, create a free account or contact the International Welcome Center The Hague.