Amsterdam Areas: Where to Rent and Rent Out in 2026

Last updated: October 2026 · By Erdal Aydın, Amsterdam Property Renting

Every Amsterdam district has its own tenants, its own type of homes and its own rules. A canal house in the Jordaan, a family home on IJburg and a new apartment in Amstel III attract completely different people. On this page you will find all seven Amsterdam districts and the cities around Amsterdam where we rent out homes, with up-to-date figures and practical guidance for both landlords and tenants.

The seven districts of Amsterdam

Amsterdam has about 942,000 residents (1 January 2026) and around 487,000 homes, 70% of which are rented. Choose a district for local figures, neighbourhoods, transport and renting advice:

DistrictBest-known neighbourhoodsTypical tenantsGood to know
Amsterdam-CentrumCanal ring, Jordaan, PlantageSingle professionals, couples, studentsMost private rental in the city; strict holiday-rental rules
Amsterdam-WestOud-West, De Baarsjes, Westerpark, Bos en LommerYoung, highly educated professionalsDensest district; high demand close to the centre
Amsterdam Nieuw-WestSlotervaart, Osdorp, Geuzenveld, SloterdijkFamilies, airport and Zuidas staffLargest district; 6 minutes to Schiphol from Lelylaan
Amsterdam-ZuidDe Pijp, Oud-Zuid, Zuidas, BuitenveldertExpats, families, corporate tenantsZuidas business district and international schools
Amsterdam-OostOosterpark, Watergraafsmeer, Science Park, IJburgFamilies, young professionals, researchersFastest-growing district
Amsterdam-NoordOverhoeks, Buiksloterham, NDSM, NieuwendamYoung professionals, creatives, families4 minutes to Centraal by metro; much new build
Amsterdam-ZuidoostBijlmer, Amstel III, GaasperdamYoung professionals, students, healthcare staffDirect trains to Schiphol and Utrecht; Amstel III new build

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Cities around Amsterdam

Many tenants who work in Amsterdam look just outside the city for more space. We also rent out homes in:

  • Amstelveen: green and international, home to the International School of Amsterdam and Amity, next to Zuidas.
  • Hoofddorp: next to Schiphol, popular with airport and logistics staff and families.
  • Almere: a young, fast-growing city with larger homes and direct trains to Amsterdam.

Neighbourhood guides

For a closer look, we also have guides to individual neighbourhoods:

How to choose an area as a tenant

  • Start with your daily trip. Work at Zuidas? Look at Zuid, Buitenveldert, Rivierenbuurt or Amstelveen. Work at Schiphol? Nieuw-West (Lelylaan), Zuidoost (Bijlmer ArenA) or Hoofddorp.
  • Decide how much space you need. The centre and West have mostly smaller apartments; Nieuw-West, Oost (IJburg, Watergraafsmeer), Noord and Zuidoost offer more space for the money.
  • Check the rent segment. Homes with 144–186 points are regulated mid-rent in 2026, with a maximum rent of €1,228.07 per month. In Amsterdam you need a housing permit for these homes and must meet the income limits.
  • Be ready. Have your ID, employment contract and recent payslips ready before you start viewing.

Register as a tenant or see our current rentals.

Rules that apply in every district

  • Permanent contracts are the standard since 1 July 2024. Temporary contracts are only allowed for specific groups; a diplomatic clause remains possible if you live abroad temporarily.
  • Points system and mid-rent: homes with 144–186 points have a maximum rent of €1,228.07 per month in 2026. Read our guide to rental agreements.
  • Buy-to-let protection: if you bought a home with a WOZ value up to €637,000 (2026 threshold), you need a permit to rent it out during the first four years.
  • Holiday rental: a maximum of 30 nights per year with a permit, and 15 nights in designated neighbourhoods in the centre and De Pijp since April 2026.
  • Good landlordship: the deposit is capped at two months’ basic rent, and the contract and the tenant’s rights must be in writing.

Read the full Amsterdam landlord guide or our page on landlord fines.

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Amsterdam areas: frequently asked questions

Which area of Amsterdam is best for expats?

It depends on work and family. Zuid (Zuidas, Oud-Zuid, Buitenveldert) and Amstelveen are popular with expat families because of the international schools. Young professionals often choose West, Oost or Noord. If you travel a lot, Nieuw-West and Zuidoost have fast trains to Schiphol.

Which Amsterdam district has the most rental homes?

In every district most homes are rented; in Amsterdam as a whole about 70% of homes are rented. Centrum has the highest share of private rental (40%). Nieuw-West, the largest district, has almost 19,000 privately rented homes.

Where in Amsterdam do families rent?

Families often rent on IJburg and in Watergraafsmeer (Oost), in Oud-Zuid, Stadionbuurt and Buitenveldert (Zuid), in De Aker and Nieuw-Sloten (Nieuw-West), in the garden villages of Noord, and in Amstelveen.

Do the rental rules differ per district?

Most rules are the same throughout Amsterdam. The main difference is holiday rental: 15 nights per year in designated neighbourhoods in the centre and De Pijp, and 30 nights elsewhere.

Do you rent out homes outside Amsterdam?

Yes. Besides all Amsterdam districts, we rent out homes in Amstelveen, Hoofddorp, Almere and other towns in the region. Contact us for a free rent check.

Sources for the figures on this page