- Pascal Tremblay
With InterNations as my network, I have been able to make many friends learn the ins and outs about living in The Hague.
Find British friends in The Hague
Imagine you could meet fellow Brits who know exactly how it is to live abroad. And who miss the same things from home, like celebrating May Day or Bonfire Night, or just watching rugby or football together. Other British expats are also a great source of first-hand tips to help you get settled in The Hague. Whether you want to know where you can get authentic British food or are looking for some buddies to watch the FA Cup with, the InterNations The Hague Community has you covered! Learn more about the ins and outs of life in The Hague and discover how you can meet other Brits living here.
Why you'll love InterNations in The Hague
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
The pros & cons of living in The Hague
No place is perfect — there’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Find out what our British members love about their life abroad but also the challenges they face in The Hague.
Pros of living in The Hague
No language barrier: Most Dutch people speak English well, so daily life and making friends with locals is not a challenge. However, it still wouldn’t hurt to learn some Dutch before moving.
Cycling habit: Bikes are a part of everyday life in The Hague. As it is a densely populated and comparatively small city, it’s often easier to cycle from one place to another than to use your car. Bike lanes are also plentiful.
Temporary tax relief: There’s a tax benefit (a.k.a. the Dutch 30/20/10 ruling) for highly skilled foreign employees, allowing them to receive up to 30% of their salary tax-free for up to 5 years.
Cons of living in The Hague
High rent: The limited housing space in The Hague makes rent prices for accommodations very expensive. You could spend a minimum of 1,000 EUR per month on a one-bedroom apartment.
Crowded: The Hague is the most densely populated city in the Netherlands, with a lot of residents and tourists competing for space in the small city. Going around the city center on weekends can be tough due to overcrowding
Bad weather: Winters in The Hague can be very cold and long. Rain is frequent, even during the summer. And when it’s not raining, the skies are often still grey, while a brutal wind is blowing.
All your questions about The Hague, answered
Most expats, including Brits, live in the more international parts of town. Here are some of the most popular parts of The Hague for expats:
Statenkwartier: One of the most international parts of town, with many international schools, embassies, and communities. Shops and boutiques are everywhere.
Zeeheldenkwartier: Located west of the city center, it features many green spaces and a lively atmosphere with a vibrant arts scene. For that reason, it’s also in high demand with families.
Archipelbuurt:Situated between the city center and Scheveningen beach, it offers many shopping areas and culinary options. Housing here is expensive, though.
Benoordenhout: With many international schools, hospitals, and green spaces, it is great for expats with families. It also offers cozy cafes and diverse restaurants.
The average salary for jobs in The Hague is around 3,500 to 4,500 EUR per month. If you’re making at least this amount, you can live comfortably here. However, if you have a family and kids to support, you might want to aim higher. Between 5,000 and 5,500 EUR is considered a good household income for a family. Here is an overview of the cost of living in The Hague:
| GBP per month | Local currency per month | |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 170 GBP | 205 EUR |
Rent for a studio apartment | 880–1,100 GBP | 1,050–1,300 EUR |
Rent for a small family home | 1,470–1,900 GBP | 1,750–2,250 EUR |
Public transportation | 45 GBP | 55 EUR |
Mobile phone & internet | 50 GBP | 60 EUR |
Meal at a restaurant (per person) | 10–30 GBP | 15–35 EUR |
Groceries (per person) | 180 GBP | 220 EUR |
Basic health insurance (public) | 100 GBP | 120 EUR |
The Hague is an international city, with 15% of its residents being expats. Many people speak English, so getting around or handling basic interactions won’t be hard. In fact, The Hague ranked 6th for the ease of living there without local language skills in the Expat City Ranking 2024. Still, you might hit the language barrier now and then, which can be frustrating. So ideally, you learn some basic Dutch in advance or use your time in The Hague to immerse yourself in the language. There are various language courses available, or you can learn for free using language apps or websites that provide free lessons. The most challenging moments usually occur when you have to handle official paperwork, find a flat, see a doctor, or make an official appointment. To help you avoid some of these struggles, we’ve collected some services that cater to English speakers (these services are not affiliated with nor endorsed by InterNations):
GPs, dentists, and more | International Health Centre Center that offers many different services, from GP services and dental care to dermatology, gynecology, physio, and more. |
Urgent care | Haaglanden Medisch Centrum (HMC) Top clinical hospital that provides 24/7 emergency care. |
Immigration assistance | Moving and Immigration The Hague Offers relocation and registration services. |
Tax advisor | Bol International Assists with filing UK taxes. |
Instant interpreting service | DayInterpreting Connect to a native Dutch speaker on your phone and use the loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you. |
Meet British expats at our events in The Hague
Moving to a new city can feel lonely if you don’t know anyone. But not to worry! Simply come to our events and make your first friends here. Don’t be shy to introduce yourself and share your expat journey with others — you’ll get to know a bunch of international people and other Brits in no time. Become part of The Hague’s large expat family and get first-hand information about your new home. Check out our upcoming events so you don’t miss the opportunity to build your network. Especially our Newcomers’ Events are geared towards people new to the city. You’ll be warmly greeted by our Ambassadors and introduced to other newcomers or more experienced expats living in The Hague.
Want to meet other Brits at our events?
Why British expats move abroad (& how they like it)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our British members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.
Meet other Brits in The Hague
Our Global Partners
Find friends to pursue your passions with
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living in The Hague? There are a variety of InterNations Groups you can join based on your interests. Groups are run by dedicated Consuls who hold at least one activity each month. They organize everything from dinners to spontaneous activities. For example, you can enjoy sipping cocktails with the Cocktail Mix and Drinks Group, find companions to visit theaters and museums with the Spontaneous Activities Group, or play football with the Sports and Outdoors Group. There’s something for everyone!
Find other Brits to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the international experience wherever life takes you
We’re not just in The Hague! InterNations has lively communities in most of the Netherlands’ major cities. If you’re traveling or moving to another Dutch city, check out our British communities in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Maastricht, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Breda, and Groningen. But that’s not all! If you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, InterNations is your go-to platform. As an InterNations member, you’re welcome to join events in any of our communities in over 420 cities worldwide. You can find the full list here: Browse all InterNations Communities worldwide.
- Pascal Tremblay
With InterNations as my network, I have been able to make many friends learn the ins and outs about living in The Hague.
- Lastri Sasongko
Making new friends and contacts in the Hague was much easier once I began to attent InterNations events.
