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Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our The Netherlands Property Pack
If you're thinking about renting out property in Rotterdam, knowing what tenants actually pay right now is essential.
Rotterdam's rental market in 2026 is tight, fast-moving, and shaped by forces that are very specific to this Dutch port city.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest rental prices in Rotterdam, so you always have fresh data.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Rotterdam.
Insights
- Rotterdam rental listings receive about 42 responses on average and disappear within 18 days, which means landlords in Rotterdam can be selective with tenants in 2026.
- Studios in Rotterdam rent at a higher price per square meter (around €30 to €33) than larger apartments because smaller units are in short supply relative to demand.
- The €1,500 to €2,000 monthly rent band in Rotterdam is where competition is fiercest, as cheaper options are rare and anything above €2,000 is unaffordable for most households.
- Kralingen near Erasmus University is one of the fastest-renting neighborhoods in Rotterdam because it combines student demand with young professional appeal.
- Rotterdam's rent growth of about 7% year-over-year in 2026 outpaces Dutch inflation, which means tenants are spending a growing share of income on housing.
- Furnished apartments in Rotterdam command roughly €26 per square meter versus €20 for unfurnished, giving landlords a clear incentive to furnish units for expat tenants.
- VvE (homeowners association) fees in Rotterdam apartments average around €160 per month, which landlords must factor into their net yield calculations.
- Energy-efficient upgrades like insulation and modern heating systems in Rotterdam deliver strong rental returns because tenants are wary of high utility bills.
- Peak rental demand in Rotterdam hits in August and September when students and new employees arrive, so landlords listing in summer often secure higher rents.
- Rotterdam landlords pay Box 3 wealth tax on deemed returns rather than actual rental income, which can result in effective tax rates of 1.5% to 2.5% of property value annually.
What are typical rents in Rotterdam as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Rotterdam as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio apartment in Rotterdam is around €1,100, which is approximately $1,190 or £990.
The realistic range for most studios in Rotterdam spans from €950 to €1,300 per month (about $1,025 to $1,405), depending on location and condition.
What causes this variation in Rotterdam studio rents is mainly the neighborhood (central areas like Cool or Stadsdriehoek cost more), the building's age, energy efficiency, and whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Rotterdam as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Rotterdam is around €1,450, which translates to approximately $1,565 or £1,300.
Most 1-bedroom apartments in Rotterdam fall within a range of €1,250 to €1,700 per month (about $1,350 to $1,835), with the spread reflecting differences in quality and location.
For the cheapest 1-bedroom rents in Rotterdam, look toward areas like Overschie or Pendrecht, while premium neighborhoods like Kralingen, Cool, and Kop van Zuid command the highest prices.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Rotterdam as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Rotterdam is around €1,800, equivalent to approximately $1,945 or £1,620.
The typical range for 2-bedroom apartments in Rotterdam runs from €1,550 to €2,150 per month (about $1,675 to $2,320), and this is actually where most demand concentrates because options below €1,500 are scarce.
For more affordable 2-bedroom rentals in Rotterdam, neighborhoods like Schiebroek, Prinsenland, or Lombardijen offer lower prices, while Centrum, Kralingen-Oost, and Wilhelminapier sit at the expensive end.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Rotterdam.
What's the average rent per square meter in Rotterdam as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average rent per square meter in Rotterdam's private rental market is approximately €22.50, which equals about $24.30 or £20.25 per square meter monthly.
Across Rotterdam neighborhoods, rent per square meter ranges from roughly €18 to €30 (about $19 to $32), with central and waterfront areas at the high end and outer districts at the lower end.
Compared to other major Dutch cities, Rotterdam remains more affordable than Amsterdam (which exceeds €28 per square meter) but is similar to Utrecht and slightly above The Hague.
In Rotterdam, properties that push above-average rent per square meter typically feature newer construction, high energy labels, balconies or terraces, and locations near metro stations like Blaak or Rotterdam Centraal.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Rotterdam in 2026?
As of early 2026, rents in Rotterdam have increased by approximately 7% compared to January 2025, with the realistic range sitting between 6% and 8% depending on property type.
The main factors driving Rotterdam rent increases in 2026 are persistent housing shortages, strong demand from young professionals and expats, and the ongoing sell-off of rental properties by investors who are exiting the market.
This year's rent growth in Rotterdam is consistent with 2024 and 2025 trends, when rents also rose faster than inflation, meaning Rotterdam tenants continue to feel growing pressure on their housing budgets.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Rotterdam in 2026?
As of early 2026, Rotterdam rents are projected to continue rising at around 5% to 8% over the coming year, with 6% being a reasonable central estimate.
The key factors likely to influence Rotterdam rent growth include ongoing housing supply shortages, continued inflow of students and international workers, and policy changes affecting landlord investment decisions.
Neighborhoods in Rotterdam expected to see the strongest rent growth include Katendrecht, Lloydkwartier, and emerging areas on the south bank where new developments attract young professionals.
The main uncertainties that could push Rotterdam rent growth higher or lower include interest rate changes affecting investor appetite, new housing construction timelines, and potential rent regulation expansions by the Dutch government.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in the Netherlands. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which neighborhoods rent best in Rotterdam as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Rotterdam as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the three Rotterdam neighborhoods with the highest average rents are Kop van Zuid/Wilhelminapier (around €2,200 per month for a 2-bedroom, or $2,375), Centrum including Cool and Stadsdriehoek (around €2,000, or $2,160), and Kralingen-Oost (around €1,950, or $2,105).
These Rotterdam neighborhoods command premium rents because they offer modern or renovated housing stock, excellent public transport connections, waterfront views, and proximity to business districts and cultural amenities.
The typical tenant profile in Rotterdam's high-rent neighborhoods includes expat professionals on corporate assignments, dual-income couples without children, and senior executives who value turnkey apartments with short commutes.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Rotterdam.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Rotterdam right now?
The three Rotterdam neighborhoods most popular with young professionals in 2026 are Centrum (especially Cool and Stadsdriehoek), Katendrecht, and Oude Noorden.
Young professionals in these Rotterdam neighborhoods typically pay between €1,300 and €1,700 per month (about $1,405 to $1,835) for a 1-bedroom or small 2-bedroom apartment.
What attracts young professionals to these Rotterdam areas is the combination of walkable streets with cafes and restaurants, good nightlife, creative community vibes, and quick access to Rotterdam Centraal or Blaak metro stations.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Rotterdam.
Where do families prefer to rent in Rotterdam right now?
The three Rotterdam neighborhoods most popular with families in 2026 are Hillegersberg-Schiebroek, Kralingen, and Nesselande.
Families renting 2 to 3 bedroom apartments in these Rotterdam neighborhoods typically pay between €1,700 and €2,300 per month (about $1,835 to $2,485), with larger family homes going higher.
What makes these Rotterdam neighborhoods attractive to families is the combination of green spaces, lower density, safer streets, and access to quality primary and secondary schools.
Top-rated schools near these family-friendly Rotterdam neighborhoods include Wolfert van Borselen (international), the Montessori schools in Hillegersberg, and several well-regarded public schools in Kralingen with strong academic reputations.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Rotterdam in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three Rotterdam areas near transit hubs or universities that rent fastest are Kralingen-West (near Erasmus University), the neighborhoods around Rotterdam Centraal station, and the Blaak/Oostplein area.
In these high-demand Rotterdam locations, rental properties typically stay listed for only 10 to 14 days before being rented, compared to the citywide average of about 18 days.
Properties within a 10-minute walk of Rotterdam metro stations or Erasmus University command a rent premium of roughly €50 to €150 per month (about $54 to $162) compared to similar units farther from transit.
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Rotterdam right now?
The three Rotterdam neighborhoods most popular with expats in 2026 are Kralingen (especially near Erasmus University), Kop van Zuid/Wilhelminapier, and Centrum including Cool and Scheepvaartkwartier.
Expats renting in these Rotterdam neighborhoods typically pay between €1,500 and €2,200 per month (about $1,620 to $2,375) for furnished 1 to 2 bedroom apartments.
What attracts expats to these Rotterdam areas is the availability of modern, turnkey furnished units, English-speaking services, reliable public transport to business hubs, and proximity to international schools and expat communities.
The expat communities most represented in these Rotterdam neighborhoods include professionals from the UK, Germany, India, the US, and increasingly, workers from Eastern Europe and Asia who have relocated for jobs in Rotterdam's port, tech, and professional services sectors.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our exhaustive guide for expats in Rotterdam.
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Who rents, and what do tenants want in Rotterdam right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Rotterdam?
The three tenant profiles that dominate Rotterdam's rental market in 2026 are young professionals and couples, international students and early-career internationals, and expat families on fixed-term assignments.
In Rotterdam, young professionals and couples represent roughly 45% of rental demand, students and internationals account for about 30%, and expat families make up around 15%, with the remaining 10% being other profiles like retirees or temporary workers.
Young professionals in Rotterdam typically seek 1 to 2 bedroom apartments near the city center, students look for studios or shared housing near Erasmus University, and expat families prioritize 3-bedroom homes in green neighborhoods like Hillegersberg or Kralingen.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Rotterdam.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Rotterdam?
In Rotterdam's private rental market, approximately 40% of tenants rent unfurnished properties, about 27% choose semi-furnished, and around 33% opt for fully furnished apartments.
Furnished apartments in Rotterdam command a significant rent premium of roughly €3 to €6 per square meter per month (about $3.25 to $6.50), which translates to €150 to €300 extra monthly for a typical 1-bedroom.
The tenants who prefer furnished rentals in Rotterdam are typically expats on short to medium-term assignments, international students, and professionals relocating for new jobs who want to move in quickly without buying furniture.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Rotterdam?
The five amenities that increase rent the most in Rotterdam are high energy efficiency (label A or B), private outdoor space like a balcony or terrace, in-building elevator access, secure bike storage, and proximity to metro or train stations.
In Rotterdam, a high energy label can add €50 to €100 per month ($54 to $108), a balcony adds €75 to €125 ($81 to $135), elevator access adds €50 to €75 ($54 to $81), secure bike storage adds €25 to €50 ($27 to $54), and being within 5 minutes of a metro stop adds €75 to €150 ($81 to $162).
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Rotterdam, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Rotterdam?
The five renovations that deliver the best ROI for Rotterdam rental properties are insulation upgrades (windows, walls, roof), heating system improvements, kitchen and bathroom modernization, quality flooring and fresh paint, and built-in storage solutions.
In Rotterdam, a full insulation package costs €5,000 to €15,000 ($5,400 to $16,200) and can add €75 to €125 monthly rent; a kitchen refresh costs €3,000 to €8,000 ($3,240 to $8,640) and adds €50 to €100; new flooring and paint costs €1,500 to €4,000 ($1,620 to $4,320) and adds €25 to €75 monthly.
Renovations that tend to have poor ROI for Rotterdam landlords include luxury finishes that exceed neighborhood standards, swimming pool installations, and highly personalized design choices that limit tenant appeal.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in the Netherlands versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How strong is rental demand in Rotterdam as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Rotterdam as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the effective market vacancy rate for private rental properties in Rotterdam is estimated at around 2%, with a realistic range of 1% to 3%.
Across Rotterdam neighborhoods, vacancy rates vary from under 1% in high-demand areas like Kralingen and Centrum to around 3% to 4% in outer districts like Hoogvliet or Pernis.
The current vacancy rate in Rotterdam is historically low, sitting well below the 4% to 5% levels seen a decade ago, reflecting the persistent housing shortage that has characterized the Dutch market in recent years.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Rotterdam.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Rotterdam as of 2026?
As of early 2026, rental properties in Rotterdam stay listed for an average of about 18 days before being rented.
Across Rotterdam, days on market ranges from as few as 7 to 10 days for well-priced apartments in Kralingen or Centrum, to 25 to 30 days for properties in less central neighborhoods or those priced above market.
Compared to one year ago, Rotterdam's average days-on-market has remained stable or slightly decreased, indicating that the rental market has stayed tight and competitive throughout 2025 and into 2026.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Rotterdam?
Peak tenant demand in Rotterdam occurs during the late spring through early autumn months, specifically from May through September, with an extra spike in August and September.
The factors driving Rotterdam's seasonal demand pattern include the start of the academic year at Erasmus University, summer job relocations, and the typical lease renewal cycle in the Netherlands.
The months with lowest tenant demand in Rotterdam are typically November through February, when fewer people move and landlords may need to be more flexible on pricing to avoid extended vacancies.
Buying real estate in Rotterdam can be risky
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What will my monthly costs be in Rotterdam as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Rotterdam as of 2026?
As of early 2026, Rotterdam landlords should expect to pay approximately €200 to €250 per year ($216 to $270) in OZB property tax for a typical apartment with a WOZ value of €300,000 to €400,000.
The realistic range of annual property taxes in Rotterdam runs from about €130 for lower-value properties in outer neighborhoods to €400 or more ($140 to $430) for premium properties in central or waterfront areas.
Rotterdam property taxes are calculated by applying the OZB rate of 0.0643% for 2026 to the property's official WOZ value, which the municipality assesses annually based on comparable sales.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Rotterdam, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Rotterdam right now?
In Rotterdam's standard long-term rental market, landlords typically do not pay utilities on behalf of tenants, as electricity, gas, water, and internet are usually the tenant's responsibility.
When Rotterdam landlords do include utilities (mainly in furnished or short-stay rentals), the additional monthly cost runs approximately €150 to €250 ($162 to $270) for a 1-bedroom, covering energy, water, and sometimes internet.
The common practice in Rotterdam is for tenants to sign their own utility contracts directly with providers, while landlords handle fixed costs like VvE fees (averaging around €160 per month for apartments) and property taxes.
How is rental income taxed in Rotterdam as of 2026?
As of early 2026, most individual landlords in Rotterdam pay Box 3 wealth tax on their rental property, which means they are taxed on a deemed return rather than actual rental income, resulting in an effective rate of roughly 1.5% to 2.5% of the property's taxable value annually.
The main deductions Rotterdam landlords can claim include mortgage interest (if applicable within Box 3 debt rules), and the property may be valued below full market price using official tables if it is rented out under certain conditions.
A common tax mistake Rotterdam landlords make is failing to use the official "value of a rented home" tables from the Belastingdienst, which can significantly reduce the taxable value of a let property.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Rotterdam.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in the Netherlands compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Rotterdam, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Pararius Q3 2025 Report | Pararius is one of the Netherlands' largest rental platforms and publishes consistent quarterly market metrics based on professional listings. | We used the Rotterdam rent-per-square-meter level and year-over-year change, plus days listed and responses per listing as core demand indicators. We then translated these into studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom monthly rent estimates using typical unit sizes. |
| Pararius Q1 2025 Rental Report | It's another Pararius quarterly publication that cross-checks the same market using a consistent methodology over time. | We used it to sanity-check Rotterdam's rent trajectory and compare Rotterdam with other major Dutch cities. We also used it to support the market tightening narrative. |
| Rotterdam Municipality OBI Portal | This is the City of Rotterdam's own research and statistics gateway, where official local studies and dashboards are published. | We used it as the authoritative home base for Rotterdam-specific housing market context. We cross-referenced its local framing with CBS and Pararius to keep the story Rotterdam-specific. |
| CBS Landelijke Monitor Leegstand 2025 | CBS is the Dutch national statistics agency, and this monitor is an official dataset on administrative housing vacancy for every municipality. | We used it to anchor vacancy in a verifiable public dataset. We then contrasted that with Pararius listing times to explain why the lived experience feels tighter than administrative rates suggest. |
| CBS Municipality Vacancy Table 2025 | It's a CBS municipality breakdown using linked administrative registers, designed for policy use and comparability. | We used it as a second CBS cross-check that vacancy is measured consistently at the municipality level. We used it to support the methodology section on what vacancy means in Dutch official stats. |
| Rotterdam OZB Tax Ordinance 2026 | Overheid.nl is the official publishing channel for local regulations, so the tax rate here is the legally relevant one. | We used the 2026 owner-occupied residential OZB rate to estimate the landlord's annual property tax. We then showed a simple example using a hypothetical WOZ value so readers can do the same calculation. |
| Belastingdienst Box 3 Rates | Belastingdienst is the Dutch tax authority, and this page defines the official Box 3 deemed-return percentages. | We used the other assets deemed-return assumption as the backbone for explaining how most private landlords are taxed on rental property. We translated that into an approximate effective tax calculation for 2026. |
| Belastingdienst Rented Home Valuation Tables | It's an official valuation rule used in real tax filings, not a blog rule of thumb. | We used it to explain that Box 3 doesn't always use full market value for a rented property and that valuation can depend on the rent-to-WOZ relationship. We kept the explanation high-level but actionable. |
| Huurcommissie Rent Increase Rules | The Huurcommissie is the official body for rent disputes and rent-rule guidance, so it's a trusted source for what is allowed. | We used it to ground the difference between regulated and unregulated rent dynamics in the Netherlands. We explained how regulation can cap increases for some contracts, which matters for 2026 rent growth expectations. |
| De Nederlandsche Bank Housing Market | DNB is the Dutch central bank and a top-tier source for macro housing affordability and supply constraints. | We used it to frame the 2026 outlook, where supply shortage plus affordability constraints create high-but-slowing rent pressure. We used it as a cross-check so our Rotterdam story aligns with macro reality. |
| OECD Netherlands 2025 Housing Chapter | The OECD is a major international organization with transparent, comparative policy analysis. | We used it to support the idea that structural supply constraints and policy choices affect rental investment and supply over multiple years. We used it to keep the 2026 outlook grounded beyond platform data. |
| Vereniging Eigen Huis Maintenance Costs | It's the Netherlands' best-known homeowner association and publishes guidance based on large volumes of building inspections. | We used it to set a realistic maintenance reserve for Rotterdam landlords, especially for older apartments common in the city. We translated it into a per-month budget line people can actually plan with. |
| Nibud Buffer Calculator | Nibud is the Dutch national institute for household budgeting and is widely used for determining sensible buffers. | We used it as a second cross-check that budgeting for maintenance and repairs is not optional in the Netherlands. We used it to justify our suggested maintenance reserve range in plain language. |
| Independer VvE Contribution Research | Independer is a major Dutch comparison platform that publishes data-driven consumer research and cites its research approach. | We used it to estimate likely VvE fees for Rotterdam apartments, where VvE costs are often a meaningful part of ownership costs. We gave a simple per-month range that fits typical Rotterdam apartment sizes. |
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