Explore The Hague
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The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government, the home of the International Court of Justice and the most international city in the Netherlands. More than 200 international organisations and embassies are based here. It is also, less obviously, a coastal city with 11 kilometres of North Sea beach.
Population
560,000
Expat residents
100,000+
1-bed rent (central)
1,300-1,900/mo
Train to Amsterdam
50 minutes
Train to Rotterdam
25 minutes
Train to Schiphol
45 minutes
The city
Why The Hague
The Hague occupies a unique position in the Netherlands. It is the political capital, the legal capital of the world and the most diplomatically significant city in the country. The Binnenhof parliament complex, the Peace Palace and the Mauritshuis – one of the finest small art museums in the world – are all within walking distance of each other.
The international community here is mature and well-established. The American School, the British School and the International School of The Hague serve thousands of expat families. English is spoken everywhere and the city has deep experience of welcoming international arrivals.
The Hague offers meaningfully better value than Amsterdam for housing. A budget that gets you a studio in Amsterdam West will get you a comfortable one or two-bedroom in Statenkwartier or Bezuidenhout. Add the Scheveningen and Kijkduin beaches 20 minutes away and the quality of life case becomes compelling.
Practical info
Getting around and settling in
Getting around: The Hague has one of the best tram networks in the Netherlands. HTM trams connect all neighbourhoods to the centre efficiently. Cycling is good but less dominant than Amsterdam.
Language: English is widely spoken, particularly in the diplomatic and international community. Dutch is the official language.
Cost of living: More affordable than Amsterdam, particularly for housing. See our cost of living guide.
Healthcare: Dutch health insurance is mandatory. The Hague has several English-speaking GP practices. See our health insurance guide.
Just arrived
Your first two weeks in The Hague
1
Register at the Den Haag gemeente and get your BSN
Essential first step. Gemeente guide and BSN guide.
2
Open a Dutch bank account
ABN AMRO, ING and bunq are the most expat-friendly. Full guide.
3
Arrange health insurance within four months
Mandatory and backdates to arrival. Full guide.
4
Set up your DigiD
Required for all Dutch government services online. Full guide.
5
Register your children at an international school
The most popular schools have waiting lists. Apply as early as possible.