Social housing in the Netherlands: how to register and apply
Social rental homes are let by housing corporations at a regulated rent, mainly to households with a lower income. You apply through a regional website, and in most regions you need patience. Here is how it works.
Team HubSnap · Updated 8 October 2026 · 3 min read
Who can apply? Income limits for 2026
In 2026 housing corporations allocate social homes to households with an income up to (source):
- €51,537 for a single-person household
- €56,910 for a household of more than one person
Corporations must also allocate most homes "passend", meaning lower-income households get homes with a rent that suits their income. For that rule the 2026 limits are €29,400 (one person) and €39,925 (more than one person), or €28,775 and €38,650 for households of pension age. You usually also need to be 18 or older and have legal residence in the Netherlands; check the conditions on your regional website.
Where to register in your region
Every region has its own website. Since 6 October 2026 the national site socialehuurwoning.nl links you to the right regional website for any municipality. Examples of regional websites:
- WoningNet (on the mijndak.nl platform), with regional sites for Amsterdam, Utrecht, Almere, Eemvallei, Gooi en Vecht and Groningen (Groningen Huurt)
- Woonnet Haaglanden for The Hague and the surrounding region
- Woonnet Rijnmond for Rotterdam and the surrounding region
- Huren in Holland Rijnland for Leiden and the surrounding region
- Wooniezie for Eindhoven, Helmond and the surrounding region
- Entree for Arnhem, Nijmegen and the surrounding region
- Klik voor Wonen for West-Brabant
- Thuis in Limburg for Limburg
Student housing is usually separate: student housing providers have their own registration.
Waiting lists, lotteries and urgency
- Registration time: in most regions the person registered the longest gets the home. Register as early as you can, even if you are not looking yet, and keep your registration active (usually with a yearly fee).
- Lottery: some homes are allocated by lottery, which gives newer registrants a chance.
- Urgency: in an emergency, such as homelessness or medical reasons, you can ask your municipality about an urgency declaration (urgentieverklaring). The rules differ per municipality.
- Local priority and age labels: some homes go first to people with ties to the area, or are reserved for seniors or young people.
Waiting times differ a lot per region and type of home, and in big cities can run to many years. Each regional website publishes its own figures, so check those rather than relying on averages.
What to do while you wait
- Respond regularly: in some regions active searchers get extra points.
- Look at mid-rent homes (144 to 186 points), where a maximum rent applies to new contracts since 1 July 2024.
- Keep searching in the free sector and nearby towns. See how to find a house in the Netherlands.
- If you are 55 or older, read about senior homes.
Frequently asked questions
Register on the regional website for social housing in the area where you want to live, check that your income is below the limit, and respond to homes. The national site socialehuurwoning.nl links to the right regional website.
Housing corporations allocate social homes to households with an income up to €51,537 (one person) or €56,910 (more than one person).
It differs per region and can be many years in big cities. Each regional website publishes its own waiting-time figures.
If you live legally in the Netherlands and meet the income limit, you can usually register. Waiting times mean it is rarely a quick solution after moving.
Yes. HubSnap's social housing filter recognises homes on housing-corporation websites. You respond on the regional website with your own registration.
Rules, fees and waiting times are set per region and municipality. Check your regional website for the current conditions.