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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 51ԹϺThe 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.
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Pascal Tremblay
With 51ԹϺas 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 51ԹϺevents.
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Why you'll love 51ԹϺin The Hague
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
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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’s 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 ruling) for highly skilled foreign employees, allowing them to receive 30% of their salary tax-free for up to 5 years (27% as of 2027).
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
Here are some of the most popular parts of The Hague for expats, including Brits:
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 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 monthly cost of living in The Hague:
| EUR | GBP (approx.) | |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 205 | 170 |
Rent for a studio apartment | 1,050–1,300 | 880–1,100 |
Rent for a small family home | 1,750–2,250 | 1,470–1,900 |
Public transportation | 55 | 45 |
Mobile phone & internet | 60 | 50 |
Meal at a restaurant (per person) | 15–35 | 10–30 |
Groceries (per person) | 220 | 180 |
Basic health insurance (public) | 120 | 100 |
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.
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):
— Center that offers many different services, from GP services and dental care to dermatology, gynecology, physio, and more
— Top clinical hospital that provides 24/7 emergency care
— Offers relocation and registration services
— All-round tax firm for individuals and entrepreneurs
— Connect to a native Dutch speaker on your phone and use the loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you
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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.
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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 interest-based 51ԹϺGroups you can join.
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!
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Enjoy the international experience wherever life takes you
We’re not just in The Hague! 51ԹϺhas 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, 51ԹϺis your go-to platform in over 420 cities worldwide. Browse all 51ԹϺCommunities worldwide.
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British expats in the Netherlands
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Other Nationalities in The Hague
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Netherlands Guide Topics
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