Netherlands
Dating in the Netherlands for internationals
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and four more cities: meet people who moved here too, and Dutch singles open to meeting them. Joining is free.
- Eight city guides
- Free account
- Euro prices
- Lots of manually verified members
In short
Dating in the Netherlands is direct, practical and often on two wheels. ExpatSingles helps internationals meet people who know what the move was like: join free, set your city and get daily suggestions of members near you.
- Guides: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Haarlem, Leiden and Maastricht.
- Without a subscription: profile, suggestions each day, the ID check and a limited number of messages.
- Who: internationals working or studying in the Netherlands, and Dutch singles open to them.
- VIP: unlimited messages from €16.99 for a week.
The Netherlands is home to a large international crowd, from tech and research to the international organisations in The Hague. English is widely spoken, so day to day life is easy, but many internationals find Dutch friendship circles close knit and slow to open. Dating in the Netherlands online helps you meet people beyond work and the expat bubble.
Why internationals date online in the Netherlands
A dating site is the quickest way past the agenda culture to a real introduction.
ExpatSingles in the Netherlands
An international in the Netherlands looking for a date? That is what ExpatSingles is for
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Shared experience
Members live abroad or want a partner who does, so residence permits, house hunting and learning Dutch need no explaining.
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Short distances
Suggestions follow the distance you set, and in a country this compact the next city is often only a train ride away.
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Interests to start with
Tick Language Exchange, Expat Meetups or Live Music & Concerts and let matches see what you enjoy.
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Privacy first
Other people see your chosen username and the closest town, and nothing more personal than that.
Meet internationals in the Netherlands See features and prices
Open a guide below to see the areas internationals call home, the usual first date spots and the local dating habits.
Expat dating guides for eight Dutch cities
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Amsterdam
De Pijp, Oud-West and Jordaan
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Rotterdam
Noord, Katendrecht and Witte de With
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The Hague
Zeeheldenkwartier, Statenkwartier and Centrum
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Utrecht
Museumkwartier, Lombok and Wittevrouwen
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Eindhoven
Strijp-S, De Bergen and City Centre
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Haarlem
The Vijfhoek, Kleverpark and Leidsebuurt
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Leiden
Binnenstad, Pieterskwartier and Professorenwijk
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Maastricht
Wyck, Jekerkwartier and Céramique
Dutch dating culture: directness and the diary
The Dutch are known for saying what they mean, and on a date that is usually a good thing: interest is clear, and so is a polite no. Plans are often made in advance and written in the diary, so a spontaneous evening can be harder to arrange than a coffee next Thursday.
Splitting the bill is common, especially early on. First dates are often simple: a coffee, a walk along the canals, a bike ride to the beach or a borrel, an after-work drink with snacks.
Getting around is easy by bike and by train, so dating someone in a neighbouring city is very realistic. Your daily suggestions follow the distance you set.
Free to join
Short distances, direct people, and a date in the diary
Pick your city and read today's suggestions. The ID check costs nothing, and neither do a few daily messages.
Join freeHow to start dating in the Netherlands on ExpatSingles
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Create a free profile
Username, photo and the city you moved to.
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Set your distance
Your own city, or the towns a short train ride away.
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Verify
The ID check is free; a video check with a moderator works without documents.
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Plan a date
A few free messages a day, or VIP to write as often as you like. Then put it in the diary.
Dating safely in the Netherlands
- Coffee or a park walk. A coffee in a busy cafe or a walk in the park is a safe first date. Until you have met, keep talking on ExpatSingles: the site notices when someone presses to continue on WhatsApp or another app, and tells you.
- Never pay a match. The Dutch police advise never to transfer money to someone abroad whom you have never met in person, and never to pay an online match through a money transfer office. To report dating fraud, call the police on 0900 8844 to book an appointment; internet fraud can also be reported online if you have a DigiD. The Fraudehelpdesk, the national fraud helpline, gives free advice on 088 786 7372.
- Lost money? If you have lost money, call your bank immediately and report it to the police. In an emergency, call 112.
What ExpatSingles costs in the Netherlands
Registering, filling in your profile and receiving suggestions are free. VIP and VIP Plus are charged in euros; longer plans also show the price per month.
| Plan length | VIP | VIP Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | €16.99 | €17.99 |
| 1 month | €44.95 | €38.53 |
| 3 months | €84.95€28.32 a month | €89.87€29.96 a month |
| 6 months | €111.95€18.66 a month | €128.31€21.39 a month |
| 12 months | €169.95€14.16 a monthpaid once | €208.05€17.34 a monthpaid once |
Short plans, up to six months, renew automatically until you cancel; the 12-month plan is one payment and stops after a year. What each membership includes.
Dating in the Netherlands: questions from internationals
What is dating in the Netherlands like?
Dating in the Netherlands is direct and well planned: people say what they think, dates are often arranged in advance and splitting the bill is common. Internationals often find it easier to start with others who moved there too.
Do I need to speak Dutch to date in the Netherlands?
You do not need to speak Dutch to date in the Netherlands, since English is widely spoken and many ExpatSingles members are internationals. Ticking Language Exchange shows you are happy to practise.
How much does ExpatSingles cost in the Netherlands?
ExpatSingles is free to join in the Netherlands. The price of VIP is €44.95 for one month; for a whole year you pay €169.95 once, the same as €14.16 a month.
Can I message without paying?
You can message without paying, up to a few messages a day, and answer VIP members at any time. A verified profile also gets you into the group chat rooms; VIP removes the daily limit.
How do I report dating fraud in the Netherlands?
Dating fraud in the Netherlands is reported to the police: call 0900 8844 to make an appointment, or report internet fraud online with your DigiD. Call your bank immediately if you have paid.
Find someone in the Netherlands worth cycling across town for
Join free, set your city and plan that first coffee. Your real name and address stay hidden.
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