Moving to Rotterdam Guide For Expat Families

MOVING TO ROTTERDAM

Welcome to our moving to Rotterdam guide, an essential resource for families looking to relocate our exciting, modern, and culturally diverse city. On this page, you’ll find useful information about what it’s like to live in Rotterdam as an expat, covering everything from housing and healthcare to family activities.

YOUR GUIDE TO EXPAT LIVING IN ROTTERDAM

Rotterdam is a booming city with a large expat population and a warm, welcoming, truly multicultural vibe.

Known as the gateway to Europe, Rotterdam is located in the south of the Netherlands. It’s the country’s most dynamic city – a place where history, culture, and modernism combine to create an atmosphere that’s both vibrant and laidback.

Moving to Rotterdam, you’ll discover bustling streets filled with art, peaceful green spaces, and striking architecture. You’ll also join a city that’s committed to innovation and global business, where almost everyone speaks great English!

BEFORE YOU MOVE TO ROTTERDAM

Making a move to Rotterdam is exciting but does require some planning. We’ve highlighted a few things to consider before you relocate.

Organise work permits and visas

If you’re an EU citizen moving to Rotterdam, you won’t need a visa to enter the country. However, if you’re planning to stay for more than three months, then you’ll need to apply for a residence permit through your local town hall. Relocating to Rotterdam from outside the EU? You’ll need to apply for a visa before you arrive and then obtain a residency permit within three working days. If you have a job in place, your employer will usually arrange this for you.

Arrange health insurance

Health insurance is compulsory in the Netherlands. To buy insurance, you’ll need a BSN (the Dutch equivalent of a social security number), which you can get from your local ‘gemeente’ (municipal town hall) or via the Rotterdam International Centre (a one-stop-shop for overseas residents and businesses). The Dutch government regulates how much insurance companies can charge and what must be covered, but it’s important to do your research before buying.

Moving to Rotterdam Guide For Expat Families | NAIS Rotterdam - Feature Cards Pattern

Find a place to live in Rotterdam

Do you see yourself renting an apartment in Rotterdam Centrum, close to everything the city has to offer? Or maybe you’d prefer to settle your family into a house in Hillegersberg, a peaceful residential community where our school is located? Whatever your accommodation needs, Rotterdam offers a variety of living options for families.

LIVING IN ROTTERDAM

Our guide to living in Rotterdam as an expat covers accommodation, transport, and more, ensuring you have all the information you need to settle into life in the city.

Where to live in Rotterdam

Choosing the right area and type of accommodation is crucial when moving to Rotterdam. There are around 70 neighbourhoods to pick from, as well as surrounding villages and easy-to-commute-from towns.

Where to live in Rotterdam

Most of NAISR’s families live in Rotterdam, either in the city centre or in one of the northern suburbs.

Hillegersberg is a picturesque residential neighbourhood positioned between a cluster of small lakes and the river Rotte. One of the best places to live in Rotterdam, Hillegersberg has great transport links, with two metro stations that provide quick access to the city centre and The Hague, as well as proximity to the highway. The area is also home to our school!

Kralingen is one of the most popular neighbourhoods for expats. Known for its green spaces, stylish homes, and lively social scene, the area offers a fantastic balance between urban living and access to nature.

Schiebroeck is a charming, leafy suburb surrounded by parks and recreational areas. The northern part of Schiebroeck is particularly attractive, with plenty of family homes and a laidback feel.

Prinsenland is a more modern neighbourhood, which features a mix of family homes and apartment buildings. Easily accessible from the city centre via the metro, Prinsenland is home to a vast park with great amenities for younger children, teenagers, and families.

Some of our families choose to live slightly out of the city, in villages such as Bergschenhoek and Berkel en Rodenrijs. Others commute in from further afield, including towns and cities like Schiedam, Vlaardingen, Maassluis, Dordrecht, Delft, Voorburg, The Hague, Breda, Wassenaar, and Zoetermeer.

Renting or buying a home

Your first port of call when looking to rent (‘te huur’) or buy (‘te koop’) a house is NAISR! We work closely with three excellent external real estate agents, and you can enlist their support by contacting our Admissions Team. Popular property websites, such as Funda, also provide a good overview of available properties. You can find helpful information on the Rotterdam International Centre website, too.

Moving to Rotterdam Guide For Expat Families | NAIS Rotterdam - Feature Cards Pattern 1

Getting around

Rotterdam’s compact size and efficient public transport system make getting around quick and easy. The city’s many bike lanes offer a healthy, fun, and eco-friendly way of navigating the Centrum and surrounding districts, too.

Getting around

Relocating to Rotterdam, you’ll discover a city that’s incredibly pedestrian and cycle friendly, with excellent public transport links.

Public transport

Rotterdam has a well-integrated public transport system that consists of buses, trams, and a metro. Tickets purchased on one form of transit can often be used across multiple modes on the same journey.

The Rotterdam metro consists of five lines serving 70 stations.
Nine tram lines operate permanently in the city, with three special or seasonal lines.
Buses in Rotterdam are useful for reaching areas not served by the metro or tram.

Cycling

The Dutch are renowned for their love of cycling. Living in Rotterdam, you’ll find that buying a bike – or using an e-bike hire scheme – is an easy and convenient way to get around. It’s also a great way to get some exercise and fresh air.

Walking

Rotterdam is a pedestrian-friendly city, with lots of delightful neighbourhoods to walk around. The ‘Rotterdam Walks 2025’ initiative has further improved walkability through safer crossings, better sidewalks, and expanded pedestrian zones.

Taxis

There are two options for taking a taxi in Rotterdam: by road or by water.

You can hail regular taxi cabs on the street throughout the city or use a ride-sharing app like Uber or Bolt. Rotterdam also has water taxis, which traverse the Maas River. These are a fun and speedy way to get around, stopping at around 50 points across the city.

Trains

Rotterdam Centraal is a major rail hub, offering excellent connectivity for both regional and international travel. Domestic routes connect you to cities like Amsterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht, while international services such as Thalys and Eurostar link Rotterdam to Antwerp, Brussels, and Paris.

Driving

Rotterdam’s public transport system and well-developed cycling infrastructure make it easy to get around the city without a car. In fact, the government actively discourages driving, with measures such as expensive parking and zero-emission zones in place to deter the use of private vehicles.

If you do decide to drive, you’ll need to check your current driver’s licence is valid in the Netherlands. When purchasing a vehicle, be sure to take the tax, fuel, and parking costs into account.

Things to do

Life for expat families in Rotterdam is varied and exciting, and there’s always something new to do or explore. From fine dining and shopping to open-air festivals, museums, and parks, the city offers something for everyone.

Things to do

Rotterdam’s charm lies in its ability to cater to so many people and preferences, providing a rich tapestry of experiences that makes living here so fulfilling.

Living in Rotterdam, you’ll explore the city’s docks, marvel at the Cube Houses, and spend time both by and on the river. You’ll discover hidden treasures in Museumpark and cultural areas between Central Station and Kop van Zuid. And you’ll eat and shop in Chinatown and the commercial areas of Witte de Withstraat, New Binnenweg, and Delfshaven.

Below, we’ve listed some of our favourite things to do in Rotterdam:

Visit the Maritime Museum: Fascinating for both children and adults, the museum features historic ships, interactive exhibits, and child-focused zones like Professor Plons’ play area.
Climb the Euromast: Enjoy panoramic views of Rotterdam and have a go on a zip line.
Bike Around Kralingse Bos and Plas: This large, forested park has a lake, petting zoo, playgrounds, and plenty of picnic spots.
Check out Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp): This zoo is spacious, well-designed, and includes a large Oceanium. Perfect for a day trip.
Play at Plaswijckpark: This family amusement park features a mix of playgrounds, water fun, a mini zoo, and indoor play areas. Especially great for younger kids.
Visit the Kinderdijk Windmills: Head 20km east to the charming village of Kinderdijk, where you’ll discover 19 canal-side windmills that form a UNESCO World Heritage site.

NURTURING YOUR CHILD’S POTENTIAL

Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam (NAISR) is renowned for its warm, inclusive, and closeknit global learning community, where every student gets the care and attention they need to thrive.

Every day, we support and challenge our learners to be the best they can be. As well as helping your child to flourish academically, our world-class international teachers will nurture their personal and social development. This will empower them to achieve outstanding academic success and grow into a principled, independent global citizen, ready to change the world for the better.

MORE ABOUT NAIS ROTTERDAM

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the weather like in Rotterdam?

Like most of the Netherlands, Rotterdam has a temperate oceanic climate, although its position on the coast means it has slightly milder weather than cities further inland. Summers (June to August) are warm to mild, and you can use the long, sunny days to head to the beach or explore the city’s waterfront areas.

The temperature cools off a bit as autumn gives way to winter, although it stays mild. Late autumn and early winter (October to December) tend to be the wettest months, while April and May are the driest.

Is the cost of living in Rotterdam high?

While some parts of the Netherlands are expensive, Rotterdam’s cost of living is comparatively low. Living in Rotterdam, you’ll enjoy a very good quality of life without the high price tag attached to cities like Amsterdam.

Is it easy to connect with other expats living in Rotterdam?

Yes, it really is! Rotterdam is home to more than 170 nationalities, as well as extremely friendly locals. The city’s diversity is one of its big draws, bringing people together from across the world.

You’ll find expat groups for all ages and interests, from sports to photography. The Dutch love clubs and associations, too, and joining one is a great way to integrate into the community.

Do I need to speak Dutch to live in Rotterdam?

English is commonly spoken across the city, particularly in business, tourist, and international education settings. Learning Dutch, however, will not only help you navigate daily life more easily, but it will also open doors to meeting locals. Language classes often have a mix of expats, giving you a chance to bond with others in similar situations.