What does moving cost in the Netherlands? (2026)

A moving company roughly charges by the size of your household. Price per home type:

• Student room or studio: €350 to €800
• Two-room apartment: €600 to €1,300
• Three- to four-room home: €900 to €1,800
• Large or detached house: €1,500 to €3,000+

Tip: that rate usually includes 2-4 movers (€35-€60 per person per hour), a right-sized van and materials like blankets and straps. Always ask explicitly what's included.

Doing it yourself is almost always cheaper, but don't count only the van. What you'll spend:

• Moving van: €70 to €250 per day
• Boxes: €50 to €150
• Small gear (hand truck, blankets, straps, tape): €50 to €100
• Fuel: €50 to €100
• Hired help: €15 to €25 per hour per person

Tip: don't forget the hidden costs — a day off, food and drink for helpers, and the risk of damage to belongings, home or back.

Five things set your bill:

• Household size (more stuff = bigger van and more hours)
• Distance (a long trip within NL adds up)
• Extra services: packing, disassembly, furniture lift (~€150/day)
• Accessibility (narrow street, floor without a lift)
• Date (weekend, month-end, summer = more expensive)

Tip: moving midweek and mid-month easily saves hundreds of euros — the biggest single saving.

Moving far within the Netherlands — for example Amsterdam to Maastricht (250km) — expect €500 to €1,000 extra for travel time and fuel. Individual extras add up too:

• Furniture lift: charged separately (~€150 per day)
• Packing service: extra cost
• Furniture (dis)assembly: charged separately

Tip: always ask for an itemised quote with each component separately, so you're not surprised later. Most companies give an all-in price, but the individual line items should be available.

DIY is the cheapest and you set the pace. Downsides to consider:

• You'll lose a (long) weekend
• You need strong friends or family
• You carry the risk of damage to belongings, home or back
• Smart for small households, short distances and flexible dates

Tip: combine it with temporary storage between two homes if you can't fit everything in one trip. Saves you a second day of van rental.

Moving company costs more, but you're hiring experience, materials and manpower. When this fits:

• Standard 2-4 movers, right van and protective materials
• Handy for large or heavy households
• Handy for stairs without a lift or complex properties
• Handy if you have no time, help or energy

Tip: request at least 3 quotes and check what is and isn't included. More on the DIY vs moving company decision in our dedicated guide.

The biggest savings: midweek + mid-month + less volume. What actually works:

• Move midweek and mid-month (easily hundreds of euros)
• [Declutter first] so you have less volume — fewer hours and smaller van
• Get boxes and materials second-hand or borrow them from friends
• Book 4-6 weeks ahead for best price and availability

Tip: research by the Dutch Consumentenbond found differences up to 56% (around €400) between the highest and lowest quote for the same job. Always compare at least 3 quotes — the cheapest saving tip out there.

Expect €300-€800 for a DIY move and on average €900-€1,600 for a moving company, rising to €3,000 or more for a large home. A studio is cheapest, a detached house most expensive.

Usually, but not always. With a large household, stairs without a lift, or when you hire help and take a day off, the costs and risk add up. Factor in the hidden costs before you decide.

Tipping isn't required, but €10 to €20 per mover, or about 5% of the total bill, is common. Good service, heavy stairs or extra effort can factor in.

Sometimes. If you move for work and your employer covers nothing, or the move is forced (for example by divorce or eviction), costs may be deductible. For an ordinary, voluntary move, unfortunately not. Always check your own situation with the Dutch Belastingdienst (tax office).

Book a moving company at least four to six weeks ahead, and earlier if you're moving in a busy period (summer, month-end, weekend). Booking early gives more choice and often a better price.