What The Hague actually looks, feels, and costs like for someone considering moving. Neighbourhoods, climate, transport, healthcare, safety, and the practical scaffolding — every figure sourced.
Country
Netherlands
Europe
Population
566,221
municipal · 2024
Area
98 km²
Elevation
1 m
city centre
Time zone
Europe/Amsterdam
Currency
EUR
Airport
RTM · Rotterdam The Hague Airport
Metro
no metro · tram network
Walkability
●●●●●
editorial score · 1–5
Bike friendliness
●●●●●
editorial score · 1–5
Primary language
Dutch official; English is the working language in IGOs (ICJ, ICC, OPCW) and international firms. Highly English-friendly.
The Hague is a city of 566,221 people in Netherlands (Europe). The main international airport is RTM (Rotterdam The Hague Airport). There is no metro — intra-city transport is bus-based. As part of the EU and the Schengen area, Netherlands permits internal-EU freedom of movement for qualifying citizens.
A one-bedroom city-centre apartment runs approximately €1,650 per month. Monthly groceries for one person run approximately €320. A monthly public-transport pass costs €95. Across the 100 cities Meridian tracks, The Hague ranks 83rd overall on combined monthly essentials — among the more expensive.
The Hague's climate is mediterranean — July is typically the warmest month with average highs around 22°C, while January is the coldest with average lows near 2°C. Annual rainfall totals approximately 813mm, wettest in August.
Cost of living
Cost of living
Total monthly essentials: approximately €2,265/month EUR-equivalent for a single person in a 1-bedroom flat (rent + utilities + groceries + transit). District and lifestyle swing this 30–50% either way.
Hottest month typically Jul, coldest Jan. Values are station normals — actual weather varies year-to-year. Source: KNMI — 1991–2020 normals ↗
Country context
Country context
Visa policy, taxation, healthcare, and broadband infrastructure are national rather than city-level — the numbers below are Netherlands-wide context for someone weighing The Hague specifically. Each links through to the full country brief.
Following successive Supreme Court rulings against the deemed-return Box 3 system, the Dutch government confirmed in September 2024 that the replacement actual-returns system will apply from 2027. Taxpayers with paper gains on investments will from 2027 pay Box 3 tax on actual realised and unrealised returns. Interim relief mechanisms continued through 2024-2026.
Who it affects: All Dutch tax residents with Box 3 savings and investments.
The 2025 Belastingplan, published on Prinsjesdag 17 September 2024, reversed most of the 2024 phase-down. From 1 January 2027 the ruling returns to a flat percentage (27%) for the full 60 months. The stepped 30/20/10 regime applies only to rulings commenced between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2026; a new salary threshold of €50,436 (2025 figure) also applied.
Who it affects: Newly arriving skilled migrants from 2027; existing ruling holders from 2024-2026 remain on the stepped regime.
Following successive Supreme Court rulings finding the current Box 3 deemed-return regime unlawful, the government committed to a new Box 3 system from 2027. The new regime taxes actual capital growth on savings and actual capital gains on investments annually, replacing the fictitious-return basis used since 2001. Interim measures under the Restoration of Rights Act continue to apply until 2027.
Who it affects: All Dutch tax residents with savings or investments above the tax-free allowance.
A one-bedroom apartment in central The Hague rents for around €1,650 per month. Combined monthly essentials (rent + utilities + groceries + transit) total approximately €2,265 EUR-equivalent. Individual spend varies 30–50% by district and lifestyle.
Is The Hague expensive compared to other global cities?
The Hague ranks 83rd out of 100 cities Meridian tracks for combined monthly living costs — among the most expensive quartile, and 3rd of 5 within Netherlands. Rankings use EUR-normalised rent + utilities + groceries + transit.
What's the weather like in The Hague?
The Hague sees average summer highs of 22°C in July and winter lows of 2°C in January. Annual rainfall totals about 813mm. Full monthly breakdown in the Climate section above.
What visa do I need to move to The Hague?
The Hague's visa regime is set at the national level — Netherlands tracks 4 residence-permit routes including Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant), EU Blue Card, Orientation Year for Highly Educated Persons (Zoekjaar), among others. See the Netherlands country brief for full eligibility, salary thresholds, and processing times.
How do you get around in The Hague?
The Hague has no metro — buses and trams cover intra-city transport; the city centre is highly walkable (Meridian editorial score 5/5); bike infrastructure is strong (5/5). Monthly transit pass cost is in the breakdown above.
What language is spoken in The Hague?
Dutch official; English is the working language in IGOs (ICJ, ICC, OPCW) and international firms. Highly English-friendly.
What is the main airport for The Hague?
The Hague's primary international airport is RTM (Rotterdam The Hague Airport).