Rotterdam for Newcomers: The Port City on the Nieuwe Maas Step by Step

Rotterdam has eleven municipal districts, including Kralingen-Crooswijk, Delfshaven, Feijenoord, Hillegersberg-Schiebroek, Noord, Charlois, IJsselmonde, Overschie, Hoogvliet, Hoek van Holland and Prins Alexander, which with around 85,000 inhabitants is the most populous. The Centrum with the Blaak, Markthal and Cube Houses does not have its own district status. Kralingen is home to the Kralingse Bos, covering around 250 hectares, and the Trompenburg Arboretum.

South of the Nieuwe Maas, Feijenoord was one of the city's first extensions; most of the old village of Katendrecht had to make way for the Rijnhaven in 1894, and the Kop van Zuid later developed into a new district with high-rises such as the World Port Center by the Erasmusbrug. Which district suits you depends on your commute, school and metro connection – we plan the move according to the access and floor of your address.

The housing market in Rotterdam is in demand; we deliberately do not give reliable current rent figures here. Register early with housing portals, allow for a deposit and service charges, and check the rent level on weetwatjehuurt.nl. Since 1 December 2025, tenants in 25 streets have needed a free housing permit; for housing associations, the association applies for it, and for private landlords, the city.

Many flats are let unfurnished, some even without a kitchen – well-planned furniture transport is then especially important. On request, our home removal service ranges from storage to furniture assembly. Coordinate the moving date with the start of your tenancy and your registration appointment at the Gemeente, so you are registered from the first day.

If you are already registered in the Netherlands and are moving to Rotterdam from within the country, according to the city you report the move from four weeks before until five days after moving day, online with DigiD or by post.

Honesty comes first for us. Our prices at a glance: from €344 for a 1-room flat, from €584 for 2 rooms, from €915 for 3 rooms and from €1,299 for 4 rooms. For houses and villas there is no fixed range – here we always prepare an individual quote. If you are moving further away, you pay from €4.10 per kilometre for a long-distance move. Feel free to use our free survey to get clarity.

Volume and distance (from €4.10/km) form the basis of every price calculation. Added to this are structural factors such as floor and lift, as well as any parking restriction zone that may be needed. Furniture assembly and a shared load can also affect the total price.

These six services form the foundation of our work.

1. Home removal – with a home removal, every detail counts.
2. Furniture transport – furniture transport is carried out with modern equipment.
3. Company relocation – the company relocation is handled on schedule.
4. House clearance – house clearance makes room for something new.
5. Shared load – a shared load saves you real money.
6. Move with assembly – the move with assembly is our complete package.

We come from Berlin-Moabit and handle long-distance moves within Germany and abroad. More information under long-distance moves; destinations with their own page can be found in the locations overview.

According to the Gemeente Rotterdam, anyone moving to Rotterdam from abroad, staying longer than four months and not yet having a BSN must register in person. You book the appointment online; the city provides information on 14 010, or from abroad on +31 10 267 16 25. Registration is free of charge and usually takes about four weeks after all documents have been submitted. Non-EU citizens first need a residence permit from the IND. According to the Rijksoverheid, registration should take place within 5 days of arrival.

If you move to Rotterdam from another Dutch municipality, you report the move from four weeks before until five days after the move. You can do this online with DigiD, or alternatively by post. Processing takes up to five weeks. According to the city, anyone who reports late or incorrectly risks a fine of up to €325. If other people already live at the address, you need a declaration from the other occupants (verklaring van inwoning).

• EU citizens need a valid passport or ID card.
• When you leave the Netherlands, you deregister again.
• The statutory health insurance obligation applies to everyone who lives or works in the country (government.nl).

The route is described in the long-distance moving guide for Rotterdam, and the formalities are summarised in the moving checklist for the Netherlands.

Kralingen is known above all for the Kralingse Bos: according to the Gemeente Rotterdam, at around 250 hectares it is the city's largest park, with a lake, woodland, a heritage garden and meadows. The park was officially opened on 28 November 1953 and in 2007 was voted the best public space in the Netherlands. Dogs must be kept on a lead, and barbecues are only allowed where they endanger no one. In heat above 25 degrees, the city may enforce park rules more strictly.

Important for tenants is the housing permit (huisvestingsvergunning): since 1 December 2025, tenants in 25 streets, including Aar, Alerdincksingel, Dordtselaan, Pleinweg, Polderlaan and Slinge, have needed this permit. It applies to everyone aged 16 and over, is free of charge, and the city aims to decide within five weeks. The check looks at whether any noise nuisance is already on record. For housing associations, the association applies for the permit, and for private landlords, the city.

• Check the rent: the city refers to weetwatjehuurt.nl and accepts reports of excessive rent.
• Parking: resident permits only apply in the sector for which they were issued; if a sector is full, a waiting list applies.

A neighbouring city is presented in Living in Utrecht, and costs and districts in the Rotterdam guide.