- Pascal Tremblay
With InterNations as my network, I have been able to make many friends learn the ins and outs about living in The Hague.
Find friends, feel at home in The Hague
Are you new in The Hague or considering living here? Imagine you could meet fellow Canadians who miss the same traditions from home, like celebrating Canada Day or inviting family and friends over for Thanksgiving in October.
Other Canadian expats are also a great source of first-hand tips to help you get settled in The Hague. Whether you want to know where to shop for authentic Canadian snacks or are looking for someone to watch the Grey Cup with, the InterNations The Hague Community has you covered!
Why you'll love InterNations in The Hague
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
Why Canadians move abroad (& how they like it)
Every year, we publish Expat Insider, one of the biggest global surveys among expats and ask them about various aspects of their life. Find out what motivated our Canadian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.
The pros & cons of living in The Hague
No place is perfect, there’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Find out what our Canadian members love about their life abroad — and the challenges they face in The Hague.
Pros:
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No language barrier: Many Dutch people speak English very well, so getting by without local language skills isn’t that hard. But of course, learning Dutch in advanced will provide additional benefits.
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Cycling habit: Bicycles are a common mode of transportation in The Hague. As a small, densely populated city, it’s often more convenient to cycle from one place to another rather than use a car. There are also plenty of bike lanes.
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Temporary tax relief: Highly skilled foreign employees can benefit from a tax advantage known as the Dutch 30/20/10 ruling, which allows them to receive up to 30% of their salary tax-free for up to 5 years.
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Ease travel: Unlike in Canada where driving is often a necessity and long distances a common reality, here you can travel around the city, country, and continent easily with public transportation like trains or buses.
Cons:
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High rent: Finding a place to live in The Hague can be difficult due to limited housing and high prices. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment easily costs at least 1,000 EUR per month.
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Crowded: The Hague is the most packed city in the Netherlands, with loads of residents and tourists in a small area. Navigating the city center on weekends can be a challenge, it gets so crowded.
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Bad weather: Winters in The Hague can be long and freezing, though at least nowhere near as cold as Canadian winters. It rains a lot, even in the summer. When it’s not raining, the sky is often grey, and the wind can be harsh.
Meet Canadian expats at our events in The Hague
Moving to a new city can feel lonely if you don’t know anyone. But not to worry! Simply head to our events and make your first friends there.
You’ll get to know a bunch of fellow internationals in no time. The Hague’s large expat family is also a great source to get first-hand information about your new home.
Check out our upcoming events so you don’t miss the opportunity to build your network. Especially our Newcomers’ Events are geared towards people new to the city. You’ll be warmly greeted by our Ambassadors and introduced to other newcomers or more experienced expats living in The Hague.
Want to meet other Canadians at our events?
All your questions about The Hague, answered
As both international companies and plenty of socializing opportunities can be found in the center of the city, this area also draws a lot of expats. Some of the most popular parts of The Hague include:
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Statenkwartier: One of the most international parts of town, with many international schools, embassies, and communities. Shops and boutiques are everywhere.
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Zeeheldenkwartier: Located west of the city center, it features a lively atmosphere with a vibrant arts scene and many green spaces. For that reason, it’s also in high demand with families.
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Archipelbuurt: Situated between the city center and Scheveningen beach, it offers many shopping areas and culinary options. Housing here is expensive, though.
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Benoordenhout: With many international schools, hospitals, and green spaces, it is great for expats with families. It also offers cozy cafes and diverse restaurants.
The average salary for jobs in The Hague is around 3,500 to 4,500 EUR per month. If you’re making at least this amount, you can live comfortably here. However, if you have a family and kids to support, you might want to aim higher. Between 5,000 and 5,500 EUR is considered a good household income for a family.
Here is an overview of the cost of living in The Hague:
| CAD per month | Local currency per month | |
Utilities (power, water, etc.) | 305 CAD | 205 CAD |
Rent for a studio apartment | 1,570–1,950 CAD | 1,050–1,300 EUR |
Rent for a small family home | 2,600–3,360 CAD | 1,750–2,250 EUR |
Public transportation | 80 CAD | 55 CAD |
Mobile phone & internet | 90 CAD | 60 CAD |
Meal at a restaurant (per person) | 20-50 CAD | 15-35 CAD |
Groceries (per person) | 330 CAD | 220 CAD |
Basic health insurance (public) | 180 CAD | 120 CAD |
The Hague is a very international city, with 15% of its residents being expats. English is widely spoken, so getting without knowing Dutch is typically not a problem. In fact, The Hague ranked 6th for the ease of living there without local language skills in the Expat City Ranking 2024.
Still, it never hurts to pick up some Dutch during (or even before) your stay in The Hague. Whether you learn through local language courses or with online resources, the locals will surely appreciate the effort.
We’ve also collected some services that cater to English speakers to help you out with important aspects of life (these services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations):
GPs, dentists, and more | International Health Centre Center that offers many different services, from GP services and dental care to dermatology, gynecology, physio, and more) |
Urgent care | Haaglanden Medisch Centrum (HMC) Top clinical hospital that provides 24/7 emergency care |
Immigration assistance | Moving and Immigration The Hague Relocation and registration services |
Tax advisor | Moodys Tax Personal tax planning for Canadians citizens living abroad |
Instant interpreting service | DayInterpreting Connect to a native Dutch speaker on your phone and use it to have an instant interpreter with you |
Meet other Canadians in The Hague
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
There are a variety of InterNations Groups you can join based on your interests. These groups are run by dedicated Consuls who hold at least one activity each month, organize everything from dinners to spontaneous activities.
From enjoying brunch with an amazing view with the Sunday Brunch at the Seaside Group to hunting pictures with the Amateur Photographers Group or playing tennis with the Tennis and Squash Group. There’s something for everyone.
Find other Canadians to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the international experience wherever you are
We’re not just in The Hague! InterNations has lively communities in most of the Netherlands’ major cities. If you’re traveling or moving to another Dutch city, check out our Canadian communities in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Maastricht, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Breda, or Groningen.
And that’s not all! If you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, InterNations is your go-to platform. As a member, you’re always welcome to join events in any of our communities in over 420 cities worldwide. Browse all InterNations Communities.
- Pascal Tremblay
With InterNations as my network, I have been able to make many friends learn the ins and outs about living in The Hague.
- Lastri Sasongko
Making new friends and contacts in the Hague was much easier once I began to attent InterNations events.
