In depth · Property
Buying property in Amsterdam: the steps for buyers
The official steps for buying a home in Amsterdam. It is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Updated October 2026
The purchase agreement
Buyer and seller sign a written purchase agreement. A private buyer of a home then has a short cooling-off period, set by Dutch law, during which they can withdraw. Confirm the details with your notary or adviser.
The civil-law notary
The transfer deed is signed before a civil-law notary (notaris), who checks the title and any charges, settles the purchase money and registers the transfer with the Kadaster. The Royal Dutch Association of Civil-law Notaries explains each step on notaris.nl.
Leasehold land (erfpacht)
Much of the land in Amsterdam is leased from the city on erfpacht terms rather than owned outright. The terms affect what you buy, so ask your notary to explain them for any property you consider.
Where people live
See our property guide for the canal ring, the Jordaan, Oud-Zuid, De Pijp and the IJ waterfront. We don’t publish prices or yields.
Questions and answers
Who completes a property sale in the Netherlands?
A civil-law notary, who signs the transfer deed and registers it with the Kadaster.
What is erfpacht?
Leasehold: much of Amsterdam’s land is leased from the city rather than owned outright. Ask your notary to explain the terms.
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Confirm every step with a Dutch civil-law notary or lawyer.