New research suggests that Dutch residential real estate outperforms comparable residential markets in Europe and North America on both an absolute and risk-adjusted basis, delivering an annual total return of 10.5% between 2016 and 2025.

The report will be presented to investors at Expo Real. Photo: Messe München GmbH

The report, by Finance Ideas and commissioned by Holland Metropole and IVBN, highlights the growing attractiveness of Dutch residential real estate for international institutional investors. It will be formally presented at Expo Real in Munich.

The report says the Netherlands stands out because of its mature, transparent institutional market which is valued at €73 billion. This coupled with the Netherlands’ AAA-rated economy, a structural housing shortage, strong ESG performance and diversification opportunities highlight the benefits of making Dutch residential a key component in an international investment portfolio.

In particular, the report highlights the way the Dutch government has made improving the investment climate a key part of its drive to boost residential development. Recent measures include tax incentives – such as a cut in property transfer tax - and financial support for new rental housing and these, the report states, are further improving the investment climate.

Read the report

The government has also committed to updating the conditions for exempting foreign pension funds from corporation tax requirements, with new rules likely by the end of the year.

With significant capital needed to address the housing shortage and deliver 100,000 new homes annually, the report concludes that the Dutch residential sector offers both attractive long-term returns and meaningful societal impact. 

Housing minister Elanor Boekholt-O'Sullivan will be talking about the opportunities offered by Dutch residential housing at a special session on Monday on mobilising global pension capital for Europe’s housing transition. The discussion will take place on October 5 at 11.00 -12.00 on the exhibitor stage in Hall A2.

On Tuesday there will be a special focus on the new report, examining the opportunities offered by Dutch residential investment market and why it is worth a more detailed look. The presentation is by Real Asset Media on the Insight Stage, Hall A1, stand 132 at 12.30.