Get buying options that fit
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Step 1 of 2 · What you want to buy
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I’ll review it and come back to you within one business day, usually sooner. Questions in the meantime? Call me on +31 6 59 12 91 27.
Owning makes sense when your operation is stable, your fit-out is specialised, or the location is too scarce to rent. We find the building, view and test it, and negotiate the price and the purchase terms on your side, with one point of contact from brief to notary.
Intake
We define the building you need and model buying against leasing on total cost, so you know owning is the right call before you search.
Market search
Owner-occupier buildings are often sold quietly by private owners. We search listed stock and approach owners directly.
Shortlist & viewings
We shortlist the buildings worth your time and organise the viewings, with you, or on your behalf with photo and video if you’re abroad.
Suitability advice
Location, building, zoning, grid capacity and price, tested against comparable sales before you make an offer.
Negotiation
Price, timing and the conditions in the purchase agreement: financing, due diligence and permits, so you can walk away if you need to.
Documentation & handover
We coordinate due diligence with your advisers, or ours, then the notary, the transfer in the Kadaster and the handover.
What buying costs on top of the price
The purchase price is only part of it. Budget for these from day one, not at the notary.
| Cost | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Transfer tax | 10.4% of the price on an existing commercial building, usually paid by the buyer |
| VAT on new buildings | 21% VAT instead of transfer tax on a building sold within two years of first use, and on building land |
| Notary & Kadaster | Deed of transfer and registration; usually a few thousand euros, more with a mortgage |
| Due diligence | Technical, soil, asbestos, legal and tax reports, depending on the building |
| Financing | Valuation and arrangement fees, and a larger equity share than on a home |
| Owning | Both the owner’s and user’s share of municipal property tax (OZB), insurance, maintenance and any ground rent (erfpacht) |
Buying a warehouse in the Netherlands
Can a foreign company buy a warehouse in the Netherlands?
Yes. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership of Dutch commercial property. You can buy through your existing company or through a Dutch BV; the choice is mainly a tax and financing question, so settle it with your tax adviser before you sign. Our guide to buying a warehouse in the Netherlands walks through the full process.
What taxes do you pay when buying a warehouse in the Netherlands?
On an existing building, usually 10.4% transfer tax (overdrachtsbelasting) on the purchase price, paid by the buyer. A new building sold within two years of first use carries 21% VAT instead, and transfer tax then normally does not apply. See the full cost breakdown.
How long does it take to buy a warehouse in the Netherlands?
Once you have found the building, going from agreed terms to transfer at the notary commonly takes two to four months, depending on due diligence, financing and any permit conditions. How long the search takes depends on how scarce your type of building is in your preferred region.
Why are warehouses for sale hard to find?
Most large, modern warehouses are owned by institutional investors, who sell to other investors, usually with a tenant in place, not to occupiers. Buildings that suit an owner-occupier, especially between 500 and 5,000 m², are more often held by private owners and business owners, and many are sold without ever being openly listed. That is why we search off the market as well as on it.
Do you also act for sellers?
No. We act for the buyer or the tenant, never the seller, and we do not list property. That is why we can tell you plainly when a building is overpriced, or when leasing is the better option.
What is erfpacht and how does it affect a warehouse purchase?
Erfpacht is a Dutch ground lease: you own the building, but the land stays with the landowner, often a municipality or, in the port of Rotterdam, the port authority. You pay ground rent and must follow the lease conditions, which affect cost, use and resale. Check the conditions and the next rent revision before you sign.
Should I buy or lease a warehouse?
Lease while the operation is still proving itself or the location is uncertain; buy when your fit-out is specialised, the site is scarce, or your horizon is long and stable. Read lease or buy for a distribution operation, or see leasing warehouse space in the Netherlands.
Can you help with financing a warehouse purchase?
Yes. We introduce you to lenders and finance partners and give the bank the property information it needs. Expect a larger equity contribution than on a home, and close scrutiny of the operating company’s accounts. See our partners.
How the Dutch purchase process works for a foreign company, what it really costs, and what to check before you commit.
- How to buy a warehouse in the Netherlands: a guide for foreign companies
- The cost of buying a warehouse: transfer tax, VAT and fees (2026)
- Warehouse due diligence in the Netherlands: a buyer’s checklist
- Lease or buy: what makes sense for your distribution operation
- Dutch logistics hubs, where we work
- Rather lease? Lease warehouse space in the Netherlands
