Corporate housing in Rotterdam: a guide for HR, relocation and project managers

When a new colleague moves to Rotterdam or a project team needs to be on site for a few months, someone has to arrange housing. Often that someone works in HR, mobility or project management, and housing is only one of many tasks. This guide helps you compare options, avoid common surprises and set things up so your people can focus on their work from day one.

Book now

What does "corporate housing" mean?

Corporate housing is furnished accommodation for employees who need to live somewhere temporarily for work: a new hire waiting for a permanent home, a consultant on a long assignment, or a team working on a project for several weeks or months. The key difference from a hotel is that people get a real home: a kitchen, a living area and separate bedrooms, with services such as cleaning and support taken care of.

Hotel rooms or serviced apartments?

For a few nights, a hotel is usually the easiest choice. Once a stay runs into weeks, the picture changes:

• Space and privacy. Living, sleeping and working in one hotel room gets tiring. An apartment has separate areas for work and rest.
• Meals. With a kitchen, employees are not dependent on restaurants or room service for every meal.
• Teams. Two or three colleagues can each have their own bedroom in one apartment instead of several separate hotel rooms. Check that everyone has enough privacy and beds.
• Routine. Laundry facilities and weekly cleaning make a long stay feel normal.

Want to compare the cost for your own situation? On our Services page you will find a corporate hotel calculator. You enter your own rates for hotel rooms and apartments, plus other costs such as cleaning, parking and meals, and it shows an estimate of both options side by side. For a broader cost comparison, see compare the full cost, not just the nightly rate.

A checklist for HR and project managers

1. Duration and flexibility

Projects rarely end exactly on time. Ask how extensions work and what the cancellation terms are for the rate you book. At Alphabet Apartments, stays run from one night up to 180 days, and extensions are possible subject to availability. Our article on planning a work stay with an uncertain end date has practical tips you can share with your employee.

2. Registration and BSN

Employees who need a BSN must register with the municipality. The rules depend on the length of stay:

• Longer than 4 months: register as a resident in the BRP within 5 days of arrival (government.nl).
• Shorter than 4 months: register as a non-resident in the RNI. In Rotterdam this is for people with an EU passport or ID card, and employers who want to register more than three people at once can request a group registration (rotterdam.nl).
• From outside the EU: a residence permit comes first. For a highly skilled migrant permit, only an IND-recognised employer can apply (ind.nl).

Guests at Alphabet Apartments can register at the property for stays of at least 30 nights. For longer stays, just ask us: we arrange the registration request for your employee, and registering costs nothing. Our guide on BSN registration during a short stay explains the steps in more detail; feel free to send it to new hires.

3. Invoicing and payment

Agree up front who pays, when and how. At Alphabet Apartments, payment is normally due before arrival, but for corporate invoicing we can agree a payment schedule with your business. Bank transfers must be arranged with our team in advance. Invoices can be requested from bookings@alphabetapartments.nl with your billing details. Accepted online payment methods include the major cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and iDEAL | Wero.

For companies with regular or longer stays we offer monthly invoicing and B2B contracts, so you agree the arrangements once and do not have to settle every booking separately.

4. Location and commute

Choose the neighbourhood around the daily journey, not the other way round. Our Rotterdam neighbourhood guide compares all eight of our Rotterdam addresses.

5. Arrival without a key handover

Late flights and changing plans are common. Our apartments use Nuki digital locks: guests receive a six-digit access code by email and WhatsApp one day before arrival, so nobody has to wait at a reception desk. Standard check-in is at 16:00 and check-out at 11:00. Guests complete online check-in in our Alphabet Stay app before arrival, including the details of everyone in the group.

6. Support during the stay

There is no on-site reception; support is provided remotely. Our guest team is available every day from 10:00 to 22:00 by email, phone or WhatsApp.

7. House rules

Make sure employees know the basics: apartments are smoke-free, quiet hours are from 22:00 to 08:00, and only registered guests may stay. Parties and gatherings are not allowed.

Which apartments suit teams?

• Teams of up to six: three-bedroom apartments at Westersingel in central Rotterdam (paid on-site parking), at Jufferstraat by the Markthal, and at 2e Pijnackerstraat in Rotterdam Noord.
• Pairs of colleagues: two-bedroom apartments at Zwart Janstraat, Villapark (parking available) and Westersingel.
• Individual consultants: studios at Binnenrotte near Blaak station, studios with air-conditioning at Brede Hilledijk, and our seven studios and apartments in Hilversum if the work is near Amsterdam or Utrecht.

You can book several apartments at once, subject to availability. For larger or longer bookings we coordinate availability, guest details and invoices through one point of contact.

What is included

Every apartment is fully furnished, with an equipped kitchen, fast private Wi-Fi, fresh linen and towels, laundry facilities and digital access. Weekly cleaning is included for stays of seven nights or longer, and extra cleaning can be booked. The total price consists of the nightly rate times the number of nights, tourist tax, the cleaning fee, VAT and any extras, plus a separate €150–€300 security deposit per booking, paid during online check-in. For corporate bookings under a B2B contract, the deposit can be waived when the company guarantees any damage; we agree this in the contract.

Frequently asked questions

Can we book several apartments for one team?

Yes. Multiple apartments can be booked at once, subject to availability. For larger or longer bookings, one point of contact coordinates availability, guest details and invoices.

Can our company pay by invoice?

Yes. We offer monthly invoicing and B2B contracts for companies. Without a contract, payment is due before arrival, unless a payment schedule for corporate invoicing has been agreed with our team in advance.

Do our employees have to pay a security deposit?

Normally a separate €150–€300 deposit applies. For corporate bookings under a B2B contract, it can be waived when the company guarantees any damage.

Can employees register at the apartment?

Yes, for stays of at least 30 nights. For longer stays, ask us: we arrange the registration request, free of charge.

What is the maximum length of stay?

180 days. Extensions are possible subject to availability.

How do employees get in if they arrive late?

Our apartments use digital locks. Guests receive their access code by email and WhatsApp one day before arrival, so they can arrive after standard check-in time without collecting keys.

Let's plan your team's stay

Tell us how many people, which dates and where they will be working, and we will help you find the right apartments. Discuss a corporate stay on our Services page, contact our team or check availability directly.

---

Frequently asked questions