How to Get Cheap or Free Items in the Netherlands
Back when I first moved to the Netherlands, I came across a used wardrobe and felt so proud paying just 50 euros instead of 110 euros. Only later did I find out I could have picked up the exact same piece totally free of charge! So I decided to share this slightly expensive lesson with you all.
If luck is on your side and you land a fully furnished place, you will hardly need to spend a dime on basics. If not, the furnishing mission begins. In this post, we are breaking down all the smart ways to set up your home with essentials:
1. Buying Brand-New Items
One of the best places to buy all your home essentials is IKEA, which has branches in almost every major city. There is also a fairly large IKEA store on Sontweg in Groningen. As an insider tip, always check out the bargain corner right by the exit (Koopjeshoek); they sell open-box items and floor models at massive discounts.
- Buying Secondhand Items
Groningen is a student city; towards the end of the academic year, plenty of students put their belongings up for sale at unbeatable prices.
3. Getting Free Items
The Dutch have a wonderful culture of giving away items they no longer need completely free of charge. They believe this gives their belongings a second life, while also being great for the environment.
Some tenants give away their old furniture for free when relocating, because Dutch tenancy hand-over rules require them to deliver the property in the exact state they received it (usually completely bare), or the landlord will deduct disposal fees from their security deposit (Borg).
Other times, people simply offer items for free because renting a van and paying transport costs is too expensive, making it easier to order brand-new pieces for their next place instead.
So, how do you actually find these free treasures?
- Facebook Marketplace: This feature is not enabled for accounts created in Iran, but it unlocks inside the app once you arrive in the Netherlands. It features multiple categories, including a dedicated section for free items. There are also plenty of local Facebook groups with names like "Gratis af te halen" in every city where locals list their spare items.
- Marktplaats App: This Dutch platform works just like Divar back home. You can filter listings within a specific radius of your address. On top of that, the price filter includes a dedicated "Gratis" option.
Pro Tip:
The magic word to remember in Dutch is Gratis (free). Typing this single term into the search bar of either platform instantly unlocks an endless catalog of items available entirely free of charge.
Thrift and Charity Shops (Kringloopwinkel): Almost every Dutch city boasts secondhand stores known as a Kringloop. Locals drop off usable gear they no longer need, which gets sorted, tested, and resold for pocket change. Here in Groningen, make sure to visit the popular Mamamini branches or the expansive Fair Back thrift shop (Stichting Fair Back Kringloop). Think of them as well ordered vintage warehouses loaded with everything from dishware to cozy couches. Give yourself plenty of time to hunt through the aisles, because walking away empty handed is almost impossible.
Just remember, thrift hunting demands a fair bit of patience. But once you dig through the shelves, the payoff is real: you can score fantastic quality items for very little.
Curbside Freebies: Walking down Dutch streets, you will often spot neighbors leaving solid, usable furniture right outside their doorsteps. One key detail: always look for a handwritten "Gratis meenemen" (free to take) tag to avoid mistaking an active move or a prebooked city trash collection for a giveaway. If it is marked, do not hesitate to scoop it up; sharing and repurposing items curbside is deeply woven into the local lifestyle.
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