first floor

One Level Up: The Eerste Verdieping

Understanding the term "first floor" is arguably one of the most critical pieces of cultural and practical knowledge for any expat renting in the Netherlands. It is a simple term that hides a major difference in definition between Europe and North America, and getting it wrong can lead to significant confusion and frustration. The Dutch "first floor," or eerste verdieping, is not at street level; it is one flight of stairs up, a fact that fundamentally changes the character and desirability of an apartment.

The Great Transatlantic Floor-Numbering Divide

The confusion stems from two different systems for counting the floors of a building. The system used in the Netherlands and the vast majority of the world is as follows:

This table illustrates the problem clearly: an American's "second floor" is a Dutch person's "first floor." A renter from the US searching for a "first-floor" apartment because they want to avoid stairs will be deeply disappointed when they arrive at a viewing to find they have to climb a full, and likely very steep, flight of them. It is essential to internalize the Dutch system and mentally add one to any American floor number to avoid misunderstanding.

The Bel-Étage: The Most Desirable Floor

Historically, the first floor held a special status. In grand 18th and 19th-century Dutch houses (herenhuizen), this floor was known as the bel-étage (French for "beautiful floor". It was considered the principal and most prestigious floor of the house. Being elevated from the street, it offered more privacy, less noise, and cleaner air than the ground floor. To reflect its importance, the bel-étage was built with the highest ceilings, the largest windows, and the most ornate decorations, such as elaborate plasterwork (stucwerk) and marble fireplaces. When these magnificent old houses are converted into apartments, the unit on the first floor is often the most desirable and most expensive. It retains these grand proportions and architectural details, offering a sense of space and light that other floors lack. Renting on the bel-étage is renting a piece of architectural history.

The Practical Pros and Cons of First-Floor Living

Living one flight up offers what many consider to be the ideal balance of trade-offs in urban apartment living.

• The Upsides: You are high enough to be removed from the direct noise and scrutiny of the street, providing a significant boost in privacy and security compared to the ground floor. You often get more natural light and better views, without the exhausting multi-flight climb required for higher floors. For many, this represents the "sweet spot" in a walk-up building.
• The Downsides: The main drawback is the potential for noise from two directions. You will likely have neighbors below you and neighbors above you, making you the filling in a "noise sandwich." The sound of footsteps, furniture moving, and children playing from above can be a serious issue, as can your own noise traveling downwards. Furthermore, while it's only one flight of stairs, in the Netherlands this flight is likely to be steep, narrow, and winding—a daily challenge that should not be underestimated.