The dating landscape in the Netherlands is more accessible than ever, and I can confirm this from my own experience. Take a look at this guide to the leading Dutch dating sites and apps.
⭐ Best Dutch dating apps
- ✓ Uniek persoonlijkheidsrapport
- ✓ 1 op de 3 vindt hier een partner
- ✓ Makkelijk te gebruiken app
- ✓ Stuur persoonlijke berichten
- ✓ Handmatige controle van alle profielen
- ✓ Daten voor hoger opgeleide singles
LEXA
Lexa.nl is one of the most popular and reliable dating sites in the Netherlands for people who are looking for serious and long-term relationships. It is part of the Match Group, which is a global leader in online dating services. Lexa.nl not only provides a platform for users to find compatible matches based on their preferences and personality but also organizes various events to help them connect more deeply. These events include dinners, parties, workshops, and more, where users can meet other singles in a fun and relaxed environment. Lexa.nl offers different subscription plans, from one to six months, to suit different needs and budgets. You can also try the site for free for three days before deciding to join.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of Lexa.nl:
| Lexa.nl Advantages: | Lexa.nl Disadvantages: |
| An in-depth website with useful information and tips | Pricey membership |
| Intelligent matching | Anonymous payment is not possible |
| Excellent features | Difficult to cancel the subscription |
| Reliable and safe |
- EMMA’S RATING: 10/10
BE2
Be2 is a global dating website that is also very popular among the Dutch. Its growing user base makes it an ideal place to meet your Mr. or Mrs. Right.
Be2 is a dating site that aims to help singles find love in the Netherlands. Be2 has a large and diverse member base. Be2 uses a scientific personality test to match users with compatible partners based on their preferences and characteristics. Be2 also offers various features and options to communicate and interact with other members, such as messages, emojis, video calls, and events. Be2 is not a free site, but it offers different subscription plans to suit different needs and budgets.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of Be2:
| Be2 Advantages: | Be2 Disadvantages: |
| Free partner recommendations | Subscription is automatically renewed |
| Excellent gender ratio | Low-cost transparency |
| Scientifically based compatibility Index | |
| Private and secure |
- EMMA’S RATING: 6/10
C-DATE
For those in the Netherlands interested in a more casual dating experience, C-Date serves as a popular choice. The site’s international reach lets users extend their search both locally and abroad, broadening the scope for potential connections. C-Date has various Dutch members who are looking for different kinds of adventures, from romantic nights to uncomplicated dates. C-Date uses a compatibility test that matches users based on their preferences and personality.
I found that while basic functionalities are available in the free version, unlocking the platform’s best features does require a paid membership.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of C-Date:
| C-Date Advantages: | C-Date Disadvantages: |
| Excellent profile protection | A 1-month subscription is not available everywhere |
| Safe photo exchange | Slow customer service |
| Matching based on compatibility | |
| 72% flirt success |
- EMMA’S RATING: 7/10
LIVING AND DATING IN THE NETHERLANDS
Dating in the Netherlands can be both easy and hard, depending on what you expect from it. If you like the traditional way of courting and playing hard to get, you might find it difficult. The Dutch are not into that kind of game.
But if you are a practical person who likes to be direct and honest, you might enjoy dating in the Netherlands. That is how the Dutch are too: pragmatic and straightforward.
You do not have to worry about finding a Dutch partner if you come from another country or culture. The Dutch are very open-minded and diverse, and they welcome people from different backgrounds and lifestyles. So, you can be confident that you will find someone who suits you.
If you want to ask a Dutch person out for drinks, just go ahead and do it. They appreciate a clear and frank approach. But do not expect to impress them (or be impressed) with a fancy restaurant on your first date. The Dutch prefer a casual atmosphere with some beer and bitterballen (deep-fried meatballs).
There is no one-size-fits-all scenario for dating in the land of the Dutch, so it is hard to say what you should prepare for. It all depends on who you meet and how your relationship evolves over time.
The Dutch like to take things slowly and see how they work out. It is not unusual for them to live together and have children before getting married. This shows their commitment to being realistic and practical.
ARE DATING SITES POPULAR IN THE NETHERLANDS?
The Netherlands is a modern and progressive country that embraces everything that can make their lives more convenient. That is why dating websites and apps are very popular among the Dutch.
According to a survey by Statista, around 60% of the Dutch use online dating platforms to find a relationship. Many of them prefer free dating services, and some of them are only available in Dutch. However, if you are an expat or someone who is going to the Netherlands for work or study, you might want to try one of the global dating platforms.
FINDING A PARTNER ONLINE
Online dating can be a great way to find a partner, especially if you face some challenges in meeting people in person. For instance, when you see someone you like in a store, you have no idea if they are single or interested in dating. But when you use a dating site or app, you can be sure that everyone there is looking for a partner.
Another good reason to try online dating is if you are shy or nervous about approaching people. Online dating platforms give you a chance to get to know someone before you meet them face to face. You can chat and exchange messages with them until you feel comfortable and confident.
If you are someone who enjoys socializing but is too busy to go out, dating apps are a convenient option. You can access them on your smartphone anytime and anywhere. You can talk or text with someone while you are taking a break from work, traveling to work or school, or relaxing on your couch at home.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DATING SERVICE
Online dating can be overwhelming, especially when there are so many websites and apps to choose from. The first step to finding the right one for you is to decide what kind of relationship you are looking for. Different dating platforms cater to different needs and preferences. If you want to find a partner quickly and efficiently, you should go for the site that matches your expectations. If you are more flexible and curious, you can try out different sites and see which one suits you best.
However, you should keep in mind that most dating sites and apps have limited features for free users. You can sign up for free and browse through profiles, but you cannot send or receive messages or photos with the people you like. You also miss out on many other features that can improve your chances of finding a match, such as advanced search filters, compatibility tests, and events. To access these features, you need to pay for a membership. This can be a worthwhile investment if you are serious about online dating and want to get the most out of it.
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR ONLINE DATING EXPERIENCE
There are a lot of things you can do that can make your online dating experience much more successful and fun:
- Take the time to complete your profile
Of course, what detail you will go into when completing your profile really depends on the type of relationship you are looking for. The more serious the relationship, the more profile information is required.
- Choose a good profile photo
A photo is a part of your profile and should show the essence of who you are (and what you want). Choose a more provocative image if you want a casual relationship or fling. If you want something more serious, simply choose a good, well-lit photo of yourself that accents what you most like about yourself.
- Go through partner suggestions
Depending on the dating app you choose to use, you might get partner suggestions. These are usually based on some type of personality test or matching algorithm. Even though these tests and algorithms do not always get things right, it is best to consider all of them.
- Start looking and mingle
Partner suggestions are not the only way to find a partner. You can actually search for your match based on your preferences. It is also a good idea to participate in different events your website organizes.
- Make a move
Making the first move on a dating website is definitely not as intimidating as in person. So, take a deep breath and write that first message – you have nothing to lose.
FAQ
Because the date will probably be a laid-back affair, it is best to dress casually.
Yes, some of them use Tinder, but mostly for casual dating and one-night stands.
The practice of each paying for what they have ordered is not only limited to dating but also when going out with friends. The Dutch do not see anything bad in it – quite the contrary. They do not know the other person’s finances and do not wish to burden them with the cost of what they have drunk or eaten.
They can if they want to. Unlike in some other countries where asking a woman on a date is considered an act of chivalry, in the Netherlands, where pragmatism comes before all else, it is absolutely okay for it to be the other way around.
The Dutch are not necessarily known for being silent and enjoying it (although there are surely some who like it). You can even expect some unusually direct and intimate questions on your first date (e.g. ‘How many people have you slept with?’).
