The Hague

Overview

The Hague is a city of contradictions. It houses the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, and the Dutch parliament. Foreign embassies line its tree-shaded boulevards. Diplomats eat lunch in the Plein district, and the king works at Paleis Noordeinde in the city center. It's the most formally international city in the Netherlands.

It also has one of the country's largest red-light districts.

The Hague's window prostitution area sits in the Schilderswijk neighborhood, a working-class district less than 2 kilometers south of the parliament buildings. The contrast is striking but distinctly Dutch. The same pragmatic regulatory approach that makes the Netherlands a leader in international law also governs its policy on sex work: legalize, regulate, monitor.

The city doesn't market its red-light area to tourists. There are no guided tours, no themed souvenirs, no Instagram-friendly branding. The window district operates as a business zone within a residential neighborhood, used primarily by locals and regional visitors rather than international tourists.

Legal Context

The Netherlands lifted its national brothel ban in 2000, and The Hague licenses window prostitution through a municipal permit system. Workers must be at least 21, hold EU citizenship or legal residency, and register with the municipality. Window operators hold separate licenses for the premises.

The Hague has maintained its red-light area through several rounds of political debate. The city council has periodically discussed reducing the number of window spaces or relocating them, but as of early 2026 the district operates in its traditional location. Municipal enforcement officers and police conduct regular inspections focused on licensing compliance, worker safety, and trafficking prevention.

Health services are available through the GGD Haaglanden, which provides free sexual health testing and counseling for sex workers. The city also funds outreach programs through organizations like Spot 46.

Key Areas

The window prostitution zone occupies several connected streets in the northern part of the Schilderswijk neighborhood.

Geleenstraat is the primary window street, with the highest concentration of units. The windows line both sides of this relatively short street, creating a corridor effect similar to Amsterdam's narrower alleys but in a wider, more open setting.

Hunsestraat connects to Geleenstraat and has additional window units. The two streets together form the core of the district.

Doubletstraat runs parallel and has both window units and some indoor establishments. The street gives the area its commonly used name, though the windows are spread across all three streets.

The total count is roughly 150 licensed window spaces, making this significantly larger than Amsterdam's Singelgebied or Ruysdaelkade. Only Amsterdam's De Wallen, with its 300-plus windows, is bigger in the Netherlands.

How the Windows Work

The system is standard Dutch window prostitution. Workers rent window spaces from licensed operators. They sit behind glass doors illuminated by red or pink lights, visible from the street. Interested clients knock on the door, discuss services and price briefly, and if both agree, step inside. The curtain closes and the session takes place in the room behind the window.

Sessions typically last 15 to 20 minutes. The transaction is direct: you agree on what's included and pay in cash before services begin. Workers set their own prices and terms. If a worker declines a client, that decision is final and non-negotiable.

The windows operate from late afternoon through the early morning hours, with peak activity between 8 PM and midnight. Some windows open as early as noon, while others don't start until evening. Weekend nights are the busiest periods.

Pricing

The Hague's window prices run slightly below Amsterdam's, reflecting the lower cost of living and reduced tourist demand. A standard session of 15 to 20 minutes typically costs EUR 50 to 80. Most workers quote EUR 50 as the starting rate, compared to EUR 50 to 100 in Amsterdam's De Wallen.

General costs in the surrounding area are modest. A beer at a local bar runs EUR 3 to 5. Dinner at a Schilderswijk restaurant costs EUR 10 to 20 per person, with plenty of Turkish, Moroccan, and Surinamese options at the lower end. Public transport across The Hague costs EUR 3.40 per trip using the OV-chipkaart system.

Safety

The window streets themselves are monitored by CCTV cameras and see regular police patrols. The concentrated nature of the area, with activity focused on a few short streets, makes it relatively easy for authorities to maintain order. Violent incidents are uncommon.

The surrounding Schilderswijk is a multicultural, densely populated, working-class neighborhood. It's not dangerous, but it doesn't have the polished feel of The Hague's diplomatic quarter or beachside Scheveningen. Keep standard urban awareness:

• Don't flash expensive items or leave bags unattended
• Stick to lit, populated streets when walking at night
• The side streets off the main window area are residential. They're fine during the day but less populated after midnight
• Pickpocketing is less of an issue than in Amsterdam simply because tourist crowds are absent

Emergency services are responsive. The nearest hospital is HMC Westeinde, about 1.5 kilometers north of the district. Emergency number is 112.

Cultural Context

The Hague's red-light district exists in a different cultural context than Amsterdam's. There's no tourism economy built around it. The visitors are overwhelmingly Dutch or from neighboring Belgium and Germany. You won't hear English as the default language in the window area.

The Schilderswijk itself is one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the Netherlands, with large Turkish, Moroccan, and Surinamese communities. The window district has coexisted with these communities for decades, though the relationship isn't always easy. Some residents want the windows gone; others accept them as part of the neighborhood's fabric. The municipality has managed this tension through regulation and community engagement.

Visitors should approach with respect for both the workers and the neighborhood. This isn't a tourist attraction. It's a commercial zone in someone's home area. Keep noise down, don't photograph the windows, and move through without treating the streets as entertainment.

Scam Warnings

Unlicensed operators. Stick to the clearly marked, red-lit licensed windows. Any solicitation happening outside the designated window area, on side streets, from vehicles, or through informal arrangements, falls outside the regulated system and lacks safety protections.

Online scams. Some escort listings targeting The Hague use fake photos and request advance payment. Never send money to unverified sources. Licensed indoor venues and verified agencies are the safe alternative.

Getting Around

• Tram: HTM tram lines 9 and 12 serve the Schilderswijk area. The ride from Den Haag Centraal station takes about 10 minutes
• Walking: The district is roughly 1.5 kilometers from the city center. Walkable in 20 minutes from the parliament area
• Taxi and ride-hailing: Uber and Bolt operate in The Hague. A ride from Centraal Station to the Doubletstraat area costs EUR 8 to 12
• Train: The Hague is 50 minutes from Amsterdam by intercity train, with frequent service. Den Haag Centraal and Den Haag Hollands Spoor are the two main stations
• Cycling: The city is flat and bike-friendly. OV-fiets rental bikes are available at both train stations for EUR 4.55 per 24 hours

What Not to Do

• Do not photograph or film workers in their windows. This rule is enforced across all Dutch red-light areas
• Do not block doorways or stand in groups on the window streets
• Do not negotiate prices below what's quoted. Workers set their rates
• Do not wander deep into residential side streets late at night expecting more windows. The area is compact and defined
• Do not assume the Schilderswijk is unsafe because it's working-class. It's a normal neighborhood. Treat it that way
• Do not compare it to Amsterdam aloud while standing in the area. This is its own place with its own character
• Do not engage with anyone offering services outside the licensed window zone