The Usual Options
The key under the doormat is the world's oldest remote access solution, and it's terrible. Every burglar checks there first. The same goes for keys hidden under flowerpots, inside fake rocks, or above the door frame. These spots were exposed decades ago and offer almost no real security.
A combination lockbox (the small metal boxes you mount near your door) is a step up. They cost €20–€40 and hold a key behind a 4-digit code. They work, but they're not invisible — a lockbox on your wall signals to observant people that a key is nearby. And if multiple people know the code, you can't easily change it for just one person.
Asking a neighbor is the most Dutch solution imaginable, and it works when it works. But it requires the neighbor to be home, to be available, and to not be on holiday in Spain right when you need them.
Why These Don't Work Long-Term
Each of these solutions breaks down with repeated use. The key under the mat gets discovered. The lockbox code gets shared beyond who you intended. The neighbor gets tired of being your personal doorman. And none of them give you confirmation — you don't know if the plumber actually arrived, how long the cleaner stayed, or when your mom let herself in.
There's also the security dimension. Once you hand over a physical key or share a lockbox code, you've given someone indefinite access to your home. You can't revoke it remotely, you can't set time limits, and you can't track usage. It's a trust-based system with no verification.
Smart Lock: The Real Solution
A smart lock solves this properly. You can unlock your door from your phone anywhere in the world. You can create temporary access codes that expire automatically. And every entry is logged, so you know exactly when someone arrived and left.
For recurring access (cleaners, dog walkers, family), you create scheduled permissions that only work during specific days and hours. For one-time access (plumber, delivery, friend picking something up), you generate a single-use code that works once and then deactivates.
The key difference from analog solutions: you maintain full control at all times. You can revoke access instantly, see the activity log in real time, and get push notifications when someone enters. You're in charge even when you're not physically there.
How to Set This Up with Nuki
Nuki offers several ways to grant remote access, depending on the situation:
For a one-time visitor, create a single-use PIN code in the Nuki app and text or WhatsApp it to them. They enter the code on the Keypad 2 NFC, the door opens, and the code is immediately deactivated. No app download required on their end.
For someone you trust on an ongoing basis, invite them through the Nuki app. They'll get their own permanent access that you can revoke anytime. If they have the Nuki app, they can use Bluetooth to unlock. If not, set up a recurring PIN code.
For emergencies, you can unlock the door remotely from the Nuki app — one tap, and the door opens. This requires the Nuki Bridge (for WiFi connectivity) or the Smart Lock Pro Pro with Thread/WiFi built in.
All of this works with your existing door. Nuki replaces the cylinder, not the door or the frame. Installation takes 15 minutes.
Security Considerations
The natural concern is: if I can unlock my door from the internet, can someone else? Nuki uses AES-256 end-to-end encryption for all communication between the app and the lock. The lock itself has been certified by AV-TEST, an independent IT security institute. There are no known remote exploits.
Importantly, the lock is primarily local. Bluetooth and Thread connections don't go through the internet. Remote unlock via WiFi/Bridge does use the internet, but with end-to-end encryption — Nuki's servers never see your keys or access codes.
The physical backup key always works, and the lock has no external visible components that signal it's a smart lock. From the outside, your door looks exactly the same.