Typical Dutch student housing

Student housing in the Netherlands may be different from what you are used to. On this page you can find more information on what you can expect. 

Dutch student housing: What's it like

Dutch universities do not own student housing. Instead, this is offered by private home owners and housing providers. Because of this, student housing is diverse and located all over Utrecht and surrounding towns. For example, the available facilities differ depending on the offer, the number of housemates may range from 0 to 10+, and student houses may be single or mixed gender.

Common types of student housing

Uncommon types of student housing


  • Shared room

    Shared student rooms with two beds are not common in the Netherlands. Students usually rent a private room or private studio.


  • Couples housing

    It is difficult to find student housing as a couple. Student housing (rooms and studios) usually only allow one tenant. 


  • Apartments

    Landlords and housing providers usually prefer to rent out apartments to working professionals, rather than one or more students.

Student housing: practical matters

Some housing matters may be arranged differently in the Netherlands than you are used to, or you may have never lived on your own before. Here are some practical matters you should take into account: