Finding a place to live in Rotterdam can be a challenge, especially if you are coming from abroad. These 6 steps will guide you through the process and help you arrange your stay in the city, step by step.
In the Netherlands, student housing is not arranged for you by the university, so it’s up to you to find a place to live. We feel obliged to inform you that there is an ongoing dramatic shortage of such accommodation in the city and in the surrounds of Rotterdam. There is a nationwide housing shortage, which means higher prices and a lot of competition, especially for student rooms.
We therefore strongly advise you to start your housing search on time, at least 3 months before arrival in Rotterdam, and ensure that you have secured accommodation before you travel to the Netherlands.
Although we see it as our responsibility to help out our international students the best way we can in securing housing, Dutch law does not allow us to use our budget to build our own student housing. We therefore depend on third parties and we work together with various accommodation providers and reserve rooms with them to offer to our students.
Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) has approximately 1200 reserved rooms at different providers, covering about 25% of the yearly incoming international Bachelor, (Pre-)Master, and exchange students.
The reserved housing is only enough for roughly 25% of our international students, this means that most of you will have to find your room through other channels. Other platforms where the university is not involved are part of what we call the private market.
This includes options you will find on websites, rental agencies, or social media platforms that are not affiliated with the university.
Tip: Send out as many enquiries as you can. Did you find 20 suitable offers? Reach out to them all!
If you are considering social housing, keep in mind that in the Netherlands, rooms are usually allocated based on how long you have been registered. That’s why we strongly recommend registering with Stadswonen Rotterdam and SSH as soon as you’ve decided to study at EUR. The waiting time is often more than 15 months, so while it may not help for your first year, it could definitely increase your chances for your second year.
- Be flexible: with a housing shortage across the Netherlands, it's important to stay open-minded. Try not to be too selective, your first room doesn’t have to be perfect. The most important thing is to secure a place before you arrive. Once you’re settled in Rotterdam, you can always keep looking for something that suits you better.
- Shared housing is very common: In most student accommodations, you’ll share a flat with others. That means you’ll have your own bedroom, but share the kitchen, bathroom, and living spaces. Mixed-gender housing is very common in the Netherlands. If you prefer not to live in a mixed setting, make sure to mention that during your application.
- Budgetting is key: Housing in Rotterdam is not cheap. You can expect to pay between €700 and €1000 per month, depending on the location and type of accommodation. Utilities (like electricity, water, gas, and municipal taxes) are not always included in the rent, so factor those into your budget. Your monthly expenses will vary based on your lifestyle, so we strongly recommend you to make a budget plan. Also check out our website regarding costs of living!
- Getting around the city: Rotterdam may be a big city, but public transportation makes it easy to get around. Most places are within 30 minutes by metro, tram, bus, or bike, so don’t worry if your housing isn’t right next to campus.
Be aware of the fact that you might encounter frauds online. Especially for students who look for accommodation whilst still being abroad, keep your eyes and ears open and use legit platforms to complete your search.
If you have any doubts concerning your rental agreement, strange fees or the landlord’s behaviour, please reach out to us via studenthousing@eur.nl.
- Before signing anything, don’t forget to go over the legal aspects about what to look for in a contract. Getting into the legal aspects of renting accommodation is not likely to be anyone’s favourite pastime. We do, however, recommend you acquaint yourself with this topic beforehand. That way, you will know what to expect and will be able to avoid unnecessary bills or disagreements when you leave.
- Are you renting an unfurnished room? Then check our tips on furnishing your room!
