Accommodation
There are still rooms available. Visit
SSH studentenhuisvesting
for more information.
Please select University of Groningen (RUG) in the dropdown menu (NOT University College Groningen).
Finding somewhere to live can be daunting, especially if you are moving to the Netherlands for the first time. Around 10,000 students will all be looking for a room at the same time in Groningen and Leeuwarden so start your search as soon as possible. It is your own responsibility to find a place to live. The University of Groningen does NOT provide accommodation for students. Please check at home in Groningen for available accommodation.
Please do not underestimate the challenge of finding accommodation as it is often a long and stressful process. Therefore, finding accommodation is a priority and you should reserve a room as early as possible. For example, if you are starting your studies in September, we strongly advise that you begin actively looking for a room in April.
Ensure that you have found a room before 1 August if you will be studying in Groningen or Leeuwarden. If you decide to come to Groningen or Leeuwarden without pre-arranged housing, then you are highly likely to find yourself in hotels or hostels, if there is still space. This will involve high costs, inconvenience, and stress. This will likely last for a long period of time, probably months after your arrival. If you find accommodation outside of the city, then make sure you consider the potential extra travel time and travel costs. If you have not found accommodation before 1 August, we strongly advise you not to come to Groningen or Leeuwarden.
Temporary accommodation
Through the housing organisation SSH (Stichting Studenten Huisvesting), a limited amount of temporary housing has been made available for new, international students. Create your SSH account as of the 15th of April. Booking starts on the 2nd of May 2024. There is a limited number of rooms available and it's your own responsibility to register on time.
For more information, please visit the housing platform www.athomeingroningen.com. Further housing opportunities can still be found via roomfinder.athomeingroningen.com.
Below you can find a video with student testimonials about the difficulties they encountered in finding housing:
Hospi Housing is the biggest platform for homestay in the Netherlands. They offer a free-to-use platform with verified hosts and guest families. Hospi Housing does not charge any registration fees, you only pay a one-time fee if you find a room. Before and during your stay they provide personal advice to get you well prepared for your arrival in Groningen. Staying with a host or guest family will give you a soft landing in town and is the perfect way to get in touch with Dutch culture and language.
A useful starting place when searching for housing is www.athomeingroningen.com. This platform was set up by the municipality and educational institutions in the city of Groningen - including the UG - and is intended as a 'one-stop shop' in finding accommodation. As well as a directory of available private sector rooms, the website outlines the housing situation in Groningen, explains (Dutch language) rental terminology and offers advice on how to avoid being scammed online.
Tips on finding accommodation
We urge you to be aware that there are untrustworthy landlords and unreliable room rental agencies out there. A few things to keep in mind:
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Many students will be trying to find a place to live at the beginning of the academic year and during the summer months. It’s therefore wise to start looking for a room as early as possible.
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Always use official websites or companies that you can trace to a physical address.
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The agency costs and rental fees of both commercial agencies and private landlords can be high. Remain critical, visit the room beforehand and always read your contract carefully.
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Be aware of scammers.
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Do not pay anything before you have a written contract and always ask for a receipt of payment.
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If the rent looks too good to be true for the location/type of housing, or the pictures are unidentifiable, you might be looking at something that is not genuine.
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Avoid identity theft: never send a copy of your passport to strangers. If you do share a copy of your passport, make sure to block personal
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If you wish to rent a room in a building that has three or more residents, you should check if the proprietor has the correct permit.
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Do not go to a viewing alone. If possible, take a Dutch speaker with you.
University College accommodation
If you are joining a programme at University College Groningen or University College Fryslân - you will be living residentially with your classmates. Here you will get your own studio with a private kitchen, bathroom, living space and bedroom and only the 'common area' is shared with classmates to study together or socialize. We recommend contacting your faculty if you have any questions about your stay.
Ben je een Nederlandse studiekiezer? Ga dan naar onze pagina's voor Nederlandse studenten.
Last modified: | 20 September 2024 4.01 p.m. |