"Erasmus accommodation guide: dormitories, rooms, private housing and deposits"
A guide for Erasmus students covering dormitory applications, private rentals, deposits, scam risks and pre-arrival accommodation planning.
Housing is the decision you have to make earliest in Erasmus and the one that can cost you the most. The reason runs both ways: it is the largest single item in the budget and, in some countries, the precondition for everything else. In the Netherlands the BSN depends on an address and the address on a rental contract; in Germany you cannot open a bank account without the Anmeldung.
So delaying housing does not just mean an expensive room — it locks the entire chain.
First decision: university halls or the private market?
University halls are clearly below market almost everywhere and far easier operationally: the contract is standard, the deposit institutional, the fraud risk effectively zero, and the document you need for address registration comes automatically.
The trade-off is two-fold: places are limited and you get little choice of room or location.
The private market gives flexibility — neighbourhood, room type, flatmates — but the contract, the deposit and the entire fraud risk sit with you.
Practical advice: apply to both in parallel. If halls come through you drop the private search; if they do not, your alternative is already running. Waiting only on halls and then hunting for a flat in the final two weeks is the worst case.
Why applying early matters this much
- Hall places are limited and applications typically open two months before term.
- Well-located rooms go in the first days — at some institutions in the first hours.
- In cities like Amsterdam, Munich or Barcelona the private market also tightens at the start of term: the same room costs differently in August and October.
Find the opening date and set an alarm. It is the single action in the whole process that saves the most money.
Real price ranges
| City / country | Single room (monthly) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Krakow | 1,800–2,300 zł (~€420–540) | Bills usually excluded |
| Germany | €400–800 | Varies sharply by city |
| Netherlands | €600–800 | Amsterdam and Utrecht at the top |
Rent alone is not enough data. When calculating the first total payment, add:
- Deposit — usually one to two months' rent, upfront and unavailable until you leave
- First month in advance
- Bills and internet — included or separate? It must be in the contract
- Transport pass or a bicycle (€80–150 second-hand in the Netherlands)
- Temporary accommodation for the first week, in case
For the full picture see the Erasmus budget guide.
The critical detail by country
Netherlands: The sequence starts with housing. Municipal registration (inschrijving) requires a rental contract or written permission from the landlord; an Airbnb usually will not do. The BSN follows that registration. Netherlands guide
Germany: Address registration (Anmeldung) requires a *Wohnungsgeberbestätigung* from the landlord. In cities like Berlin, getting a Bürgeramt appointment is a task in itself. Germany guide
Poland: Halls are a strong option and the market is relatively cheap; always check whether bills are separate. Poland guide
What to look for in the contract
Before sending money, make sure the contract states:
- Monthly rent and what is included
- Deposit amount and the conditions for its return
- Who pays the bills
- Start and end dates
- Notice period — can you leave without penalty when the Erasmus period ends?
- A commitment that the landlord will provide the address registration document
The sixth point matters most: a landlord who refuses it is either renting off the books or does not have a property at all.
Reducing fraud risk
Erasmus students are the favourite target for rental fraud — cannot see the property, do not know the city, in a hurry. The recurring patterns:
- A price clearly below market
- The landlord being "abroad" and unable to show the flat
- An offer to move off the platform
- Irreversible payment methods (Western Union, crypto, gift cards)
- Manufactured urgency
For a full checklist and what to do if it happens, see the rental scams article.
A safe strategy before arrival
If your permanent housing is not settled, booking a hostel for the first week is usually cheaper than signing a contract remotely. During orientation week you can view flats in person, get to know the neighbourhoods and negotiate from a stronger position.
A week in a hostel costs far less than a lost deposit.
Which source to trust
The order is: the host institution's official housing page → platforms the university recommends → general rental sites. Recommended platforms usually verify student contracts.
The fastest way to learn the real price range in your city, and which neighbourhoods suit students, is to ask in that city's room.