Student housing
Student housing in Belgium comes with its own terms and setup, and it can look quite different from what you are used to back home. Once you know the main types of housing and where to search, finding a room becomes far more manageable.
This page explains the types of student housing available, where to look, and what to check before you sign anything.
Overview
Which option suits you best depends on your budget, how much you value privacy, and whether your institution offers housing directly. Starting your search early matters just as much as the type of housing you choose, since good rooms near campus tend to go quickly.
Types of student housing
- A kot - a small private room, often in a shared house with other students, and the most common form of student housing in Belgium
- Student residences - halls or buildings run either by your institution or by a private student housing provider, usually with private or shared kitchen and bathroom facilities
- Shared housing or co-living - renting a full house or apartment together with other students
- Homestay - living with a local host family, less common than the other options but sometimes arranged through your institution
Where to look
- Your institution's student housing office, if it has one, often keeps a list of vetted landlords and available kot
- Dedicated student housing platforms, which list rooms specifically aimed at students rather than the general rental market
- The general rental market - our Finding a home in West Flanders page covers this in more depth, including the platforms and cities to consider
What to check before signing
- Whether the price includes utilities, wifi and furnishings, or whether these come on top of the rent
- Whether the contract length matches your academic year, since some contracts run longer than a single term
- Whether a deposit is required and how it will be returned - our Housing category covers deposit rules and the plaatsbeschrijving (property inspection report) in more detail
- The actual living conditions, ideally seen in person or over a video call before you commit to anything
Temporary accommodation for your first weeks
If your permanent housing is not confirmed by the time you arrive, book short-term accommodation, such as a student hostel or short-stay rental, so you have somewhere to stay while you finalise a longer-term option. Ask your institution's housing office as well, since some keep a short list of temporary options for exactly this situation.
Good to know: start looking for student housing as early as you can. Rooms close to campus in West Flanders tend to fill up quickly in the months before the academic year starts, so an early search gives you far more choice than waiting until the last minute.
Sources
- Housing in Flanders
