Housing
Student housing procedures and norms vary greatly from country to country. In the Netherlands, most universities do not have their own dormitories and students generally arrange their own accommodation. Find out how you can arrange your student housing. Make sure to start early! Affordable rooms are in short supply.
Arranging student housing
Like many universities in the Netherlands, Leiden University does not have a central campus or student dormitories. Instead, our faculties are spread throughout the cities of Leiden and The Hague and students live in accommodation rented via housing organisations and landlords.
In general, students are expected to arrange their own housing. However, for new international students, Leiden University reserves a limited number of rooms each year for early applicants. The number of housing applications always greatly exceeds the number of rooms available, so it is essential to request housing early. Priority is given to short-stay students.
Applying for housing via Leiden University? New priority system fall 2026 onwards
For students joining us from the fall semester (September) 2026 onwards, there is a new priority system in place for housing via Leiden University. Priority will be given to exchange students, followed by students joining us for max. one year. See Housing via Leiden University. This applies to all housing applications submitted on or after 1 November 2025.
Steps to take
Studying for max. one year (exchange and one-year Master)
1. Request housing via Leiden University
Submit your housing request and pay the fee as soon as you can! Accommodation is offered on a first-come first-served basis according to the date you pay your housing fee. Once the number of housing applications exceeds the number of rooms available, we will close applications.
2. Take action to find housing yourself
Make sure you have a backup in case you miss out on housing via Leiden University. For example, register with local housing organisations. Registration fees are generally inexpensive and the earlier you register, the greater your chance of getting a room by the start of the semester.
Studying longer than one year (Bachelor and two-year Master)
1. Take action to find housing yourself
As priority for university housing is given to short-stay students, you are highly advised to arrange housing yourself. For example, register with local housing organisations. Registration fees are generally inexpensive and the earlier you register, the greater your chance of getting a room by the start of the semester.
2. Optional: request housing via Leiden University
Although you do not have priority for university housing, you are of course welcome to try. But be aware that you will only be offered a room if there are any remaining once all short-stay students have been housed. It is therefore essential that you also look for housing yourself.
Note: different procedures apply for students joining the Liberal Arts & Sciences: Global Challenges programme at Leiden University College (LUC) - see below.
Exception: Leiden University College, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Global Challenges
Are you are about to join the Liberal Arts & Sciences: Global Challenges programme at Leiden University College, The Hague (LUC) as a full-time student? If so, you do not need to arrange your own housing. Instead, you will become part of the LUC community and live alongside your fellow students in the Anna van Bueren building for the first two years of your studies.
Watch our housing webinar for practical tips
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Watch the video on the original website orCan't find housing?
Finding accommodation in Leiden or The Hague can be difficult. If you haven't found a place to live before leaving home, we strongly advise you not to come to Leiden University. Consider deferring your studies to allow yourself more time to find a place to stay.
Dutch address for town hall registration
Soon after arrival you must register at your local town hall for which you will need an official Dutch address. For student residence permit holders this is particularly important as failure to do so can result in the cancellation of your permit. It is therefore essential that you start your house hunt early!
Rent benefit for students (huurtoeslag)
For some accommodation you may be entitled to claim rent benefit (huurtoeslag in Dutch). This is a reimbursement of part of your rental costs each month. See the Dutch Tax Authority website for details. If you need assistance or advice about rent benefit, contact the Leidse Rechtswinkel (Leiden free legal aid centre) or the JIP (The Hague youth information point).
