How to Find Student Housing in Amsterdam in 2025

Each year, thousands of new international students arrive in Amsterdam for their Bachelor's or Master's degrees, and all of them need a place to stay. Universities often don't provide student accommodation in Amsterdam, which leaves many newcomers searching on their own. Add to that the large number of Erasmus exchange students, interns, and expats moving to Amsterdam for work at international companies, and you'll see why finding student housing in Amsterdam in 2025 is such a challenge.

Before you arrive & What you need to know

The best first step is to ask your university what housing options they can recommend before you move abroad. Some universities have connections with housing providers or platforms that are easier to access. They can also connect you with student organizations such as ESN Amsterdam.

It's crucial to start your housing search as soon as you receive your acceptance letter. On average, it takes about four months to secure a room in Amsterdam.

Also, make sure you know what your university requires for enrollment - usually, this includes official registration at your address. Not every landlord allows registration, so check this carefully before signing anything.

Where to look for student housing in Amsterdam?

There are several platforms where you can search for housing:

Be aware that many of these platforms offer long-term rentals and often include housing with higher prices. Rental agencies may also help, but they usually prefer clients who want to rent for a year or more.

Join Facebook groups

Another way to search is through Facebook housing groups, but you need to be careful - there are many scammers.

Here are some groups worth checking out:

You can also look for country-specific groups, such as:

👉 Tip: Check these groups daily and act fast. Good rooms are usually gone within hours.

How to Avoid Housing Scams in Amsterdam

Never pay before signing a contract and seeing the room
Check if the landlord can register you at the address
Avoid "too good to be true" deals
Check the poster's profile (does it look legit?)
Use trusted platforms or tools (like StayScout) that reduce scam risk

Rental alert platforms

Instead of refreshing listings all day, you can also use platforms that send you rental alerts. These notify you as soon as a room matching your criteria is posted.

Some options include:

StayScout - Search platform & Instant alerts from Facebook groups
Stekkies - Email alerts from paid and free rental websites
RentSlam - E-mail, telegram, or mobile app alerts from paid and free rental websites

With alerts, you'll be among the first to react - which makes a big difference in a city as competitive as Amsterdam.

FAQs about Student Housing in Amsterdam

Q1: How much does student housing in Amsterdam cost in 2025?
The average is 800–1200/month for a room, depending on area.

Q2: When should I start looking for housing as a student in Amsterdam?
At least 3–4 months before your semester starts.

Q3: Can Erasmus students find housing easily in Amsterdam?
It's competitive, but using alerts and trusted platforms will give you an advantage.