How to find student accommodation abroad

The pros, cons, and pitfalls of different housing options, plus tips and useful links

Finding a place to live as a student abroad is often your first real step into adult life — and usually your first time renting independently, where everything from the search to the contract falls on your shoulders. Without preparation, it’s all too easy to end up in an overpriced, uncomfortable flat — or even fall for a scam.

So, what are your options? The classics include student halls, private rentals, flatshares, or living with a host family. Each has its own pros and cons.

Halls offer convenience and a vibrant social scene, but personal space can be limited. Renting a flat gives you freedom, but comes with more responsibility and higher costs. Staying with a host family provides cultural immersion, but also comes with certain boundaries.

The key is to work out what matters most to you. Is your top priority budget? Being close to campus or in the heart of the city? Do you prefer peace and privacy, or a sense of community and shared experiences?

Don’t leave it to chance — plan ahead, ask the right questions, and weigh up your options carefully. After all, finding the right place to live isn’t just about putting a roof over your head — it’s about laying the foundation for your entire experience of studying abroad.

Student Halls of Residence

At most universities, finding student accommodation is fairly straightforward — their official websites usually have a dedicated section for this. You’ll often find it under tabs like “Student Accommodation” or “Living on Campus”. These pages typically include the key details: room types, photos, descriptions of facilities, prices, and, crucially, application deadlines.

But if you really want to know what life in the halls is like, don’t stop at the official site. Check out reviews on Google Maps, and browse student forums or social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Reddit. First-hand experiences from current or former students can be incredibly useful when making your choice.

When it comes to securing a place in student halls, each university has its own process — but in most cases, it all starts with an application.

Here’s how it usually works:

Once you’ve been accepted, you should get access to your student portal or personal account. This will be your base for everything — from handling your visa paperwork to sorting out accommodation.

Look for tabs like “Housing Application”, “Residence Life”, or “Apply for Housing”. There you’ll usually find a downloadable form or a link to the online application.

What you’ll likely need to provide:

And one last — but very important — thing: deadlines. Places in student halls tend to go quickly. Each university has its own cut-off dates, and missing them could mean having to look elsewhere for accommodation. So stay on top of those deadlines!

Renting a Flat

Renting a flat off-campus is often the top choice for students who crave a bit more independence. It might come at a higher price, but in return, you get privacy, freedom, and a space that truly feels like your own.

Where should you start your search?

There are several reliable international platforms designed specifically with students in mind:

HousingAnywhere: A global booking platform where students going abroad for exchanges or internships can sublet their rooms — or find new ones.

Uniplaces: An online marketplace offering thousands of verified rental properties aimed at students.

Erasmusu: A housing portal meets social networks for international students — ideal for connecting with others heading to the same destination.

Each country also has its own local rental websites. Try searching in the local language via Google — that’s often the quickest way to find what’s available. And don’t underestimate the power of social media. Facebook groups and student forums are packed with real-time listings. In many cases, you can even rent directly from landlords — no agents, no extra fees.

If you already know someone living in your destination country — get in touch! A quick message could lead to a spare room, a solid recommendation, or even just some insider advice. Ask around your university’s student network too — often, upper-year students going home are keen to pass on their rooms to someone reliable.

Before you sign anything, read the contract carefully.

Start with the basics:

In some countries, including the UK, landlords may ask for a guarantor — typically a citizen or permanent resident who agrees to pay your rent if you can’t. Unless you have close family or long-term friends in the country, this can be a serious hurdle, as it affects the guarantor’s credit score. If you don’t have one, it’s best to skip these listings and focus on options more suited to international students.

Check whether the flat is furnished or unfurnished — this makes a big difference. Look into the neighbourhood as well: How far is it from campus? Is it safe? Are there shops, buses or trains nearby? A cheap flat in the wrong area can end up being more expensive in the long run.

Before moving in, ask if the property allows official registration. In countries like Germany or the Czech Republic, this is legally required. Without registering your address, you may not be able to apply for a residence permit, open a bank account, or even get health insurance.

Also, double-check the terms for early termination — knowing how to end your tenancy if needed can save you a lot of stress later.

Finally, if possible, wait until you arrive in the country before renting long-term. Seeing the flat in person is the best way to avoid disappointment — and good listings tend to disappear within hours anyway.

Flatshares & Co-living Spaces

Ideal for those who didn’t get a place in student halls — or for anyone keen to move in with friends or classmates.

Sharing a flat might be slightly more expensive than renting a single room, but you get much more than just a roof over your head: evening chats, shared meals, and a built-in support system to help you adjust to life abroad.

If you already have people in mind to live with, the process won’t differ much from a standard flat rental. You’ll split the rent, divide household responsibilities, and decide together whether you’re after a quiet study-focused space or a buzzing social flat.

But what if you’re looking to join a shared home that’s already up and running?

There are platforms that specialise in this kind of setup:

Even Airbnb and Facebook groups sometimes have flatshare-style listings, often with flexible terms.

The application process is usually pretty straightforward and often includes a short questionnaire:

Who are you? What do you do? Why are you interested in co-living?

Some communities might also ask about your hobbies, lifestyle and daily routine — all to match you with like-minded flatmates.

Occasionally, you might be invited for a casual video chat — more of a friendly meet-and-greet than a formal interview — to make sure everyone’s a good fit.

If you’re open to meeting new people and want a ready-made social circle, co-living is more than just a housing option — it’s a lifestyle choice.

Living with a Host Family

If you’re looking for the fastest and most immersive way to settle into life in a new country, staying with a host family could be your best option.

You won’t just be getting a place to live — you’ll often be offered meals, help with laundry, insights into local customs, language practice, and even a bit of sightseeing or social time. It’s both a cultural and practical experience.

There are a few reliable platforms to help you find a host family:

homestay.com: Search by country, view family profiles, and even filter by shared interests.

hostfamily.com: An international site offering more personalised matching and direct communication with families.

Many universities also work with host families. Information about such programmes can usually be found on the university’s website, often under sections like “Student Accommodation” or “Student Life”.

The cost of living with a host family typically ranges from €400 to €800 (or dollars, depending on the country), depending on what’s included. In many cases, this is more affordable than renting a flat or sharing one.

The price often includes breakfast and dinner, and sometimes full board, along with cleaning, utility bills, access to a washing machine and Wi-Fi.

How does it work?

First, you register either on one of the platforms or via a specific university programme. Then, you choose a family based on their profile, or you are matched with one that fits your preferences.

After being matched, you’ll receive confirmation and begin communicating with your host (via email, phone or video chat). Once you agree on the details, you’ll sign the housing agreement and make the necessary payment, which may include a deposit or partial prepayment.

After that, all that’s left is to pack and move in.

Watch Out for Scams

Unfortunately, scams are a reality in the student housing world — especially when you’re searching from abroad. The most common traps are in flat rental ads. Fake photos, unrealistically low prices, and requests for deposits before viewing are major red flags.

Scams in co-living spaces are less common but still possible — usually via fake websites or attempts to convince you to “book” accommodation outside of official platforms.

Scams involving host families are rare, but they can happen if you’re dealing with unofficial sources or listings from unverified websites.

Never, under any circumstances, send money before signing an official agreement.

Be especially cautious with payments made via cryptocurrency or PayPal — these are almost impossible to track or recover.

One of the most common scams involving PayPal in the housing sector goes like this: scammers ask for a deposit via the “send to friend or family” option, claiming it’s quicker and has no fee. But that’s where the danger lies.

Such transfers aren’t covered by PayPal’s buyer protection, as they are treated as personal gifts, not commercial transactions. If you send money this way, you won’t be able to file a complaint or recover your funds — even if the flat doesn’t exist or the “landlord” disappears.

Always ask for a video tour or a video call with the landlord or host. If they refuse or keep making excuses — that’s a big warning sign.

Take a minute to do a reverse image search via Google Images. If the same photos show up in ads for different countries or appear on sketchy websites — it’s probably a scam. Also search the landlord’s name, address, or ad title on Google or Reddit — someone may have already raised concerns.

And remember: if a rental seems too good to be true, the “landlord is away on holiday”, and they’re pressuring you to send money — it’s almost certainly a scam.