Leiden University’s housing office quotes rents of €425 to €1,200 a month including utilities, but it says housing cannot be guaranteed to any student, and bachelor’s and two-year master’s students have only a small chance of a place. This guide sets out how the housing office works, the fees and deadlines it publishes, and what I could not verify.
Details come from Leiden University’s housing office page, checked on 21 October 2026. The page gives no year for its rent range, so confirm every figure for your intake before you pay.
Cost at a glance: what to add up
Before you compare the prices on this page, check what each figure actually covers:
- Rent period: per week, month or semester, and per person or per room.
- What is included: utilities, internet, contents insurance and any meal plan.
- One-off costs: deposit, application or booking fee, and any first-month payment.
- Getting to campus: travel passes, or the extra cost of living further out.
- Currency: prices here are in the local currency. Convert them at your bank’s current rate and add the transfer fee. Rates change daily, so we do not publish rupee figures.
Anything we could not confirm from an official source is flagged on this page as “could not verify”, so read those notes before you rely on a figure.
The Leiden University Housing Office
| Item | What the university says |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | New international students joining Leiden, meaning non-Dutch passport holders. Partners and family members are not covered |
| Priority order | Exchange students first, then master’s students on programmes of one year at most, then longer programmes (bachelor’s and two-year master’s) |
| Housing fee | €285, paid when you apply. Refundable only if you cancel or defer before the deadline, or if no housing is offered |
| Rent | €425 to €1,200 a month including utilities (no year stated) |
| Upfront payment | The page mentions no deposit, but says DUWO requires an initial payment that includes three months’ rent before you sign |
| Contract | Maximum one year and not extendable. Typically 12 months from mid-August or mid-January, or one semester |
Dates and rules to know
- Timing: housing usually fills around February or March for September starts and in October for February starts. Places go in order of the date your fee is received.
- Results: you hear whether you applied in time by 15 June for September starts or 30 November for February starts.
- Cancelling: cancel or defer by 1 June (September) or 15 November (February) for a refund or transfer. Cancelling your studies in uSis does not cancel your housing, so contact the housing office too.
- Spring 2027: the page says housing is full for degree students. Non-degree exchange applications were still open when I checked.
- Pets: not allowed.
Students with a disability should contact the Housing Officer well before 1 May (September) or 15 October (February). Because long programmes come last in the priority order, the page advises those students to find their own housing.
Housing office or private room?
| Question | Leiden Housing Office (DUWO) | Private room |
|---|---|---|
| Chance of a place | Not guaranteed, with short stays prioritised | Open market, so you compete with other searchers |
| Rent | €425 to €1,200 including utilities (year not stated) | I could not verify Leiden private rents, so check current listings |
| Term | One year at most, not extendable | Set by the landlord, so read the term and exit rules |
I have not ranked neighbourhoods or listed private blocks, because I could not verify prices or area details against reliable sources. The Kamernet and Argos reports I checked give no Leiden figure. If you rent privately, view the room in person or on a live video call, get a written contract and never pay before you have one. If you are comparing Dutch cities, see our guides to Rotterdam, Groningen and Utrecht, or browse all student accommodation in the Netherlands.
Talk to us about your budget and city
Not sure which option suits you or your family? Send us your city, budget and room type, and we will point you to the right guide and the next steps to check. Students and parents are both welcome to ask.
FAQs about student accommodation in Leiden
Does Leiden University guarantee housing?
No. The page says housing cannot be guaranteed to any student, regardless of length of stay.
How much is the housing fee?
€285, paid when you apply. It is refundable only if you cancel or defer on time or if no housing is offered.
How long can I stay in university housing?
Up to one year, with no extension. Contracts are usually 12 months or one semester.
Sources
All checked 21 October 2026.
