A single room in Bologna costs €585 a month on average, down 7.5 percent on a year earlier, according to Immobiliare.it figures reported in August 2026, and ER.GO residence places are awarded through a yearly call that excludes exchange students. This guide sets out the verified figures, the help for non-EU students and what I could not confirm.
Details come from the University of Bologna, L’Espresso and Money.it, checked on 21 October 2026. The rent figures are media reports of an Immobiliare.it Insights report that I could not open myself. The Unibo page carries no date, so confirm everything for your intake before you pay.
ER.GO residences
- Where: several ER.GO residences in Bologna city centre and suburbs, plus residences in Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini.
- Who can apply: students enrolling in degree programmes through an ER.GO call. The page says the call is not open to exchange students, and University of Bologna students must meet merit and income requirements.
- Short stays: places in ER.GO residences are offered at the full rate, with no figure given.
The page lists no residence rents and no call dates. Check er-go.it for the current call.
What a room costs
L’Espresso (11 August 2026) and Money.it (3 September 2026), both citing Immobiliare.it, give an average single-room rent in Bologna of €585 a month. L’Espresso says the figure fell 7.5 percent in a year, while national room prices fell 6.2 percent. The articles do not state the data period.
The university also lists help with rent. It describes 600 grants of €1,000 each for 2025/26 rent (applications closed 27 November 2025) and a national housing allowance whose 2025/26 call closed on 24 July 2026, with the amount not yet set and capped at the rent you actually paid.
Private housing and non-EU students
- Vetrina Alloggi: a private rental noticeboard run by the university and ER.GO, which check listing information. They are not responsible for tenancy agreements made through it.
- SAIS: a free service that helps international students find housing and issues the accommodation certificate needed for non-EU entry visas. The university says it is not responsible for private operators, SAIS included.
- Tenancy registration: non-EU students need proof of accommodation to apply for a residence permit, and registering the tenancy agreement protects your rights. The university says the Italian Revenue Agency can help with registration.
- When to search: as early as possible, and consider commute times, since suburban areas may be more convenient.
ER.GO residence or private room?
| Question | ER.GO residence | Private room |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | I could not verify residence rents, so check the call | €585 average single room |
| Access | Yearly call, not open to exchange students | Open market, with Vetrina Alloggi and SAIS as aids |
| Paperwork | Set by the call | Register the tenancy, which non-EU students need for a permit |
I have not ranked neighbourhoods or listed private blocks, because I could not verify prices or area details against reliable sources. View any room in person or on a live video call, and never pay before you have a written contract. For other Italian cities, see our guides to Rome, Milan and Florence, or browse all student accommodation in Italy.
FAQs about student accommodation in Bologna
How much does a student room cost in Bologna?
The reported average single-room rent is €585 a month, down 7.5 percent in a year.
Can exchange students apply for an ER.GO place?
No. The page says the call is for students enrolling in degree programmes, not exchange students.
Do I need proof of accommodation for a visa?
The university says non-EU students need proof of accommodation to apply for a residence permit, and SAIS issues an accommodation certificate for entry visas.
Sources
- University of Bologna: housing and residences
- L’Espresso: student rents, 11 August 2026
- Money.it: student room rents in 2026
All checked 21 October 2026.
