Leiden University’s housing office lists rents of €425 to €1,200 a month, utilities included, but it cannot guarantee any student a room, and the page says that from spring 2027 degree students can no longer request housing through the university. Non-degree (exchange and study-abroad) students still can. This guide sets out the costs, priority order and deadlines the university publishes, and the other routes it mentions.
Details come from two Leiden University pages, listed under Sources and checked on 29 October 2026. For the city overview, see our Leiden student accommodation guide.
The Leiden University Housing Office
| Question | What the university says |
|---|---|
| Who it is for | New international students (non-Dutch passport holders); not partners or family members |
| Housing fee | €285, paid when you apply |
| Rent | €425 to €1,200 a month including utilities, paid to the housing agency DUWO |
| Up-front payment | DUWO requires a payment covering 3 months’ rent before you sign the tenancy; the page gives no exact amount |
| Contract length | Maximum one year and not extendable; usually 12 months from mid-August or mid-January, or one semester |
| Pets | Not allowed |
Priority order and deadlines
- Priority: exchange students first, then master’s students studying for up to a year, then students on longer programmes.
- Allocation: by the date the fee is received, so pay as soon as you can.
- Notification: 15 June for September starts and 30 November for February starts.
- Cancel or defer: by 1 June (September) or 15 November (February) for a refund or transfer.
- Availability: housing is usually full around February or March for September starts and around October for February starts.
Other routes the university mentions
Leiden University’s housing page says most students find a room through DUWO, one of the largest student housing corporations in the Netherlands, and that other agencies and corporations also offer rooms in or near the city centre. It describes the average cost of a non-furnished room in Leiden as €300 to €750 a month, but gives no date for that figure. It also names Hospi Housing as the biggest homestay platform in the Netherlands: it charges no registration fee, but there is a one-time fee if you find a room. Once you have an address, register at your local town hall as soon as possible; the page says failing to do so can cancel a Dutch residence permit.
What I could not verify
Neither university page gives advice on rental scams, current waiting times for private rooms or neighbourhood rankings, so I have not covered them. 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. Before you commit, read our guide to university halls versus private housing, the checklist of what to look for before you sign and our safety guide.
FAQs about student housing in Leiden
Does Leiden University guarantee housing?
No. The university says rooms are scarce and housing cannot be guaranteed to any student, whatever the length of stay.
How much does a room cost?
Rooms through the housing office cost €425 to €1,200 a month including utilities, plus a €285 housing fee. The university’s general page gives €300 to €750 a month for an average non-furnished room, with no date.
Can degree students use the housing office in spring 2027?
The page says bachelor and master degree students can no longer request housing through the university for spring 2027, while exchange and study-abroad students still can.
Sources
- Leiden University: housing via the Leiden University Housing Office
- Leiden University: housing in Leiden
All checked 29 October 2026.
