The University of Groningen does not provide accommodation, but SSH Short Stay offers a limited number of furnished rooms for new international students at €700 to €900 a month including utilities, and the Kamernet Rent Report puts the median room in the city at €580. This guide sets out the SSH route, the upfront costs and what I could not verify.
Details come from the University of Groningen and the Kamernet Rent Report, checked on 21 October 2026. The university page gives no year for its dates and rents, so confirm them 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 Rates change daily, so we do not publish rupee figures.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.
SSH Short Stay
| Item | What the university page says |
|---|---|
| What it is | A non-profit housing corporation offering furnished single, double or studio rooms for a maximum of one year, allocated first come, first served |
| Rent | €700 to €900 a month including utilities, furniture and internet. The page says to check the SSH site for current prices |
| Upfront cost | A €113 reservation fee plus first and last month’s rent, paid within 24 hours by Mastercard or Visa |
| Eligibility | New international students with an offer from the university. PhD students are excluded except for ultra-short stays |
| Cancelling | Possible only within a limited time after booking. After the contract starts, early termination is allowed only in specific personal circumstances |
Dates on the page (no year stated)
- September start: SSH registration on 9 April, with degree students able to reserve from 29 April and exchange students from 3 June. The page suggests starting your search around April and securing a room before 1 August.
- February start: degree students register on 21 October at 10:00 and booking starts on 11 November at 10:00.
Other options on the page are private rentals through agencies, social media or platforms such as At Home in Groningen, the Hospi Housing homestay service, and private studios for University College Groningen and University College Fryslân students, who are housed as part of their programme.
Private rooms
The Kamernet Rent Report for Q1 2026 (published 21 May 2026) gives a Groningen median room rent of €580 a month, up 12.6 percent on a year earlier, against a national average of €660. The NL Times report on rooms above the legal limit does not cover Groningen, so I cannot say how many local adverts exceed it.
The university warns against paying anything before you have seen the room in person and received your keys, never paying without a written contract and a receipt, and never sending a full passport copy to strangers. It also tells you to check that the landlord of a building with three or more tenants holds the correct rental permit.
SSH Short Stay or private room?
| Question | SSH Short Stay | Private room |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | €700 to €900 including utilities | €580 median in Q1 2026, with bills to check |
| Upfront cost | €113 fee plus first and last month’s rent | Ask what deposit applies and get it in writing |
| Term | One year at most | 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. If you are comparing Dutch cities, see our guides to Rotterdam, Leiden 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 Groningen
Does the University of Groningen provide housing?
No. Only University College Groningen and University College Fryslân students are housed as part of their programme.
How much does SSH Short Stay cost?
€700 to €900 a month including utilities, furniture and internet, plus a €113 reservation fee and first and last month’s rent up front.
When should I start looking?
For a September start the page suggests around April, aiming to secure a room before 1 August.
Sources
All checked 21 October 2026.
