Living in Ghent or Leuven

Most students studying in Belgium rent a private room. If you are staying in Belgium for a whole academic year, we strongly advise you to look for a room on the private market.

We advise you to contact your Programme Coordinator before you arrive in Belgium, so she can arrange initial temporary housing. We can then help you look for a permanent place to live in a more comfortable way.

We advise you to come two weeks prior to the start of classes as you will need time to adjust and to find your way around Ghent / Leuven. The best time of year to start looking for housing is July - August.

For initial accommodation at a youth hostel or hotel, download our hotel list here (pdf, 46 kB).

  • I could never expect that I would find the definition of ‘filoxenia’ in any other country but Greece.

    Christos Maniakis , Greece

Accommodation prices

Accommodation prices range from 250 euros to 620 euros per month for a student apartment. Before moving into your room or apartment you will have to pay, in addition to the first month's rent, a security deposit of two or three times the monthly rent. Be sure to have the required amount available upon your arrival.

Regarding the deposit: note that you may not simply withhold the last month's rent and inform the landlord that this sum should be deducted from the deposit. This is considered a breach of contract and you could be subject to legal action. The deposit will be returned to you when you return your keys and if no damage is assessed.

Try these links to find a place to live:

Getting around

We will provide a quick definition of the various types of accommodation, with price indication, so that you can get around and find housing more easily:

Term

Definition

Average price
Kamer

A room usually furnished with a bed, cupboard, study table, possibly a sink and with curtains. The bathroom and kitchen will be shared by several tenants.

250 euros
Studio

A room that includes a bathroom and a small kitchen. Usually furnished as above.

300 - 400 euros
Duplex

Similar to a studio, but a duplex consists of two storeys.

300 - 400 euros
Apartement

Apartment or Flat: includes a living room, kitchen, bathroom and 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms. May or may not be furnished.

+ 500 euros
Te Huur

For rent
Te koop

For sale

Once you have a permanent address in Belgium, you will have to register at the Municipality to obtain a residence permit valid for one year.

Living Expenses

Although the cost of living largely depends on the student's lifestyle, these costs range from 6,000 to 10,000 euro for the duration of the programme (based on estimates from 2008-2009 graduates).

An average monthly budget consists of:

Housing

350 euro

Electricity, gas and water

40 euro

Food

250 euro

Miscellaneous (trips, clothing, laundry,…)

160 euro

Total: about 800 euro per month