Accommodation FAQs

Is it possible to reserve a specific room?
No, it is not possible to reserve a specific room.

Can I live on the campus?
In Amsterdam, the whole city is your campus! VU Amsterdam doesn’t have one campus where all rooms are located. Our rooms are located within reachable distance of the university by bike or public transport. Check the 9292 route planner (for public transport) or Google Maps to find your way in Amsterdam.

What is the difference between our booking system and Room.nl?
We work with the booking system ROOM University Housing. ROOM.nl is a separate platform and you are able to apply on ROOM.nl by yourself, but in this case you will not find the rooms the university offers. This is only possible once you register through our accommodation services. 

I did not apply in time, can you still help me?
We will try our utmost best to accommodate students that are in need of accommodation. However it is not possible to guarantee housing, due to the shortages of accommodation. The earlier you apply, the better the chances are of getting a room (first come, first serve).

I applied but have not received further information yet, what to do?
Once you have paid the housing fee, we will aim to contact you within two weeks with a confirmation e-mail that we have received your housing application and housing fee. If you have not received a confirmation within a few weeks, you can contact studentaccommodation@vu.nl. 

Is there a deadline to apply for housing?
There is no deadline to apply for housing, however with the current housing situation, we can’t guarantee the availability of rooms. 

Does VU Amsterdam arrange student housing for all international students? 
It is not possible to accommodate all international students, as VU Amsterdam can only offer a limited number of rooms. This comes down to roughly half of the first year international students. Amsterdam remains a very popular city and affordable housing is difficult to obtain. Therefore, we encourage everyone to start in time, and look for accommodation independently, even if you already applied for the VU Amsterdam housing service.

Is the first month rent or any other costs included in the housing fee?
The housing fee does not include the first rent payment or any other costs. The housing fee is charged to cover our costs in providing accommodation services to international students.

Can I view any of the locations you offer?
Due to privacy reasons, we do not arrange viewings of the rooms. 

What is included in the rent?
Services costs (water, electricity, cable internet etc.) are included in the rental price. It depends on the housing provider whether utilities (e.g. kitchen package, bed linen) are included. You can find this in your rental contract. 

Can I extend my contract?
No, our rental contracts have a fixed start and end date. 

Can I end my contract earlier if my study programme ends in June?
As mentioned, we work with a fixed start and end date. It is not possible to terminate your contract earlier if your study programme ends earlier. 

The contract start date differs from my academic start date, can I come earlier?
It is only possible to move in once your rental contract starts. If you would like to come to Amsterdam earlier, you will have to find accommodation individually. 

How do I get a housing permit?
For the student housing location De Flier, it is mandatory to obtain a housing permit from the municipality. You comply with this if you have a (study) permit/visa and earn less than €50,000 a year. After signing the rental agreement, this permit must be applied for directly with the municipality of Amsterdam. Without this permit, it is not possible to continue living in this complex. 

What should I do about issues with roommates?
If you are experiencing issues with your roommates, and you cannot come to a solution together. You can contact a student counsellor for help and advice. If you are situated in BOLD or Uilenstede you can contact one of the Resident Assistants in your building.

What should I do about personal issues? 
If you are dealing with personal or mental issues, it is important to ask for help. We opened a student wellbeing point where you can talk with fellow peers about your personal situation. Please have a look at the Student wellbeing webpage. You can also reach out to a student general counselor.

How do I know when someone scams me?
When searching for a room independently, it’s important that you use your common sense. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is! You can find tips on avoiding housing scams in Amsterdam on the website of Iamsterdam. 

Can I have a pet in my student room?
No, pets are not allowed. If you have a medical reason for bringing a pet, please contact studentaccommodation@vu.nl.

I require a room equipped for special needs, what should I do?
Please contact us via e-mail studentaccommodation@vu.nl should you require a room equipped for special needs.

How long is the waiting list/ what is my position on the waiting list?
We will not disclose positions on the waiting list, as the waiting list is subject to change. 

We hosted a webinar for incoming Bachelor and Master students on 20 April 2023, 12:00PM (CET). You can watch the recording of the webinar here. 

On 19 April 2022, 12:00PM (CET) we hosted a webinar about the Dutch housing market, IO housing service and we have answered frequently asked questions live during the Q&A with experiences and knowledge from current students. Please watch the recording of this webinar here. 

The International Office of VU Accommodation supports with arranging accommodation, but unfortunately, we can only offer rooms to a maximum of 35% of all incoming bachelor and master students. We work on a first-come, first-served basis and are currently at full capacity; we received more housing applications than the number of available rooms. This means that unfortunately, we are fully booked now.

We understand that you all have questions and want to know what the consequences are. Below we answer the most frequently asked questions:

I applied already for housing in an early stage, when can I expect to hear anything?

If you applied and paid the housing fee between October 2022 and March 2023, we will most probably be able to offer you accommodation.

We will create multiple groups based on your position in the housing queue to enter the booking system. Students who paid in October will have the first choice. You must be aware that it might not be possible to book your favourite room if you are not in the first group. We will start inviting students to book a room in the system in June. You will be granted access to the system before the booking period starts to check the available rooms.

What can I do myself if I did not apply for housing yet or applied after March 2023?

We advise you to look for a room independently. Please look at our website for tips and tricks on finding your own housing.

Also, watch the pre-recorded webinar. All information on webinars, housing in Amsterdam, and how to avoid scamming can be found on our website.

Can I still expect housing via VU Amsterdam if I am on the waiting list?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to offer you accommodation.

However, we can still receive cancellations from students who are not able to study at VU Amsterdam. These rooms will be allocated based on your position on the waiting list. Please note, we cannot disclose any information about waiting list positions.

What is the refund policy of the housing fee?

A refund can only be given if you withdraw your housing application before the 1st of July, or if we cannot offer you accommodation at all. We also cannot guarantee any availability within your budget or preferences. Please send us an email to studentaccommodation@vu.nl if you want to cancel your housing application.

Our advice for students who need to find housing independently.

If you do not have a room before the 1st of August 2023, we advise you not to come to Amsterdam as it is very challenging to find housing due to the tight housing market in Amsterdam.

More information?

Please watch the pre-recorded webinar here. You can find additional information about accommodation on this page. 

I will be a guest/ PhD at VU Amsterdam. How can I apply for housing?
You will receive an application form by e-mail. You can only apply for accommodation arranged via VU Amsterdam if your nationality is from outside the Netherlands.

When should I apply for housing?
We advise guests to apply for housing as soon as possible (4  6 motonths before the start date of your contract) Please note that you will always be placed on the waiting list.

What is the difference between Short Stay and Long Stay housing?
Short Stay housing has a maximum rental period of 12 months. Short Stay rooms are available for VU Asterdam mguests/ visitors/ PhD students, while Long Stay housing (max. rent 5 years) is only meant for the PhD students who are taking their doctoral degree at VU Amsterdam.

Can I apply for both short stay and long stay housing?
We do not have a separate application for short stay and long stay due to the extremely limited number of long stay options. PhDs can fill out the application form with their expected end date of the PhD to indicate they are interested in long stay options. This is not a guarantee however, as we can only house a few PhDs in long stay apartments per year.

What is the difference between single and double studio?
Most of the studios that we offer are single ones. Therefore it is not allowed to live there with your partner. However, there is a number of double studios available (bigger studios with a double bed). Those are only meant for couples. Note: there is very limited availability for these types of studios.

Can my partner stay with me in my single studio?
Single studios are meant for one person only. Obviously, short visits are allowed; however, this does not mean that you could live with someone else in the single studio. They will not be allowed to register on the address.

Do you have temporary accomodation for families with kids?
No, we do not have housing available for families with children.

When will Short Stay accommodation be offered to me?
We aim to offer you a room by e-mail two months before your arrival date.


Can I choose the room by myself?
On the application form you are asked to indicate your preferences. Based on this information we will do our best to assign you the room that matches your expectations, however, we cannot guarantee that we can place you in your preferred option. 

How much is the VU Amsterdam housing fee?
For rental periods less than 6 months, we charge a €250 housing fee. For rental periods that are longer than 6 months and up till 12 months, we charge a €500 housing fee. This fee is only charged once we have been able to find accommodation for you. You will receive more information about it when we confirm your accommodation. For PhD students, the housing fee is €500 for the complete period of the rental contract.

The housing corporation sent me an invoice for the administration fee. However, I have already paid the housing fee to VU Amsterdam. Are these fees the same?
No, these are two separate payments. The VU Amsterdam housing fee is paid to the university, the administration fee it paid to the housing corporation.

Is the housing fee actually a deposit? Will I get it back?
No, you will not receive the housing fee back. Your housing fee will only be refunded if you cancel your housing before the one month notice period.

How much do I need to pay before arrival?
First you need to pay the VU Amsterdam housing fee. Once you sent the VU Amsterdam accommodation department a proof of payment, we will upload your personal details in the portal of the housing corporation and they will send you an email regarding the first payment. You will be asked to pay the administration fee as well as the rent of 1 month.

I cannot afford guest housing. Can I apply for the student room?
Student rooms are meant for students only and most of the time they are fully booked. You can always indicate your budget limitations.

Where can I pick up my keys?
If you received housing via DUWO: IYou can pick up your keys at the DUWO office. Their address is Uilenstede 108, Amstelveen. If you recieved housing from another provider, they will inform you of what to do next.

When can I get my keys?
DUWO is open on Monday from 13.00 to 17.00 and Tuesday-Friday from 09.00 to 17.00. If you arrive during the weekend, you will have to book an additional hotel/ hostel room. Please note that your contract starts on the 1st or 16th of the month. If this is during the weekend, you can pick up your keys at the DUWO office on Monday from 13.00 onwards. 

Can I extend my contract?
Yes, it is possible to extend your Short Stay rental agreement, if you have not signed a contract for 12 months yet. Short Stay housing has a maximum rental period of 12 months. Please let us know at least three months in advance.

Can I shorten my contract?
Yes, after your arrival you can decide to shorten your contract and that there is a one month notice period. Please, contact accommodation@vu.nl at least one month in advance.

Can I terminate my rental contract?
Yes, you can terminate your rental contract with a one month notice.

Can I keep pets in my room?
No, it is not allowed to have pets in your studio/apartment.

Am I allowed to sublet my room/apartment via AirBnB or similar platforms?
No, this is not allowed. The housing corporations standard policy upon discovery is immediate termination of the tenancy agreement. We and the housing corporations will impose a zero tolerance policy. So if you are caught in subletting your apartment via AirBnB or similar platforms, your tenancy agreement will  be terminated and a fine will be imposed.