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 in April 2024. You can watch the recording of the webinar here. 

We also 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 (April 2024). 

I will be a guest/ PhD at VU Amsterdam. How can I apply for housing?
You will receive an application form by e-mail after your onboarding has been initiated. 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 our housing service four months before your arrival date. Please note that you will be placed on our waiting list. 

What is the difference between Short Stay and Long Stay housing?
Short Stay housing has a maximum rental period of 6 months. Short Stay rooms are available for all VU Amsterdam guests/ visitors/ PhD students, while Long Stay housing (max. rent 5 years) is only available for 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 with your partner. However, there we do have a limited number of double studios available (bigger studios with a double bed) for couples. You can specify your preference for a single or double studio in our application form. 

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 can live with someone else in a single studio. They will not be allowed to register at the address. 

Do you have temporary accommodation for families with kids?
No, we do not have short-term or long-term 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. Please note that we cannot guarantee to make you an offer.  

How much is the VU Amsterdam housing fee?
We charge a €250 one-time housing fee once we have been able to find a short-term accommodation for you. You will receive more information about it when we confirm your accommodation. For PhD students receiving a long-term housing offer, the one-time housing fee is €500. 

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 be refunded only if you cancel your housing within the one-month notice period before the start of your rental contract.

How much do I need to pay before arrival?
First you need to pay the VU Amsterdam housing fee. Once you have sent the VU Amsterdam accommodation department 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 for 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 inform us about your budget limitations, but please reconsider coming to the Netherlands with a low budget, as the living costs in the Netherlands are generally quite high.

Where can I pick up my keys?
If you receive housing via DUWO: You can pick up your keys at the DUWO office. Their address is Uilenstede 108, Amstelveen.  

If you receive housing from another housing provider: they will inform you of what to do next. 

When can I get my keys?
DUWO is open on Monday from 8.30 to 17.00 and Tuesday-Friday from 12.00 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 8.30 onwards.  

If you receive housing from another housing provider: they will inform you of what to do next. 

Can I extend my contract?
No, extensions are unfortunately not possible.

Can I shorten my contract?Yes, after your arrival you can decide to shorten your contract. You may do so with a full one month notice time per the 15th of the month or per the last day of the month. In that case, please notify us by sending us an email at staffaccommodation@vu.nl.

Can I terminate my rental contract?
Yes, you can terminate your rental contract. You may do so with a full one month notice time per the 15th of the month or per the last day of the month. In that case, please notify us by sending us an email at staffaccommodation@vu.nl.

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.