Exchange students

Exchange students are always referred to the private housing market for permanent accommodation since they are not eligible for accommodation in subsidized university residences. For assistance, information and suitable addresses, exchange students are welcome to visit the Housing Service.

The only housing arrangement exchange students can make prior to their arrival in Leuven is to reserve guesthousing. Once in Leuven, exchange students are welcome to come to the Housing Service where they will be given information and guided through the procedure to find permanent housing. In order to arrange permanent housing smoothly, it is recommended that international students come to Leuven approximately 1 week  before the beginning of the courses. The room hunt generally takes from a few days to maximum 1 week.

Exchange students staying for the entire academic year will be referred to the database of privately rented student housing (Kotwijs).

Exchange students staying for the first semester will find it difficult to negotiate with landlords, who are seldom prepared to sign a rental contract for less than 10 months.
Upon arrival in Leuven, these students will receive a list of rooms being sublet by Belgian students who study abroad or are in training for one semester. The Housing Service also has a separate list of rooms from private landlords who are prepared to rent for a shorter rental period.

There is also a list of exchange rooms for the second semester. The list for the first semester is available from the beginning of July onwards and the list for the second semester is available from the beginning of December. As we strongly advise against renting from abroad, it is not possible to apply for these lists from abroad.

Please check the academic calendar for the semester periods.