Housing Guide
THE DUTCH HOUSING CRISIS
At present, there is a housing shortage within the Dutch market and students are especially affected. This said, due to changes in national laws regarding rental contracts there have been many more student apartments available in 2025 than in previous years.
The housing market in the Netherlands can be very different to your home country; however students successfully find housing by following three tenants:
- Start renting as early as you can
- Be aware of the housing situation here
- Stay active daily in your search
The city of Eindhoven is home to other universities and the largest company in the Netherlands (ASML). In normal conditions, finding housing in the city is a competition against other students and expats, and this is exacerbated by the housing shortage.
Laid out in a step-by-step manner, the DAE Housing Guide annually builds upon experience and feedback of staff, students, and alumni of Design Academy Eindhoven with the aim of streamlining the process of house hunting.
HOUSING SUPPORT AT DAE
Finding housing requires some work and can take a long time. It is advised that you begin your search in April or May, and to plan to move to Eindhoven months before the beginning of the academic year. Housing is most difficult in August and September leading to fewer options, longer commutes and higher prices.
Please note that the Design Academy does not provide housing for students, and the responsibility for finding housing lies with each individual student. It has been the case in the past that students have failed to find accommodation before they start which can cause serious difficulties in settling in the Netherlands and result in students not being able to finish their studies here.
For current students, the Housing Officer provides advice and guidance to address housing issues and can be visited on the 2nd floor. Please mail ahead to make an appointment or message Ned at <housing@designacademy.nl>.
HOUSING AGREEMENTS AT DAE
Xior, Zernikestraat
DAE has 15 rooms reserved exclusively for student within the Xior complex on Zernikestraat. These rooms become available only when a student chooses to move out, at which time the DAE Housing Officer will be notified. In 2026, these rooms are announced to all students via e-mail and allocated via lottery and at the discretion of the DAE Housing Officer.
Social Hub Eindhoven
Annually, DAE and the Social Hub Eindhoven reserve a limited number of rooms for incoming students first year students. These rooms can only be booked via the Social Hub website using a university specific code. This code - and the link to the correct page of the Social Hub Eindhoven website - will be sent via e-mail to all incoming students that are registered with Student Administration on May 4th 2026.
A total of 10 rooms will be available via this code and can be booked on a 'first come first served' basis.
Housing Seminars 2026
During the annual Housing Webinars, you can join DAE Housing Officer Ned Kaar as he walks through the process of applying for housing and answers questions you might have about housing in Eindhoven.
May 4th 2026, 17hr – 19hr CET, Online – [Registration Link]
May 28th 2026, 17hr – 19hr CET, Online – [Registration Link]
July 21st 2026, 13hr – 15hr, Online – [Registration Link]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Use the index below to move around the Housing Guide
