Step 4: Rooms, Studios, Apartments
Below are three different types of rental (defined by three slightly different contracts) that are most common in the Netherlands. Consult the FAQ at the end of this guide for more information about other rental considerations such as renting with friends or renting with support of a parent/guardian.
Room (‘Kamer’ in Dutch)
Renting a room is going to mean sharing a kitchen, bathroom and usually a living space with others. While it’s uncommon at the Design Academy Eindhoven, you can find ‘studenthuis’ accommodation in Eindhoven – large houses where up to 20 students live together - however often these are Dutch speaking. Rooms in houses shared with Design Academy students and graduates will often be shared on Facebook.
Approximate Cost: €300 - €500/month incl*
Studio
A studio is a single person apartment, meaning you have your own kitchen, bathroom and bedroom and all of these are contained within a single space. The self-contained nature of this means you can receive the Huurtoeslag (Housing Allowance) from the Gemeente. Be aware that the Huurtoeslag will only cover you up to a certain price. For this year you can use this calculator to see how much you would be entitled to in Housing Allowance.
Approximate Cost: €500 - €1200/month incl*
Apartment (’Appartement’ in Dutch)
An apartment is recognised for being able to house a number of people. If you rent an apartment, double check with the person renting to you how many people are able to register there. Usually only two people can register (and for more than two a property needs an environmental permit to deviate from the zoning plan). If you live alone in an apartment you will be able to receive the Huurtoeslag. If you live with others, but you have your own bathroom, kitchen and door, you may be able to receive the Huurtoeslag. If you live with others but share facilities and spaces you will not be eligible for the Huurtoeslag.
Approximate Cost: € 600 - € 1500/month incl*
*all estimations aim to take into consideration the price of utilities - water, gas, electricity, and waste (more on this in Step 8) - however these figures can shift quite significantly on an annual basis. It is recommended that you ask during discussions with landlords and agencies what you can expect in terms of utility costs.
Rooms and apartments in the Netherlands are measure in m2. Keep in mind the following simple measurements to understand how large the room you are looking at is - A single bed measures around .75m x 2m (1.5m2). A double bed measures around 1.5m x 2m (3m2).
More information on the Huurtoeslag (Rental Allowance) can be found here
Emergency Solutions
In the past there have been students who have lived in holiday campsites and tents far outside of the city. These are emergency solutions and not conducive to studying, however as short term rentals they can be very helpful.
Homelessness deeply affects studies and in time has drastic negative effects on studies through physical and mental health. Students who experience homelessness are recommended to make an appointment with the DAE Housing Officer (Ned) by sending an e-mail to housing@designacademy.nl. While there is not a constant supply of housing available to the school, this meeting can be used to assess the available options and make a clear action plan for the coming weeks and months.
For short term solutions, be sure to check out the relevant advice in Section 6.
If you find yourself in need of urgent assistance due to homelessness, students can always contact the municipal homeless services. Find more information from Gemeente Eindhoven here.
Housing Prices 2025: What DAE Students Pay
Following a survey of 40 students of Design Academy Eindhoven in May 2025, the following figures for housing and rent were recorded.
/// Monthly Rent
Highest — €1205 including utilities, 41sqm room, sharing with their partner, in Noord Brabant, not in Eindhoven.
Lowest — €223 including utilities, 13 sqm room, rental with 3 others (students and non-students), in Eindhoven.
Average — € 634.33 (utilities included)
/// Utilities (Gas, Water & Electricity)
Highest — € 300/month
Average — €103.89
/// Room Mates/Shared Living
Most — €495 including utilities, 11sqm room, house sharing with 8 students, in Eindhoven.
Least — €730 - €1170 including utilities, 12sqm - 55sqm room, housing on their own, in Eindhoven.
Average — 2.8 room mates
/// Room Sizes
Largest — €850 including utilities, 55sqm studio, housing on their own, in Eindhoven.
Smallest — € 536 including utilities, 4sqm room, house sharing with 3 students, in Eindhoven.
Average – 16sqm
Study in NL also publish national annual reports on daily student expenses and cost of living in the Netherlands, you can find this online here.
Emergency Solutions
In the past there have been students who have lived in holiday campsites and tents far outside of the city. These are emergency solutions and not conducive to studying.
What DAE Students Pay
Following a survey of 40 students of Design Academy Eindhoven in May 2025, the following figures for housing and rent were recorded.
/// Monthly Rent
Highest — €1205 including utilities, 41sqm room, sharing with their partner, in Noord Brabant, not in Eindhoven.
Lowest — €223 including utilities, 13 sqm room, rental with 3 others (students and non-students), in Eindhoven.
Average — € 634.33 (utilities included)
/// Utilities (Gas, Water & Electricity)
Highest — € 300/month
Average — €103.89
/// Room Mates/Shared Living
Most — €495 including utilities, 11sqm room, house sharing with 8 students, in Eindhoven.
Least — €730 - €1170 including utilities, 12sqm - 55sqm room, housing on their own, in Eindhoven.
Average — 2.8 room mates
/// Room Sizes
Largest — €850 including utilities, 55sqm studio, housing on their own, in Eindhoven.
Smallest — € 536 including utilities, 4sqm room, house sharing with 3 students, in Eindhoven.
Average – 16sqm
Housing Guide Index
Use the index below to move around the Housing Guide
