Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
Kathleen, or another of our hunters in Galway, will take care of your search
The total monthly occupancy cost for a student renting in Galway typically includes several components. Rent is the main expense: according to the Daft.ie Rental Price Report (Q3 2024), the average open-market rent in Galway City reached approximately 2,189 EUR/month for a full property, but students sharing a house or renting a single room pay considerably less — typically between 600 EUR/month and 1,200 EUR/month per room, depending on location and property type (RTÉ, December 2025).
Utility bills (electricity, gas, broadband) are sometimes included in student accommodation packages but are often separate in private rentals. When not included, utilities can add approximately 100–200 EUR/month to your costs. Always confirm with the landlord whether bills are included before signing.
Security deposit: Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended by the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021), a landlord cannot request a deposit exceeding one month's rent. You cannot be required to pay more than two months' rent upfront in total (deposit plus first month's rent), as confirmed by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The deposit is held by the landlord and must be returned promptly at the end of the tenancy, provided obligations are met.
Agency fees: There is no statutory cap on letting agency fees charged to tenants in Ireland, though many private landlords rent directly. Always clarify any fees before committing.
Contents insurance: Not legally required, but many landlords include a clause in the lease requiring tenants to hold contents insurance. Premiums are generally modest and protect your personal belongings against theft, fire, or accidental damage.
Local tax: There is no local council tax equivalent charged directly to tenants in Ireland (unlike the UK's Council Tax). The Local Property Tax (LPT) is a landlord obligation, not a tenant one.
Galway in brief: Two major universities (University of Galway and ATU Galway), a highly competitive rental market, and student room rents ranging from 600 to 1,200 EUR/month. Start your search early, use verified platforms, confirm whether bills are included, and know that Irish law caps your deposit at one month's rent. Best student areas: Newcastle, Shantalla, Salthill, and the City Centre.
Finding long-term student accommodation in Galway requires early planning and a clear understanding of the local rental market. With two major universities — the University of Galway and ATU Galway — attracting thousands of international students each year, demand for rental housing consistently outstrips supply. Rooms in shared houses near campus range from approximately 600 to 1,200 EUR/month, while purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) options offer all-inclusive packages at the higher end of this range. Key neighbourhoods to explore include Newcastle, Shantalla, Salthill, and the City Centre. Irish tenancy law provides strong protections for renters, including a deposit cap of one month's rent and security of tenure after six months of continuous occupation under a Part 4 tenancy.
Galway is one of Ireland's most vibrant student cities, home to the University of Galway (founded 1845, ~19,000 students) and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway. The private rental market is highly competitive: according to the Daft.ie Rental Price Report (Q3 2024), average open-market rents in Galway City reached approximately 2,189 EUR/month, with student rooms in shared houses typically ranging from 600 to 1,200 EUR/month (RTÉ, December 2025). Popular student neighbourhoods include Newcastle, Shantalla, Salthill, and the City Centre around Eyre Square. Under Irish law (Residential Tenancies Act 2004, as amended), security deposits are capped at one month's rent, and all private tenancies must be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). Starting your accommodation search at least six months before your course begins is strongly advised given the acute shortage of rental supply in the city.
Finding long-term student accommodation in Galway requires early planning and a clear understanding of the local rental market. With two major universities — the University of Galway and ATU Galway — attracting thousands of international students each year, demand for rental housing consistently outstrips supply. Rooms in shared houses near campus range from approximately 600 to 1,200 EUR/month, while purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) options offer all-inclusive packages at the higher end of this range. Key neighbourhoods to explore include Newcastle, Shantalla, Salthill, and the City Centre. Irish tenancy law provides strong protections for renters, including a deposit cap of one month's rent and security of tenure after six months of continuous occupation under a Part 4 tenancy.
Galway's rental market is under significant pressure. The Daft.ie Rental Price Report (Q3 2024) recorded an average open-market rent of approximately 2,189 EUR/month across all property types in Galway City — a 10.5% year-on-year increase. For students, the realistic range for a private room in a shared house is 600–1,200 EUR/month (RTÉ, December 2025). Rents in Galway rose by a further 6% year-on-year in Q3 2025 according to Daft.ie data reported by RTÉ (November 2025). Starting your accommodation search as early as possible — ideally six months before your course begins — is essential to secure a room at a reasonable price.
One of the most common mistakes international students make when searching for accommodation in Galway is starting too late. Given the severe shortage of rental supply in the city, rooms are often taken months before the academic year begins. Waiting until August or September to search for a September start is a significant risk.
Other frequent errors include:
Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
Gaëlle provided excellent service. We finally found accommodation that suited us. At first, I was a little pessimistic, but in the end, everything went well.
Justine was an invaluable help. She quickly found us a rental that perfectly matched our requirements. Her availability, kindness, and responsiveness are undeniable. I highly recommend her services!
Searching for a property in Galway from abroad is a significant challenge. A local property hunter acts as your eyes and ears on the ground, visiting properties on your behalf, verifying their condition, and negotiating the best price for you. Without a trusted local expert, you risk making costly decisions based solely on photos or virtual tours that may not reflect reality.
A property hunter in Galway has an in-depth knowledge of the local market, the most sought-after neighbourhoods, and the realistic price ranges. They can alert you to off-market opportunities that never appear on public listing platforms, giving you a decisive competitive advantage — especially in a dynamic market like Galway where properties can be snapped up within days.
By delegating your search to a professional, you save considerable time, avoid unnecessary trips, and benefit from expert guidance throughout the entire purchasing or rental process, from the initial search right through to the signing of contracts.
Absolutely. One of the greatest advantages of working with a property hunter in Galway is the ability to secure a rental property entirely remotely. Your hunter will conduct physical viewings on your behalf, provide detailed video walkthroughs, and give you an honest assessment of each property's strengths and weaknesses.
They will also handle all communications with landlords and letting agents, verify the legitimacy of listings, and ensure that the lease terms are fair and compliant with Irish rental law. This is particularly valuable in Galway, where the rental market is highly competitive — especially around the university and city centre areas — and where desirable properties are often taken within 24 to 48 hours of being listed.
With a property hunter managing your search, you can make a confident, informed decision from anywhere in the world, knowing that a trusted professional has personally vetted every option presented to you.
Moving to Galway as an international student is an exciting but stressful experience, and finding suitable accommodation from abroad is one of the biggest hurdles. A property hunter specialising in the Galway student market understands the specific needs of students: proximity to NUI Galway or GMIT, access to public transport, affordable budgets, and flexible lease terms.
They will filter out unsuitable or overpriced options, protect you from rental scams — which unfortunately target international students — and negotiate favourable conditions on your behalf. They know which landlords are student-friendly and which neighbourhoods offer the best balance between price, safety, and convenience.
Rather than spending weeks scrolling through listings and sending unanswered emails from overseas, you can rely on your property hunter to secure a verified, move-in-ready accommodation before you even land in Ireland. This gives you peace of mind and allows you to focus on preparing for your studies.
Buying a property in Galway from abroad involves navigating a foreign legal system, currency considerations, and a market you may not fully understand. A property hunter is your local expert who bridges that gap, ensuring you make a sound investment with full confidence.
From the outset, your hunter will define a precise search mandate based on your criteria and budget, then actively source properties — including those not publicly listed — that match your requirements. They will attend viewings, assess the structural condition of properties, analyse the local price trends, and advise you on the fair market value before you make any offer.
They also coordinate with solicitors, surveyors, and mortgage brokers on your behalf, streamlining a process that can otherwise be overwhelming when managed from a distance. In a city like Galway, where demand for quality properties consistently outpaces supply, having a dedicated professional working exclusively in your interest is not a luxury — it is a necessity for a successful purchase.
First contact:Your home finder offers a free call to understand your needs.
I am applying
