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The total monthly cost of renting in The Hague is made up of several components that international students should budget for carefully.
TL;DR – Student housing in The Hague: Shared rooms start at approximately 450 EUR/month; private studios range from 800 to 1,300 EUR/month. Register with DUWO via ROOM.nl as early as possible. The Laakkwartier district is the most student-friendly neighbourhood. Security deposits are capped at two months' bare rent, and agency fees charged to tenants are prohibited by Dutch law. Register with the municipality to get your BSN number and access rent benefit (huurtoeslag) if eligible.
Searching for long-term student accommodation in The Hague means navigating one of the most competitive rental markets in the Netherlands. As the seat of the Dutch government and a hub for international organisations, The Hague attracts thousands of international students each year, putting significant pressure on available housing. Whether you are enrolling at THUAS, Leiden University Campus The Hague, or the ISS, understanding the local rental landscape — from DUWO social housing to private-sector studios — is essential to securing a suitable home before your studies begin.
This guide covers the key student neighbourhoods, typical rental budgets, required documents for a rental application (dossier locatif), and the legal framework that protects tenants in the Netherlands, so you can approach your housing search with confidence.
The Hague is a major destination for international students in the Netherlands, home to institutions such as The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS), Leiden University Campus The Hague, and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS). The rental market is competitive, with shared rooms starting at approximately 450 EUR/month and private studios ranging from 800 to 1,300 EUR/month in the free-market sector (source: RentSlam, 2024; HousingAnywhere, 2024). The main student housing association, DUWO, allocates rooms via ROOM.nl based on registration seniority, making early sign-up essential. Under Dutch law, security deposits are capped at two months' bare rent for contracts signed from 1 July 2023, and agency mediation fees charged to tenants are prohibited (source: The Hague International Centre, 2024). The Laakkwartier neighbourhood, near Den Haag Holland Spoor station, is the most student-oriented district and the closest to the THUAS main campus.
Searching for long-term student accommodation in The Hague means navigating one of the most competitive rental markets in the Netherlands. As the seat of the Dutch government and a hub for international organisations, The Hague attracts thousands of international students each year, putting significant pressure on available housing. Whether you are enrolling at THUAS, Leiden University Campus The Hague, or the ISS, understanding the local rental landscape — from DUWO social housing to private-sector studios — is essential to securing a suitable home before your studies begin.
This guide covers the key student neighbourhoods, typical rental budgets, required documents for a rental application (dossier locatif), and the legal framework that protects tenants in the Netherlands, so you can approach your housing search with confidence.
Finding affordable long-term rental accommodation in The Hague requires planning ahead and understanding the local market. The city operates a dual rental system: social housing (sociale huur), which has strict income limits and long waiting lists, and the free-market sector (vrije sector), where most international students end up renting. Since the Affordable Rent Act (Wet betaalbare huur, 2024), properties with a rent up to 1,184.82 EUR/month are subject to the points system (puntenstelsel), which has tightened supply in the mid-range segment (source: RentSlam, 2024).
Students on a tight budget should register with DUWO as early as possible via ROOM.nl, as allocation is based on registration duration. For those renting privately, landlords typically require proof of income equivalent to at least three times the monthly rent, a valid ID, proof of university enrolment, and sometimes a Dutch BSN number obtained after registering with the municipality (source: HousingAnywhere, 2024).
International students searching for long-term rental accommodation in The Hague frequently make the following mistakes:
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.
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Thank you to Aude for her availability, follow-up, and smile! A room was found for my daughter very quickly. Thank you for all the information, answering our many questions, and for your support right up to the key handover! I highly recommend her.
Start by creating your DUWO account on ROOM.nl: rooms are allocated by length of registration. THUAS students can also go through the school's housing service. Most international students, however, end up in the private sector, often in Laakkwartier, near Den Haag Holland Spoor station and the main THUAS campus, or in Archipelbuurt for the Hotelschool. A local Home Finder can search and view for you on this private market.
If your income is not high enough, yes: private landlords ask for proof of income of at least three times the rent, or a guarantor. The standard file also includes a valid passport or ID, proof of university enrolment and sometimes a BSN, obtained after registering with the municipality. Gathering these documents before you search speeds everything up. The Home Finder helps you put the file together and supports your application with the landlord.
A room in a shared flat costs about EUR 450 to 750 a month excluding charges, a private studio EUR 800 to 1,300 a month in the private sector. DUWO, the main student housing association, allocates its rooms through ROOM.nl, and its Campus Den Haag is in Laakkwartier, where a one-bedroom flat in Laakhaven-Oost lets for around EUR 900 a month. THUAS charges EUR 275 to reserve a room with partners such as DUWO. In Scheveningen, rents start at around EUR 650 a month.
Right now, even before your admission: registration with DUWO via ROOM.nl is open from the age of 16, and allocation depends on how long you have been registered. THUAS students should apply through Osiris as soon as they receive a conditional offer, as places are limited. On the private market, rooms and studios let very quickly, especially before the start of the academic year. Also plan to register with the municipality to obtain your BSN.
Allow EUR 450 to 1,300 a month: EUR 450 to 750 for a room in a shared flat, EUR 800 to 1,300 for a studio, excluding service charges (servicekosten), which you should check in the listing. The deposit is capped at two months' basic rent for contracts signed since 1 July 2023, and agency fees charged to tenants are banned. If your rent does not exceed EUR 900.07 a month and you are at least 23, housing benefit (huurtoeslag) may apply depending on your income.
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