Finding a place to live as a student in the Netherlands can feel like competing in the Hunger Games. Especially in cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, or Rotterdam, where demand is sky-high and the odds need to be in your favor. One of the main platforms for student housing is Studentenwoningweb. But is it really worth it? And how do you even sign up? You’ll find the answer down below!
📝 How to register on Studentenwoning
Do you want a fair shot at student housing through Studentenwoningweb? Then, first of all, you must register! Here’s how to do it step-by-step:
🔹 Step 1 – Go to the website
Visit Studentenwoningweb and hit the Inschrijven (register) button. Make sure you are on the official website, as scammers sometimes create fake registration pages. Bookmark it for easy access later!
🔹 Step 2 – Fill in your details
During registration, you’ll need to provide:
- Your full name Use the exact name from your official documents.
- Email address Make sure it’s one you check regularly, as housing offers and important updates will be sent here.
- Date of birth This ensures you qualify for student housing.
- BSN (Dutch citizen service number) If you don’t have a BSN yet, that’s fine. You can usually add it later, but it’s good to have it ready once you move to the Netherlands.
💡If you don’t have a Dutch address yet, you can use your international address during registration. You can update it later when you move!
🔹 Step 3 – Pay the registration fee
Yes, sadly, nothing in life is free. The registration fee is €26 for 8 years. Think of it as an investment in your future home (or at least a chance at one). Here’s what you need to know:
- Payment methods You can usually pay via iDEAL (Dutch bank payment system), but some international credit cards may also work.
- One-time fee You only pay once, and your account stays active for 8 years. No renewals or hidden charges!
- Non-refundable If you decide you don’t need Studentenwoningweb anymore, you won’t get your money back.
💡Even if you don’t need a room right now, registering early is a smart move. The longer you’re on the list, the higher your chances of getting housing in the future!
🔹 Step 4 – Confirm and activate
After payment, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Click the activation link, and boom – you’re officially in the game!
- Didn’t get the email? Check your spam folder! If it’s not there, log in to Studentenwoningweb and request another confirmation email.
- Forgot your password? No worries, there’s a password reset option on the login page.
Congrats! You are now on the Studentenwoning waiting list… which brings us to the next point.
⏳ What is the Studentenwoning waiting time?
Brace yourself, because the waiting time can be brutal. The system works based on registration time, meaning the longer you’re registered, the higher your chances of getting an apartment. Some average waiting times per city:
- Amsterdam: 3-6 years
- Utrecht: 3-5 years
- Rotterdam: 2-4 years
- The Hague: 2-3 years
- Delft, Groningen, Leiden: 1-3 years
If you’re an international student staying for only a year or two, Studentenwoningweb probably won’t work for you unless you get really lucky. For Dutch students planning to stay long-term, signing up ASAP (like, before you even finish high school) is key.
However, there is another option…
🎲 What is the Studentenwoningweb lottery system?
Not all housing on Studentenwoningweb is given to the person with the longest waiting time. Some listings use a lottery system (loting), where the selection is completely random. This means even if you signed up yesterday, you still have a chance to win a room! Sounds fairer, right? Well… kinda.
💡Even if you end up 10th, there’s a bigger chance the first 9 candidates end up not choosing the accommodation.
🔍 How do I know if a listing uses the lottery system?
When browsing available housing, each listing will mention whether it’s based on waiting time (inschrijfduur) or lottery (loting). If it’s a lottery, it’s basically a game of luck, all applicants have an equal chance, no matter how long they’ve been registered.
Tips to increase your chances in the lottery
Even though it’s random, you can still improve your odds by:
✅ Applying for as many lottery listings as possible Make sure you’ve always got some lotteries going on.
✅ Being flexible with location The more open you are to different cities, the more opportunities you’ll have.
✅ Checking the website daily Most lottery listings are only open for a short time.
🏆 Can I really get housing fast through the lottery?
Yes, but don’t count on it. Since hundreds (or even thousands) of students apply, your chances depend on the competition. However, if you’re lucky, you could skip the waiting list entirely and score a room within weeks!
Review of Studentenwoningweb
To find out whether Studentenwoningweb is worth it, let’s look at some pros and cons.
✅ Pros:
- Legit and safe – It’s an official platform, acknowledged by the Dutch government, so you won’t run into scams.
- Affordable housing – Once you finally get a room, the rent is usually way lower than private market prices.
- One-time fee – €26 for 8 years is relatively (very) cheap compared to other housing platforms.
- Lottery system – Even if you just registered, you might get lucky and win a room.
❌ Cons:
- Extremely long waiting times – In big cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht, you’ll likely wait 3-6 years.
- Not useful for short-term students – If you’re only staying in the Netherlands for a year or two, this platform won’t help.
- Limited number of listings – Compared to Kamernet or Facebook groups, there are fewer rooms available.
- No guarantees – Even after years of waiting, getting a room is never 100% certain.
🤔 So, is Studentenwoningweb worth it for international students?
Short answer: not really. If you’re only staying in the Netherlands for one or two years, the waiting time makes it nearly impossible to get a place through Studentenwoningweb.
That said, if you plan to stay longer than three years, it might be worth registering just in case. The €26 fee covers 8 years, so if you plan on staying in the Netherlands long-term, go for it. Otherwise, you might want to explore faster options.
🚀 Final tips for finding student housing
- Sign up for Studentenwoningweb early – even if you don’t need housing now.
- Use multiple platforms – Don’t rely on just one website.
- Beware of scams – Never pay before seeing the place.
- Be flexible – The more open you are to different cities and neighborhoods, the better your chances.
- Get valuable assistance – Make sure to sign up with Renthunter, and improve your chances.
Good luck, and may the housing odds be ever in your favor! 🍀
🎯 Conclusion: is Studentenwoningweb your golden ticket?
Finding student housing in the Netherlands can feel like an extreme sport, but Studentenwoning is one of the few structured ways to secure long-term accommodation. If you’re planning to stay in the country for several years, registering early is a no-brainer, it costs only €26 for eight years, and every day counts in the waiting game.
Studentenwoning review
If you’re an international student staying for a short time, you’ll likely need to look elsewhere, as the waiting times can be brutal. The lottery system offers a bit of hope for quicker results, but it’s a gamble. If you’re here for the long term, it’s definitely worth getting registered as early as possible. Facebook groups, Kamernet, DUWO, and private housing agencies are often much faster options. Another platform worth checking out is Renthunter, which helps students find available rooms across multiple rental websites without the hassle of searching manually. Renthunter can save you time by showing listings from various sources in one place, making it easier to spot good deals before they’re gone.
The key takeaway? Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, use multiple platforms, be persistent, and most importantly, start searching as early as possible. With a bit of luck (and maybe some sleepless nights scrolling through listings), you’ll find a student home that doesn’t involve sleeping on someone’s couch. Good luck, and may the housing odds be ever in your favor!
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) How do I register on Studentenwoningweb?
Go to Studentenwoning, click Inschrijven (register), fill in your details, pay the €26 fee, and confirm your email. That’s it! You’re officially on the waiting list.
How long is the waiting time for Studentenwoningweb?
It depends on the city. In Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam, you might wait 3-6 years. In smaller cities like Groningen, Delft, or Leiden, it could be 1-3 years.
Is Studentenwoningweb worth it for international students?
If you’re staying in the Netherlands for less than three years, it’s probably not worth it due to the long waiting times. But if you’re here long-term, registering early can help you secure affordable student housing later.
What’s the best alternative to Studentenwoningweb for quick housing?
Try Kamernet, DUWO, Facebook groups, and Renthunter. Renthunter is especially useful because it gathers listings from multiple platforms in one place, saving you time.
Can I find student housing in Amsterdam through Studentenwoningweb?
Yes, but it will take years unless you’re extremely lucky. Most students in Amsterdam rely on private rentals, Kamernet, or Facebook groups instead.
Do I need a BSN (Dutch citizen service number) to register?
No, you can register without a BSN and add it later. However, you’ll need a BSN when signing an actual rental contract.
How does the Studentenwoningweb lottery system work?
Some properties go to the person with the longest registration time, while others use a lottery system, where applicants are randomly selected.
How can I avoid rental scams when searching for student housing?
Never pay anything before visiting the property in person. If a landlord asks for a deposit upfront via WhatsApp or social media, it’s likely a scam. Stick to trusted platforms like Renthunter, Kamernet, DUWO, and official housing agencies.
