How to find Housing for Exchange Students in Ghent, Belgium

Ghent (Gent) is one of Belgium's most popular exchange destinations, home to Ghent University (UGent), medieval canals, and a famously lively, laid-back student culture. It's often praised as offering the best balance between price and quality among Belgium's university cities. Even so, landlords aren't always keen on renting to international students for a single semester, short-term rooms move fast, and the internet has its share of scams aimed at students searching for housing from abroad. Here's what to expect.

What does student housing cost in Ghent?

Ghent sits comfortably in the mid-range of Belgian student cities. A kot typically costs €350–500 per month, and the median rent across the city in 2026 sits around €440 including utilities — roughly 15% cheaper than Brussels. Private studios and shared flats can run somewhat higher depending on the neighbourhood, especially close to the historic centre.

How difficult is it to find a room?

Ghent's rental market is more forgiving than Leuven's or central Brussels', but it's still tight around the August–September peak, when thousands of new students arrive at once. Booking early, staying flexible about neighbourhood, and applying through UGent's own housing office as soon as you're accepted will significantly improve your odds.

Where to look for housing

Check the website of your host university, UGent, and look specifically for housing tips aimed at exchange students, or short-term options that aren't advertised as widely. Even before you're officially enrolled, it's worth reaching out to their support services to ask about availability.

Don't forget the City of Ghent's own housing services page, which lists municipal resources for the local rental market.

Getting around Ghent

Ghent is one of Europe's most bike-friendly cities, and most students get around by bicycle — a second-hand bike is often considered a near-essential purchase. For everything else, De Lijn runs an extensive tram and bus network across the city, and student subscriptions make it inexpensive. The compact historic centre also means many faculties, shops, and social spots are within easy walking distance of most student housing. Ghent-Sint-Pieters station connects easily to Brussels (around 30 minutes), Antwerp, Bruges, and beyond.

Watch out for scams

A lot of exchange students end up on Facebook groups or other social media to hunt for a room. It's often the only option that comes to mind, but it's also where most scams live. Never transfer money before viewing a room (in person or via video call), and check with your host institution's housing office or the local municipality if a listing looks too good to be true. Favour platforms with verified listings over anonymous posts.

Why Exchange Rooms is different

None of the options above were built specifically with exchange students in mind. Exchange Rooms was. It's a housing platform made exclusively for exchange students, offering only short-term rooms listed by real fellow students who understand exactly what you're looking for. Have a look at the rooms currently available on our platform.

A bonus tip most students overlook

Finding housing often starts with offering housing. If you have a room available while you're away on exchange, post it on Exchange Rooms and send the link to the international office of your host university in Ghent. Let them know that incoming students from your host university can rent directly from you. It's a simple way to add listings exactly where they're needed.

Don't have a room to offer? No problem — you can still create an account without listing anything yourself, and you can help by sharing Exchange Rooms with your home and host university. The bigger the network grows, the better everyone's odds of finding a place become.

Exchange Rooms

Exchange Rooms can help you secure housing in Ghent. Search for rooms in the area or learn more and create an account!

Good luck finding housing — we're rooting for you!