How to find Housing for Exchange Students in Liège, Belgium

Liège, the lively French-speaking city on the banks of the Meuse, is home to the well-regarded Université de Liège (ULiège), which draws exchange students from across Europe and beyond. Its historic centre, affordable lifestyle, and easy connections to Brussels, Maastricht, and Cologne make it an appealing base — but like most Belgian university cities, finding short-term housing as an incoming exchange student takes some planning. Landlords aren't always keen on renting to international students for a single semester, and the internet has no shortage of rental scams targeting people searching for a room from abroad. This guide walks you through what housing actually costs in Liège, how competitive the market is, and where to look — including how Exchange Rooms can help.

What does student housing cost in Liège?

Liège is consistently ranked as one of the most affordable student cities in Belgium. A single room (a "kot") typically rents for around €325–450 per month, noticeably cheaper than Leuven, Ghent, or Brussels. Independent studios run higher, generally from €600 up to €850 for a well-located or recently renovated place, and a two-bedroom shared apartment can start around €1,650 total. Budget for a deposit worth one to three months' rent on top of your first month, refundable when you move out.

How difficult is it to find a room?

Compared with Leuven or Brussels, Liège's rental market is relatively accessible — but exchange students still face two structural disadvantages: most landlords prefer full-year contracts, and short-term or single-semester rooms are harder to come by. Start your search as early as possible, ideally a few months before arrival, and stay open to both university-run kots and private listings.

Where to look for housing

Check the website of your host university, ULiège, for housing tips aimed specifically at exchange students, and look for short-term options that don't get advertised as widely. Even before you're officially enrolled, you can contact the housing service and ask about availability.

Don't overlook the website of the City of Liège, which lists municipal resources and social housing agencies that also work with students.

Getting around Liège

Liège is compact and walkable, and most ULiège faculties sit within a 20–30 minute walk or a short tram ride of the centre. The TEC network runs an extensive bus service across the city, complemented by a tram line linking the centre with the Sart Tilman campus area. Liège-Guillemins, the striking Calatrava-designed train station, gives fast connections to Brussels (under an hour), as well as to Maastricht, Aachen, and Cologne, making the city a convenient base for weekend trips. Students benefit from discounted TEC and SNCB rail passes.

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 Liège. 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 Liège. Search for rooms in the area or learn more and create an account!

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