Looking for a Room in Groningen? Discover Hospi Housing
Finding a room in Groningen can feel overwhelming, especially when you are moving to the Netherlands for the first time. Alongside student residences, housing corporations and private rentals, there is another option worth exploring: living with a local host through Hospi Housing.
Hospi Housing connects students and young professionals with people who have a spare room in their home. Instead of moving into a large student house, you rent your own private room in a home where the host also lives. You usually share facilities such as the kitchen, bathroom and living room, while still having a space of your own.
For many international students, this can be a comfortable way to begin life in Groningen. Moving abroad comes with plenty of practical questions, from cycling in Dutch traffic to understanding supermarket labels and arranging appointments. Living with someone who already knows the city can make those first weeks feel less unfamiliar.
A Home, Not Just a Room
A homestay offers a different experience from a standard student house. You are not simply renting a place to sleep: you are becoming part of a household for a while.
Some hosts live alone and enjoy having company at home. Others are families with an extra room available. Every home is different, so it is important to read each profile carefully and think about the kind of living situation that suits you.
You may enjoy chatting over dinner, learning more about Dutch traditions or practising a few Dutch words. On the other hand, you might prefer a quieter home where everyone has their own routine. Neither preference is wrong. The key is finding a match that feels comfortable for both you and your host.
How Hospi Housing Works
You can create an account on Hospi Housing and build a profile that introduces who you are. Share practical information about your study programme, your planned arrival date and how long you are looking to stay. It also helps to add a little about yourself, such as your hobbies, daily routine and what you value in a home.
Once your profile is complete, you can explore available rooms and show your interest in the homes that appeal to you. Hosts can view profiles too, which means the process is about more than being the quickest person to reply. A good match matters, because you will be sharing a home.
When a host and room seeker are interested in each other, Hospi Housing supports the process and helps arrange the rental agreement. The platform verifies hosts and landlords before listings go live, adding an extra layer of reassurance when you are searching from abroad.
Creating an account and responding to rooms is free. A one-time matching fee is charged only when you have found a room and finalised a rental agreement through the platform.
A Good Option for Your First Months in Groningen
Hospi Housing can be particularly helpful when you are still getting to know the city. A local host may be able to share useful everyday tips, such as where to find a reliable bike repair shop, how waste collection works in your neighbourhood or which bus route brings you to campus.
It can also be a welcome antidote to arriving in a new country alone. Of course, your host is not expected to organise your social life, but a friendly face at home can make a real difference while you are building your own routine, meeting classmates and discovering Groningen.
That said, shared living works best when expectations are clear. Before accepting a room, talk openly about practical matters such as guests, quiet hours, use of shared spaces, cleaning and privacy. A good conversation before moving in can prevent misunderstandings later.
Read the Agreement Carefully
As with any rental, make sure you understand the agreement before signing it. Check the rent, what is included, the start and end date, any deposit, and whether you can register at the address. Address registration is particularly important if you are staying in the Netherlands for more than four months and need to arrange your BSN.
Homestay contracts can have different rules from standard rental contracts because the host lives in the same home. If anything in the agreement is unclear, ask questions before you sign. It is always better to understand the arrangement fully from the beginning.
Could Hospi Housing Be Right for You?
Hospi Housing may be a great fit if you are looking for a private room, a more personal living environment and an introduction to Dutch daily life. It is not the same as joining a busy student house, but that is exactly what makes it appealing to many students.
Keep your profile honest, take time to get to know potential hosts and stay open-minded. The right match can give you more than a room in Groningen. It can give you a softer landing and a place that feels a little more like home.