Housing for staff (inc. PhD/EngD/guests)

For scholarship PhD candidates who require a VISA

The University of Twente mediates housing for scholarship PhD candidates who require a visa. If you are looking for a house or apartment instead of a room, for example, because you wish to relocate with your family, we advise you to broaden your search to other housing possibilities. The University of Twente doesn't offer housing services for families, UT staff members, researchers, or guests.

Please select whether you require an entry visa and/or a residence permit to stay at the University of Twente.

Entry visa and/or residence permit

The University of Twente guarantees to offer Scholarship PhD Candidates who need an entry visa and/or residence permit timely, appropriate and affordable furnished housing for one year.

Family housing

In case you are looking for a house or apartment instead of a room, for example, because you wish to relocate together with your family, we advise you to broaden your search to other housing possibilities. The University of Twente doesn't offer housing services for one's family.

Roomspot

Since you require an entry visa and/or residence permit, the University of Twente wishes to offer you additional assistance in your search for a room. You will be informed per e-mail once the special offer has been made available to you.

If you would like us to assist you in finding accommodation on campus or in the vicinity of our university, please create an account at Roomspot; the online housing portal for Enschede and Hengelo.

Duration of stay

The accommodation that you rent via the University of Twente is available to you for a period of up to 1 year. As our accommodations are classified as ‘short stay’, you are allowed to rent for a period of maximum one year, after which you are required to find your own accommodation.

Please note: for ending your rental contract, most rental agencies and landlords handle a notice period of one month. We strongly suggest you to check your rental contract for the conditions that apply to you.

For all matters related to the state of your accommodation (e.g. damage, leakage) please contact your landlord.

Terms and conditions

The University of Twente can only assist in finding accommodation for the maximum duration of one year.

Rental contract

When you sign a rental contract, you are bound to the terms of the contract, and you agree with the rights and obligations stated in it. Housing providers may charge administrative costs for new contracts.

In case you want to terminate your contract, please contact your landlord or check the termination policy. The starting date of a contract is generally on the 1st or 16th day of the month and the ending date is always on the 15th or last day of the month.

Contracts

International students applying for furnished accommodation generally will be offered a contract of a maximum of 12 months. If you are an exchange student, you will be offered a contract for the duration of your exchange period.

No entry visa and/or residence permit needed

If you are an (international) Scholarship PhD Candidate who does not need an entry visa and/or residence permit, and you are looking for accommodation on campus or in the vicinity of our university, you have to find housing yourself. To do so, please take a look at Roomspot or other housing possibilities. Start your search for housing as soon as possible.

For all matters related to the state of your accommodation (e.g. damage, leakage) please contact your landlord.

All others staff/guests

We do not provide housing for other staff members or guests. Here are some tips to find housing yourself:

For other staff

If you are joining UT as an employee, you are responsible for finding your own accommodation. A wide range of rental options is available in and around Enschede, from apartments and studios to family homes. You can search for housing through public rental agencies, real estate websites, or private landlords. Housing availability in the region can be limited, so we recommend starting your search as early as possible.

Tips for your housing search

Look for accommodation in Enschede, Hengelo, or other nearby towns
Check reliable Dutch housing websites such as Funda or Pararius
Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true. Always verify the landlord and never transfer money before signing a verified rental contract.

Please note

Roomspot is a housing platform exclusively for students & scholarship PhD candidates. Applications from staff members are not accepted, as housing providers require proof of enrolment from UT. If you create an account and respond to offers on Roomspot, your application will not be considered.

Support

If you are joining the UT from abroad, your HR contact person can advise you on how and where to start your housing search, and may be able to connect you with useful local resources.

For short-stay (less than 5 months)

A short stay means renting accommodation for a short period, usually less than five months. This can range from a few days to several weeks or months, and is typically paid per night or per week. Short-stay accommodation is often used by:

New staff members or PhD candidates who need temporary housing while searching for long-term accommodation
Guest researchers or visitors staying for a limited period

UT does not provide or arrange short-stay accommodation. This means the university offers no housing options for stays shorter than five months. You are fully responsible for finding your own temporary accommodation.

Where to look for short-stay accommodation

To help you get started, we have listed several options and platforms that offer short-term stays in or near Enschede:

You can also check other short-term booking websites such as Booking.com, Funda Short Stay, or HousingAnywhere, where landlords sometimes list temporary options.

Tips

Book early. Short-stay options can fill up quickly, especially at the start of each academic semester (August/September and January/February).
Confirm the rental period and price carefully. Make sure the accommodation matches your stay duration and budget.
Check the distance. Some listings may be outside Enschede. Always verify travel time to the UT campus.
Be cautious. Only book through reputable websites or verified landlords to avoid scams.

If you plan to stay longer than five months, please check our regular housing information for students or staff/PhDs, as different options and procedures apply.

Contact

If you experience difficulties finding short-stay accommodation, please contact your faculty or (service) department contact person at the University of Twente. They can advise you or help you explore suitable options.

Last edit: 20 October 2026