Book your accommodation in Belgium (Before leaving your home country)
EU (European Union & EEA) Students
- What you do: Search for a “Kot” (student room) through your university’s housing office or on official platforms like Brukot.be (Brussels), Kotatgent.be (Ghent) or HousingAnywhere.
- Payment: Sign the digital contract and pay the deposit + first month by international bank card (Revolut, Wise or your home bank) or SEPA transfer. You don’t need a Belgian account now.
Security: Check the platform using the HubStudentsEurope Student Rental Scam Guide(https://www.hubstudentseurope.com/international-student-anti-fraud-rental-safe-guards) to avoid scams.
Non-EU (International) Students
Book your accommodation (Before leaving your home country)
- What you do: Look for a "Kot" (student room) through your university's housing office or on official platforms like Brukot.be or HousingAnywhere. Classic agencies do not rent to you without a visa and local accounts, so only use student channels.
- Payment: Sign the digital contract (where parents often sign as financial guarantors) and pay the deposit by international transfer (SWIFT/Wise) or card.
Security: Check the platform using the Student Rental Scam Guide(https://www.hubstudentseurope.com/international-student-anti-fraud-rental-safe-guards) to avoid scams.
Brukot.be
Is one of the largest and oldest platforms specializing in student accommodation in Brussels, frequently recommended for various options, from classic kots and co-locations to private studios. The platform facilitates the search for flexible periods, including short internships, offering access to numerous student residences and private owners.
Kotatgent
Is the official student accommodation search platform in the city of Ghent, the result of a direct partnership between the City of Ghent (Stad Gent), the University of Ghent (UGent) and the local universities of applied sciences (such as HOGENT and Odisee).
Unlike other commercial sites, this is a public initiative created specifically to protect students and ensure a fair real estate market.
The 4 most important advantages of the platform:
- Certificate of conformity: The platform shows you whether a "kot" has an official certificate (conformity certificate), which guarantees that the property has been checked by the authorities for fire safety and living standards.
- Model contract: Trusted landlords use the model contract provided by Kotatgent, which complies 100% with Flemish student rental legislation and eliminates abusive clauses.
- Free legal assistance: If you have a conflict with the owner related to the guarantee, repairs or expenses, the administrative team offers you free legal advice.
- Advanced search filters: You can select exactly the desired options, such as the duration of the contract (12 months or short stays), the exact price or amenities such as private bathroom or internet access.
How the search works on Kotatgent:
1. Database: Kotatgent works as an administrative search engine, not as a real estate agency. The platform does not rent rooms directly and does not charge commissions.
2. Contacting the owner: You find the room on the site, and to book it you must click on the "Contact landlord" button to contact the owner by email or phone.
3. Signing and payment: The final interaction, signing the digital contract and paying the deposit are done directly with the owner, using anti-fraud security rules.
HousingAnywhere Belgium
is a major international platform for medium and long-term rentals, heavily used by students, expats and young professionals. Unlike traditional local sites, it operates exclusively online and focuses on remote bookings.
Main features of the platform
- 100% online booking: The process is completely digital, eliminating the need for physical viewings before signing the contract.
- Tenant protection: The first month's rent is blocked by the platform and transferred to the owner only 48 hours after moving in, if the property matches the description.
- Coverage in major cities: It is strongly present in student and economic hubs such as Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Liège, Leuven or Mechelen.
- Verified landlords: The landlords' profiles are verified to reduce the risk of scams, providing an extra level of security.
- Student discounts: Through official partnerships (such as the one with ESN Belgium), students can benefit from a 15% discount on the booking fee.
