Renting to an Erasmus student in Belgium: specificities
Renting your property to an Erasmus student in Belgium. Suitable lease, guarantee, address registration, insurance and legal specificities for foreign students.
Which lease for an Erasmus student
The Erasmus student has a specific need: temporary accommodation (4 to 10 months) in a country where they have no rental history. The choice of lease depends on the Region:
| Region | Recommended lease type | Duration | Notice period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flanders | Student lease (studentenhuisvesting) | 1-12 months | 2 months |
| Brussels | Short-term lease | 1-12 months | 2 months (2026 reform) |
| Wallonia | Short-term lease | 1-12 months | 3 months |
For a 5-month Erasmus stay (February to June), a 5 or 6-month lease is ideal. The lease must specify the exact end date and provide for remote return arrangements.
For the rules of the student lease in Belgium, see our dedicated guide.
The lease can be drafted in English or bilingually (FR/EN or NL/EN) if the tenant does not speak the local language. The version in the Region’s language prevails in case of dispute.
Guarantees and payment arrangements
Rental deposit
| Option | Feasibility for an Erasmus student |
|---|---|
| Blocked account in Belgium | Complex (account opening required) |
| Transfer to landlord’s account | Possible but risky for the student |
| Bank guarantee from home country | Possible but rare |
| Parental guarantee | Recommended (parents as joint guarantors) |
The most practical solution: a parental guarantee from the student’s parents. Even if the parents are abroad, the guarantee is valid. Enforcement will be more complex if problems arise but it is a sign of seriousness.
Rent payment
- International transfer: SEPA if the student has a European account (free)
- Advance payment: some landlords request payment of the entire period in advance (legal but disadvantageous for the tenant)
- Monthly payment: preferable, by SEPA transfer
Insurance
The home insurance from the home country sometimes covers the temporary dwelling. Otherwise, travel or campus insurance may include housing cover. Check the conditions before signing.
Administrative steps
Registration at the municipality
For a stay > 3 months, the European student must register at the municipality:
- Go to the municipality with passport/identity card + university enrolment certificate
- Obtain an Annex 19 (registration application certificate)
- Receive the visit from the neighbourhood officer
- Obtain the E card (right of residence as an EU citizen)
Lease registration
The lease must be registered at the FPS Finance (free). This is a legal obligation that protects the student in case of sale of the property.
At the end of the stay
- Move-out property inventory (can be done by an agent if the student has already left)
- Key return
- Release of the deposit
- Deregistration at the municipality (the student must report their departure)
Practical advice
For the landlord
- Simplify the steps: the student does not know the Belgian system
- Offer a bilingual lease (FR/EN or NL/EN)
- Accept the cross-border parental guarantee (more flexible than the blocked account)
- Provide for a simplified property inventory with photos (the student may not be present at move-out)
- Adjust the rent: Erasmus students have a limited budget (Erasmus grant ~300-400 EUR/month)
For the Erasmus student
- Request a written lease even for a short stay
- Photograph everything on arrival (property inventory)
- Register at the municipality as soon as you arrive
- Check your insurance cover (EHIC for health, home insurance for the dwelling)
- Keep payment evidence (bank statements)
To create a lease suited to international students, use our online lease generator. A rental management software facilitates remote management. For other cases, see our case studies.