Last updated: October 2026 · Written by Erdal Aydın, founder of Amsterdam Property Renting

Short answer: Almere is becoming a student city. It has its own campuses of Windesheim and Aeres, and because Amsterdam has the tightest student housing market in the country, Almere is increasingly where Amsterdam students live: the city, the UvA, VU, Windesheim and Aeres agreed to build a large student campus in Almere’s centre, partly for Amsterdam students. Homes in Almere are larger, and the train takes about 21 minutes to Amsterdam Centraal. Renting up to two rooms needs no permit here.

The student market in Almere

• Local students: Windesheim and Aeres have campuses in Almere, mainly for applied sciences programmes.
• Amsterdam students: in 2021, Almere, the UvA, VU, Windesheim and Aeres signed an agreement for a campus of about 1,250 student homes in the city centre, with hundreds reserved for UvA and VU students. That shows how far the Amsterdam shortage now reaches.
• Commuting students: with direct trains to Amsterdam Centraal, Amsterdam Zuid and Utrecht, students who study elsewhere can live in Almere and still reach campus quickly.

Where students want to live in Almere

• Almere Centrum: close to the station, the Windesheim and Aeres campuses, shops and nightlife.
• Near Almere Muziekwijk, Almere Parkwijk and Almere Buiten stations: a short walk or bike ride to the train.
• Almere Poort: the closest district to Amsterdam, popular with students who commute there.

Almere rules to check first

• Renting rooms: renting out up to two rooms does not need a permit, and each room may house one person. Three or four rooms need a permit, with conditions such as an average of 25 m² per room; more than four rooms is not allowed. We check the current rules for your address.
• Buy-to-let protection: if you bought your home after 24 May 2022 and its WOZ value is €470,000 or less, you need a rental permit in the first four years. That covers most homes in Almere.
• Empty homes: Almere plans a vacancy tax from 2027 for homes that stand empty for more than a year.

The full local rules are in our Almere landlord guide.

The contract in brief: students who move to Almere to study can be given a fixed-term contract of up to two years (our Model B contract), but special conditions apply. Read the full explanation in renting to students in the Netherlands, or ask us to check your situation.

What works best in Almere

• Two students sharing a larger home is a strong fit: it needs no room rental permit and gives students far more space than in Amsterdam.
• Distance to a station matters more than in Amsterdam: mention walking time to the train in your listing.
• Furnished homes attract international students who cannot find a room in Amsterdam.
• Value for money is Almere’s strongest argument: compare your rent with the Amsterdam room average of about €950.

Renting to students in Almere: frequently asked questions

Is there demand from students in Almere?

Yes. Almere has its own Windesheim and Aeres campuses, and more Amsterdam students look in Almere because of the shortage in Amsterdam.

How many rooms can I rent out in Almere without a permit?

Up to two rooms, one person per room. For three or four rooms you need a permit; more than four is not allowed.

How long does it take to get from Almere to Amsterdam?

About 21 minutes by train from Almere Centrum to Amsterdam Centraal.

Does buy-to-let protection affect renting to students in Almere?

It can. Homes bought after 24 May 2022 with a WOZ value up to €470,000 need a rental permit in the first four years, and only in specific situations.

Can I rent out my Almere home to students temporarily?

Often, yes, with our Model B contract for up to two years, if the special conditions are met.

This page gives general information, not legal advice. Rules and conditions change; check your own situation with us or an adviser before you sign.

Sources

• NH Nieuws: student campus in Almere for UvA and VU students (2021)
• PONT Omgeving: room rental rules in Almere
• Gemeente Almere: opkoopbescherming
• PONT Omgeving: Landelijke Monitor Studentenhuisvesting 2026 (Sept 2026)
• NL Times: student room rents by city, Kamernet Q2 2026 (July 2026)
• CMS: the Fixed Rental Contracts Act in practice (student exception)