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

Short answer: Amstelveen is the VU’s backyard. The Uilenstede student campus is in Amstelveen, about five minutes by bike from the Vrije Universiteit, and around 3,400 students live there. Many more look for a room or apartment nearby, because Amstelveen is quieter and closer to campus than most of Amsterdam. Renting a whole home to one or two students is straightforward; renting rooms to more people needs two permits.

The student market in Amstelveen

Amstelveen has no university of its own, but it borders one of the largest: the VU campus in Amsterdam-Zuid is just across the municipal border. Uilenstede, run by student housing provider DUWO, is the main campus where VU students live, but its waiting lists are long. Students who cannot get a room there look for private rentals in the surrounding streets.

Trams 5 and 25 connect Amstelveen to the Zuidas, Amsterdam Zuid station and the city centre, so UvA and HvA students also consider Amstelveen when Amsterdam is out of reach.

Where students want to live in Amstelveen

• Around Uilenstede and Kronenburg: the closest streets to the VU, within a few minutes by bike.
• Along tram lines 5 and 25: Stadshart, Oranjebaan and Westwijk are popular for their direct connection to Amsterdam.
• Randwijck and Elsrijk: green, quiet and close to the Amsterdamse Bos, popular with older students and PhD candidates.

Amstelveen rules to check first

• Renting rooms: renting a home to three or four adults who are not one household needs two permits, an omgevingsvergunning and an omzettingsvergunning. Each room must be at least 10 m², the shared living space at least 15 m², and every tenant must be registered at the address. Five or more adults is not allowed.
• Limits per street: Amstelveen also limits the number of shared homes per street, building and neighbourhood.
• Buy-to-let protection: for homes with a WOZ value up to €576,000 bought on or after 1 July 2022, a rental permit is needed in the first four years.

The full local rules are in our Amstelveen landlord guide.

The contract in brief: students who move to Amstelveen 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 Amstelveen

• A whole apartment for one or two students avoids the room rental permits and is the easiest to let.
• Distance to the VU is the main selling point: mention cycling time in your listing.
• PhD candidates and master’s students often look for a quiet, furnished studio for one or two years, which fits a fixed-term contract well.
• Bike storage and a good internet connection are on every student’s list.

Renting to students in Amstelveen: frequently asked questions

How close is Amstelveen to the VU?

Very close. The Uilenstede campus in Amstelveen is about five minutes by bike from the VU, and many streets in Amstelveen are within ten minutes.

Do I need a permit to rent rooms to students in Amstelveen?

Yes, for three or four adults who are not one household you need two permits. Five or more adults is not allowed. Renting the whole home to one or two students needs no room rental permit.

Who rents student homes in Amstelveen?

Mostly VU students, master’s students and PhD candidates, and UvA students who use tram 5 or 25.

Can I rent to a student if my home has buy-to-let protection?

Only with a rental permit, and only in specific situations. Check this first; we can do it for you.

Can I rent out my Amstelveen 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

• Vrije Universiteit: finding housing (Uilenstede)
• Gemeente Amstelveen: woningdelen
• PONT Omgeving: Landelijke Monitor Studentenhuisvesting 2026 (Sept 2026)
• CMS: the Fixed Rental Contracts Act in practice (student exception)