Finding Affordable Apartments in Europe
Updated October 2026 · first published March 2026
Renting in a new country means new websites, new rules and new ways to get caught out. This guide covers where to look, what the law lets a landlord ask for, and how to spot a scam.
Where to look
| Country | Sites |
|---|---|
| Norway | Finn.no, Hybel.no |
| Germany | ImmoScout24; WG-Gesucht for shared flats |
| Netherlands | Pararius, Funda |
| France | Leboncoin, SeLoger |
| Spain, Italy, Portugal | Idealista |
| Italy | Immobiliare.it |
| Poland | Otodom |
| Czechia | Sreality |
| Hungary | Ingatlan.com |
| Romania | Imobiliare.ro |
Spotahome and HousingAnywhere let you rent before you arrive, with listings checked by the site. Airbnb works for the first weeks while you look.
Deposits and agent fees: what the law says
Most countries cap the deposit by law. Ask for anything above the cap back.
| Country | Largest deposit allowed | The law |
|---|---|---|
| Norway | Six months' rent, paid into a deposit account in the tenant's name | Husleieloven § 3-5 |
| Germany | Three months' rent without service charges, payable in three instalments | BGB § 551 |
| Italy | Three months' rent, earning interest for the tenant | Law 392/1978, art. 11 |
| Netherlands | Two months' basic rent, for contracts from 1 July 2023 | Rijksoverheid |
| France | One month's rent unfurnished, two furnished | Service-Public.fr |
| Spain | One month's rent, plus at most two more as extra guarantee on most leases | Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos, art. 36 |
In Norway, a deposit paid straight into the landlord's own account is not a deposit account; insist on the proper kind, which banks set up for both of you.
Agent fees. In Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, the tenant does not pay the agent the landlord hired. In Germany an agent may charge you only if you hired them yourself (WoVermittG § 2); in Spain, agency and contract costs cannot be passed on to the tenant at all (LAU, art. 20). Elsewhere, ask before you view who pays the agent and how much.
Utilities are usually on top of the rent: electricity, heating, water, internet, and sometimes building charges. Ask what is included before comparing two flats.
What rent costs
Few countries publish rents by city in a form that compares. Norway's statistics office does:
| Place | 1 room | 2 rooms | 3 rooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oslo & Bærum | 10,090 kr (€959) | 15,260 kr (€1,450) | 19,030 kr (€1,808) |
| Bergen | 7,510 kr (€714) | 11,870 kr (€1,128) | 13,720 kr (€1,304) |
| Trondheim | 11,850 kr (€1,126) | 14,430 kr (€1,371) | |
| Stavanger | 11,400 kr (€1,083) | 13,630 kr (€1,295) | |
| All of Norway | 8,770 kr (€833) | 11,790 kr (€1,120) | 13,910 kr (€1,322) |
Average monthly rent, 2025, Statistics Norway table 09895. Euros at the ECB rate of 20 October 2026.
For the rest of Europe, Eurostat's price level for housing and utilities shows how a country compares, though not what a flat costs:
| Country | Housing & utilities against the EU average |
|---|---|
| Serbia | 61% below |
| Bulgaria | 59% below |
| Poland | 48% below |
| Romania | 46% below |
| Hungary | 33% below |
| Portugal | 19% below |
| Spain | 2% below |
| Czechia | 7% above |
| Norway | 8% above |
| Germany | 14% above |
| Netherlands | 34% above |
Big cities cost more than these national figures: in Norway, two rooms in Oslo rent for 29% more than the national average.
Documents to have ready
- Passport or national ID card
- Proof of income: an employment contract or recent payslips
- Bank statements showing you can pay
- References from a previous landlord
- A credit check, in some countries
From outside the EU and EEA you will also need your residence permit or visa, and some landlords ask for a larger deposit, within the legal cap. Keep everything as PDFs, ready to send the day you see a flat you like.
Tips
Before you arrive 1. Compare rents on the city's main site for a week, so you know a fair price. 2. Join local Facebook groups for rentals and newcomers. 3. Set up alerts on more than one site; good flats go in a day.
Negotiating - Rent is sometimes negotiable, especially for a longer lease. - Moving in winter, outside the student rush in August and September, gives you more choice.
Red flags - Asked to pay before you have seen the flat or the landlord - No written contract - The owner cannot show ID or proof they own or may let the flat - A price far below everything else in the area - A deposit paid to the landlord's own account where the law says otherwise
Finding the right flat takes time. Be patient, and do not rush into anything that feels wrong.