To find accommodation in Padua during their university studies, students have the possibility to stay in university residences, which can be either private or managed by ESU(the Regional Agency for the Right to University Education), or to look for a rental apartment, possibly shared with other people.
In the ESU residences, accommodation is assigned through a public selection process. The call for applications, which includes information about eligibility requirements and deadlines, is published every year at the beginning of summer on the website. Prices are calculated based on the applicant’s academic merit, the economic situation of their household, the facilities available, and the chosen residence.
Students can also apply to private colleges and dormitories, some of which have agreements with ESU. In these cases, access, duration of stay, and services are independently managed by each institution.
Thanks to a partnership with the Municipality of Padua and ESU, students can also take part in the intergenerational cohabitation project, which promotes a bond between students and Padua residents over the age of 65, based on a regular rental contract. Information about the project and how to join can be found on the Progetto Giovani website.
Students also have the option of turning to the private rental market, where they may benefit from specific types of rental agreements offering particularly advantageous conditions for both landlords and tenants.
For short stays, ESU also offers a guest accommodation service, designed for university students and their families visiting Padua and its surroundings.
Finally, for international students, the University of Padua has signed agreements with some private residences to reserve a number of places for them. Each residence offers different prices, conditions, and services (such as half-board or full-board options).
Many accommodations are reserved to international students, for which there is also an International Housing Office. Furthermore, a competition is held every year for the allocation of ESU accommodation.
The International Housing Office of the University of Padua aims at supporting international students who comes to Padua for a Bachelor's or Master's degree programme with a wide array of services, such as:
orientation in the private accommodation market;
English translation of the contracts and explanation of their content;
help in finding suitable accommodation, according to individual needs;
support in dealing with accommodation paperwork (declaration of hospitality, tenancy agreement, etc.)
ESU provides accommodation for students from outside Padua in its halls of residence, which are situated in the city centre or near to the university buildings. University guesthouses are also available for short term stays. Accommodation in halls of residence is governed by a competition. All the information about requirements and deadlines can be found every year from the beginning of July in the ESU's website. Prices are calculated according to student merit, family means, and the on-site facilities. University guesthouses are open from October to the end of July. The prices and quality of the rooms make them a competitive option for students, teachers and researchers in search of short term accommodation.
Students who fall into the category of off-site and commuter enrolled/enrolling in bachelor's degree programmes (three-year), master's degree programmes (two-year), single-cycle master's degree programmes, PhD programmes, and specialisation schools (non-medical area) are eligible to participate in the ESU Housing Competition.
The benefit is granted only for the achievement of the first degree for each level of study and on a priority basis to off-site students who meet the relevant merit and income requirements.
To determine their status as living away from home or commuting, students must strictly refer to the Table of geographical distances published by the ESU and the University.
To access accommodation at full or reduced rates, applicants must meet the following requirements:
irst-year students: income requirements only (as certified by ISEE/ISEE Parificato Universitario)
subsequent years: merit requirements (as of 10 August 2025) and income (as certified by ISEE/ISEE Parificato Universitario)
Online application
Starting at 10:00 a.m. on 4 July 2025, applications can be submitted by the deadlines indicated below, exclusively through the ESU Padova online services on the institutional portal Sportello studente.
Deadlines for submitting online applications:
Subsequent years: students/PhD students/specialisation students (not in the medical field): 19 August 2025 (10 a.m.)
First years: EU/international students/PhD students/specialisation students (not in the medical field): 26 August 2025 (10 a.m.)
Merit requirements (credits) must be met by 10 August 2025.
ESU welcomes international guests, primarily from non-EU countries, to Padua. These guests are typically associated with the academic world and are travelling for study, teaching, or research purposes. The facilities are modern and well-equipped, located near the main university campuses and conveniently connected to the city centre.
The accommodation options range from rooms to suites, with weekly or monthly stay formulas, up to a maximum of 6 months. Additional services, which may vary by location, are designed to ensure a comfortable stay and include reception, Internet connection, laundry, and much more.
The ESU foresterie are located at the Agripoliscampus in Legnaro, and in Padua at the Copernico, Luzzatti, and Villa Liberty "foresterie".
Severalplaces are available in the University residence hall "Copernico"from August until September, for students wishing to arrive before the beginning of classes.
Places will be assigned in order of request.
The University residence hall "Copernico" is located in via Tiepolo n 54 (10 minutes walk away from the main squares) and it offers single bedrooms with adjoining bathroom (2 rooms sharing a bathroom).
In order to book the temporary accommodation it is necessary to:
pay the whole amount. Reimbursements are allowed only for cancellations occurred no later than 15 days before the planned check in date
register on the ESU website and fill out the summer accommodation form, selecting the 2024/2025 academic year and clicking on the button "Request for Alloggio estivo - Summer accommodation."
Private colleges and Catholic University Colleges
Students can also book accommodation at one of the private colleges in Padua, which they will need to contact independently. Unipd has signed multiple agreements with some private colleges in order to reserve some places for international students.
The University of Padova has signed multiple agreements with some private colleges in order to reserve some places for international students. Each college applies different prices and conditions and includes different services (e.g. half/full board): please check the fact sheets below. If you wish to benefit from this opportunity, please contact directly the college you are interested in. For general information, please contact the Global Engagement Office - Admissions and Welcome Unit (housing@unipd.it).
The Housing Office of the University of Padua supports international students arriving in Padua to attend an entire course of study through a wide range of services, such as:
orientation within the private sector housing market;
English translation of contracts and explanation of their content;
search for accommodation adapted to your personal needs;
filling in the documents necessary for the accommodation (declaration of hospitality, lease, etc.)
Student residence located in Rovigo next to the university building (CUR) in Viale Porta Adige.
It disposes of fully equipped apartments reserved exclusively for students, PhD students, teacher and students’ parents. For more information and bookings please fill in the form.
Rental agreements are divided into two categories:
liberi (long-term) contracts lasting 4 years that are renewable for another 4 years (4 + 4)
concertati (conventional) contracts lasting 3 years with the possibility of renewing for another 2 years (3 + 2). Such contracts generally have a lower rent than the market price and allow property owners to claim some tax benefits.
Private accommodation in Padua can also be booked before your arrival via HousingAnywhere, an international housing platform for students, PhD candidates and trainees. HousingAnywhere allows you to safely book a room from verified owners.
The Municipality of Padua promotes the second edition of the intergenerational cohabitation project in response to the significant increase in rental prices, and the number of requests for affordable accommodations from Unipd students.
For further information or to receive support in completing the form, a dedicated desk is available at the Youth Project office (Progetto Giovani), on the second floor of the Altinate San Gaetano Cultural Centre. The desk is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Thursdays from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
