Renting is total independence. No one checks what time you got home, no one feeds you on a schedule, and no one asks you to turn the music down after eleven. You decide where to live, with whom, and on what terms. This option is for those who are already settled and don't want to answer to anyone.

It's mostly students aged 20 and over who are staying long‑term — from six months onwards. According to European data, around 40–50% of international bachelor's and master's students rent flats or rooms. In Germany, the figure is about 39% — student dormitories are in very short supply, so many have to look for private housing. In Spain and Italy, the figure is also above 50%. In the UK, the private rental sector accounts for 56% of student housing, while in the US, 78% of students live off‑campus — though universities actively offer campus housing for first‑year students. On short language courses, renting is almost unheard of — too much hassle with contracts and logistics.

There are several options. You can rent a whole apartment — a studio or with 1–2 bedrooms. You can find a room in a shared flat (in Germany, this is called a WG). There's also short‑term rental, but that's more like a hotel. The apartment has everything you need: a kitchen, bathroom, washing machine, fridge, and stove. Furniture is usually provided — bed, table, chairs, wardrobe. Internet is either already connected or set up independently.

Rental contracts are usually signed for at least six months, more often a year. A deposit is paid on moving in — usually equivalent to 1–2 months' rent. It's returned when you move out, provided the flat is in good condition. Utilities (electricity, water, heating) are either included in the rent or paid separately. In some countries, renting without local credit history or proof of income can be difficult — students are often helped by parents or through special guarantee schemes.

Renting offers a level of freedom other formats don't. You can live with friends or a partner, choose your area, and not have to adjust to others' routines. It's often cheaper than a dormitory, especially if you're sharing between two or three people. And most importantly — you feel less like a guest and more like someone who actually lives there. With all the daily chores, responsibility, and rights that come with it.