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REPORT

European Student Living Monitor 2025

Country Highlights

Explore the Country Highlights section to discover key facts and notable aspects that highlight each country's unique situation

Respondents by countries:

Finland

711

Netherlands

741

Denmark

416

Sweden

534

Ireland

616

Austria

972

Spain

2,703

Italy

372

Germany

752

Iceland

293

United Kingdom

4,819

Belgium

178

Poland

212

Portugal

128

France

315

Other

397

Finland

711

Netherlands

741

Denmark

416

Sweden

534

Ireland

616

Austria

972

Spain

2,703

Italy

372

Germany

752

Iceland

293

United Kingdom

4,819

Belgium

178

Poland

212

Portugal

128

France

315

Other

397

At the Country Level

The research at the country level suggests some powerful findings about accommodation types, services and facilities which have the most positive impact on students.

The findings from Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands are of particular interest as these countries report the most positive impact of living environment on well-being.

The countries where mental health was reported as the best are Germany, Austria and Italy. The countries where respondents felt the greatest impact from their living environment are Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Spain, the Netherlands and Portugal are also the countries where respondents were most likely to recommend their accommodation

Country highlights

Explore country snapshots across Europe. For more in-depth reporting, visit our interactive open-source dashboard

Availability and choice

The effects of different accommodation types

Consistently, we found more positive living experience reported by those staying in PBSA, who average an MHI-5 score of 58.4 when compared to those in other types of accommodation at 56.2.

Those living at home have a much lower score of just 51.1 If they were forced to live with parents /at home due to due to lack of alternatives, the MHI-5 score drops to 44.3. If they couldn’t move out due to financial constraints, MHI5 falls further to 42.6.

What best describes the type of accommodation you currently live in?

WHAT DO STUDENTS SAY

Living in PBSA: I moved from a more rural area of the UK, having access to a wide variety of new experiences and people has helped a lot with my mental well-being. The sense of independence and security from the accommodation has also helped. Male, Domestic, UK, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 7*

Feeling safe, living with friends and having all of those facilities is very important to me. Living in a city centre also makes my life so much easier. Also, the staff here is super nice and helpful. I can socialise as much as I want in the common areas, but when I feel the need to be alone i have the comfort of my own private apartment. I really appreciate everything about this place, it truly feels like a second home to me. Female, Domestic, Poland, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 10*

Living at home: Living with a family is never easy, many freedoms are missing and the desire for independence is felt. Female, Domestic, Italy, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 5*

*Respondents were asked to rate the impact of their living environment on their mental well-being, from a scale 0 to 10, where "0" represents a "very negative impact" and "10" represents a "very positive impact."

Achieving first choice accommodation

27% of students who didn’t get their first choice of accommodation report lower wellbeing (MHI 5: 54) versus those that did (59.6). This is almost an identical response across the three survey years, which highlights the stark difference between the happiness of those who obtain their first-choice accommodation and those who do not.

Impact of first-choice of accommodation:

Students who didn’t get their first choice are affected differently based on the reasons for not obtaining their preferred accommodation. Where respondents couldn’t afford their first choice (23% out of those who didn’t get first choice), mental health was the worst at MHI-5 score of 49.1. The biggest reason for not getting first choice was the preferred option being unavailable. 51% of the students who didn’t get their first choice, cited unavailability as a reason.

WHAT DO STUDENTS SAY

Got first choice: I used to have horrible housing during my bachelors. It took a big toll on my mental health and I was really burned out. My life now in Vienna is amazing! I absolutely am so grateful for my accommodation and its management it truly feels like home! - Female, International, Austria , impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 10*

Didn’t get first choice due to unavailability: I was unable to get private accommodation and was forced to pay more than I was comfortable with for a shared flat 45 minutes away from school. I was quite depressed. - Female, International, United Kingdom, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 1*

Didn’t get first choice due to affordability: I want to move out but I cannot afford it. I live far away from my friends. Male, domestic, Ireland, impact of accommodation on wellbeing score 3*

*Respondents were asked to rate the impact of their living environment on their mental well-being, from a scale 0 to 10, where "0" represents a "very negative impact" and "10" represents a "very positive impact."

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Interested in getting involved or curious to learn more? Please contact our Research Manager, Arunima Dey at arunima@theclassfoundation.com

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