Homestay Rental for expats in North Brabant: Gain ánd Give Back!

Finding a place to live as an international in the Netherlands isn’t always easy. But what if you could now help others in the same situation?

Finding a place to live as an international in the Netherlands isn’t always easy. Most expats still remember what it was like to arrive in a new country - unfamiliar language, culture shock, and a housing market that feels impossible to break into. But what if you could now help others in the same situation?

Enter homestay rental - or hospitaverhuur, as it’s called in Dutch. It’s an increasingly popular way for locals and internationals to share space, meet people, and bridge the housing gap. And if you live in Noord-Brabant, you can be part of it - whether you’re in Eindhoven, Tilburg, 's-Hertogenbosch, or a smaller town nearby.

What is homestay rental?

Homestay rental means renting out a furnished room in your own home to someone - often an international student, researcher or young professional - for a temporary stay. It's a flexible and social alternative to traditional rentals, and it’s growing fast across the Netherlands.

Hospi Housing, a national platform that supports hosts and tenants, has been working closely with municipalities like Eindhoven, Tilburg, and others in the region to make homestay rental more accessible and better supported.

Since 2022, over 4,000 room seekers have signed up in the Eindhoven region alone, and room listings are expanding across the province. Whether you live in the city or in a nearby village, homestay rental can work for you.

Why is this ideal for expats?

As an expat, you’ve been in the shoes of a newcomer. You know how valuable it is to meet someone local, get help navigating Dutch systems, or just have a friendly face in the house. Now, you can provide that soft landing - all while enjoying real benefits:

For many hosts, the greatest reward isn’t financial. In interviews, Eindhoven hosts shared that their top motivations were: making use of unused space (54%), meeting new people, helping others, and enjoying social contact. One host said: “It’s not about the money. It’s about sharing your home and your world.”

Homestay rental offers benefits to both hosts and tenants, leading to unique experiences

Who are the room seekers?

Most people looking for rooms in Brabant are international students or young professionals - often between 18 and 25 years old. In Eindhoven, for example, the majority are studying at TU/e, Fontys, or Design Academy. Many come from countries like India, Italy, Spain, and France. A significant number say they’re looking for more than just a roof over their head - they’re looking for connection.

More than half of room seekers say they’d love to occasionally eat together, share a coffee, or get to know their host. That makes expats - who know what it’s like to adapt - ideal hosts.

Real impact, real demand

In Eindhoven alone, 60 homestay matches were made in 2024 via Hospi Housing, and dozens more through other channels. Tilburg and other towns are following closely behind, with growing interest and media attention. National campaigns and local events (such as open days and city-hosted info sessions) have helped put homestay rental back on the map - and show its power to connect people across cultures.

A win-win for Brabant’s international community

Homestay rental helps solve a very real problem - the housing shortage - but it does so in a uniquely personal and positive way. It creates affordable, safe housing for newcomers, and offers locals (and internationals!) a meaningful, social, and flexible way to contribute.

So if you have a spare room - or know someone who does - consider opening your home to an international student or newcomer. Whether you live in bustling Eindhoven, Tilburg or a quieter Brabant city or village, you can make a difference.

For more information, create a free account or contact the team at Holland Expat Center South.