Universities in Finland are not responsible for the accommodation of students and do not offer on campus accommodation or dormatories. Students must themselves apply for housing before arrival. Below you find advice for applying for housing and a couple of recommendations on where to start looking for accommodation.
Please apply for housing before arriving in Finland. Preferably you begin looking for housing as soon as you have received admission and accepted your place study or 3 months before you need the lease to begin.
Note, most long-term housing offers require you to pay a deposit before moving in. The deposit is usually 1-2 months rent, paid before your lease starts and refunded to you when you move out.
It is also strongly recommended that you get a Finnish home insurance policy before moving in. Some housing requires an insurance policy of you before you get the keys.
Autumn is a busy time on the housing market, due to both Turku and Vaasa being university cities. Getting accommodation if you start looking in August-September might be difficult so start the search in time!
Student housing
- TYS – The Turku Student Village Foundation
- An independent foundation that provides housing for students in the Turku region
- TYS offers a wide selection of different housing options around Turku, studios, shared apartments, and larger family apartments.
- Some furnished apartments offered, indicate that in your application form.
- Read about what equipment the apartments come with.
- Read more about how to apply
- Application for an apartment is done via an electronic form on their website.
- You must confirm that you are a student in order to apply, use your admission letter.
- Tavasthem
- The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University administers accommodation for students in Tavasthem located on the campus of Åbo Akademi University.
- The minimum time for renting the flats is one year.
- Contact information: uthyrningar@studentkaren.fi or on +358 (0)2 215 4650.
Renting an apartment
If you do not want to live in student housing or are unable to get housing in student accommodation – there is other options. Apartments for rent can be found via the city, real estate agents or private landlords. Do note that this type of accommodation often is more expensive per month that student housing.
Places to look:
- TVT ASUNNOT – TVT Asunnot Oy is a real estate company owned by the City of Turku. TVT offers safe and affordable rental homes. There is a wide variety of residential options in blocks of flats, terraced houses and small private homes throughout Turku.
- Åbo Akademi University Foundation (Stiftelsen för Åbo Akademi)
The Åbo Akademi University Foundation, a foundation independent from Åbo Akademi University, maintains and funds institutes, museums and establishments within research and culture, and awards scholarships, grants, contributions and prizes. The Foundation owns and manages university properties, commercial properties, and rental flats (information in Swedish). - vuokraovi.com
- LUMO
For tips on how to sign a rental agreement and what you should consider when renting an apartment on the private market, please see for example the information provided by vuokraovi.com at the ABC of renting.
There are also Facebook groups dealing with accommodation in the Turku area, for example Turku New Students Accommodation & Orientation, Vuokra-asunnot Turku and Turun omatoiminen asuntovälitys.
Please note that the demand for private market flats is quite high in the beginning of the autumn term and it might be hard to get offered an apartment.
Short time housing
Short time housing is generally much more expensive than long term rentals since it is meant to be only for a short time.
- Housing Anywhere
- Sign-up here to receive a Åbo Akademi VIP profile on HousingAnywhere.com: https://housinganywhere.com/Turku–Finland/åbo-akademi/sign-up
- As a student, intern, PhD candidate, researcher, or visiting professors of Åbo Akademi you are entitled to priority access to all accommodation available on HousingAnywhere.com. The platform allows you to choose from rooms listed by local students or verified landlords and securely book prior to your arrival.
- Forenom
- private agency specializing in offering temporary accommodation for shorter periods.
- Forenom can offer a lot of different options, but the rents are also higher.
- Naantali City Apartments
- Naantali City Apartments offers temporary accommodation and monthly rentals.
- The Brigettine Sisters Monastery Guesthouse
- The Brigettine Sisters’ Monastery of Turku is a small catholic monastery. Located in the centre of Turku
- Other options:
Student Housing
- VOAS – Student Housing Foundation in Vasa
- An independent foundation that provides housing for students
- offers a selection of different housing options: studios, shared apartments, and larger apartments.
- Some furnished apartments
- Read more about how to apply
- You must confirm that you are a student in order to apply, use your admission letter.
- Lärkan
- Student apartments 1.2 km from the university, close to the railway station and the city centre.
- The apartments in Lärkan are usually shared, but students have a private bedroom and bathroom. The apartments are furnished, but only with the basics (bed, chair, closet, table). Please note that bedlinen and curtains are not included.
- Finnish home insurance policy required before moving in, you need to provide proof of having home insurance before picking up the keys.
- Read more about the apartments and how to apply.
Renting an apartment
If you do not want to live in student housing or are unable to get housing in student accommodation – there is other options. Apartments for rent can be found via the city, real estate agents or private landlords. Do note that this type of accommodation often is more expensive per month that student housing.
Places to look:
For tips on how to sign a rental agreement and what you should consider when renting an apartment on the private market, please see for example the information provided by vuokraovi.com at the ABC of renting.
See also the City of Vaasa’s guide to accommodation.
Please note that the demand for private market flats is quite high in the beginning of the autumn term and it might be hard to get offered an apartment.
Short time housing
Short time housing is generally much more expensive than long term rentals since it is meant to be only for a short time.
- Housing Anywhere
- Sign-up here to receive a Åbo Akademi VIP profile on HousingAnywhere.com: https://housinganywhere.com/Turku–Finland/åbo-akademi/sign-up
- As a student, intern, PhD candidate, researcher, or visiting professors of Åbo Akademi you are entitled to priority access to all accommodation available on HousingAnywhere.com. The platform allows you to choose from rooms listed by local students or verified landlords and securely book prior to your arrival.
- Other options: