Guides

Submit your search and let Socials do the rest. In the meantime, here's everything you need to find a home in your new city.

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Verified housing in 119 cities across Europe

See what's open right now in your city, pulled live from 2,000+ housing sites.

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Short-stay vs long-stay housing: how to choose based on your situation (2026)Tips

Featured guide

Short-stay vs long-stay housing: how to choose based on your situation (2026)

The honest decision guide for housing contract length. When 5 to 6 months beats 12, when long-stay saves money, and the five questions to answer before booking.

Read guide12 min read
The cheapest cities in Europe in 2026 (ranked by real monthly budget)Tips

The cheapest cities in Europe in 2026 (ranked by real monthly budget)

15 European cities ranked by realistic total monthly budget, from Sofia (€650) to Amsterdam (€1,600). Rent, food, transport and social life included, not rent alone.

10 min readRead guide
Housing in the Czech Republic: a complete guide for internationals (2026)Tips

Housing in the Czech Republic: a complete guide for internationals (2026)

Housing in the Czech Republic 2026 for internationals. Prague prices (€250 to €700), Brno, the agency commission trap, Czech koruna, visas, and how to book before the midsummer rush.

10 min readRead guide
Housing in Latvia: a complete guide for internationals (2026)Tips

Housing in Latvia: a complete guide for internationals (2026)

Housing in Latvia 2026. Riga prices (€280 to €600), neighbourhoods, the informal rental market, address registration, the winter heating reality, and how to book safely from abroad.

11 min readRead guide
How to find housing as a non-EU international in Europe (2026)Moving & paperwork

How to find housing as a non-EU international in Europe (2026)

The practical 2026 guide for non-EU internationals renting in Europe. The visa and housing bind, the cancellation reality, documents you need, and the most accessible cities.

12 min readRead guide
Housing in Central and Eastern Europe: why more internationals are choosing it (2026)Tips

Housing in Central and Eastern Europe: why more internationals are choosing it (2026)

Budapest, Riga, Prague, Warsaw, Krakow, Tallinn. Real budgets for internationals (€800 to €1,050/month), housing markets, and honest trade-offs. The 2026 CEE guide.

12 min readRead guide
Housing in Hungary: a complete guide for internationals (2026)Tips

Housing in Hungary: a complete guide for internationals (2026)

Housing in Hungary 2026 for internationals. Budapest prices (€300 to €650), districts, the rental market's quirks, address registration, banking in forint, and the best transit deal in Europe.

12 min readRead guide
How to settle into a new city as an international: the first 30 days (2026)Tips

How to settle into a new city as an international: the first 30 days (2026)

Week-by-week guide for internationals arriving in a new European city. Address registration, banking, SIM, social connection, and what settled actually looks like at day 30.

17 min readRead guide
Erasmus 2026: everything you need to know before you goTips

Erasmus 2026: everything you need to know before you go

Erasmus+ grant amounts 2026/2027 (€530 to €580 per month), how to find safe housing, EHIC explained, banking, packing, first-week admin. The honest mega-guide.

18 min readRead guide
Co-living for internationals: what it is, what it costs, and whether it's worth it (2026)Tips

Co-living for internationals: what it is, what it costs, and whether it's worth it (2026)

What co-living is, what it costs in 2026 (€450 to €1,400 per month by city), and whether it's worth it for internationals. Honest comparison vs dorms, shared flats and studios.

20 min readRead guide
Top 5 housing providers in Budapest for internationals (2026)Tips

Top 5 housing providers in Budapest for internationals (2026)

Real prices, real trade-offs. The 5 housing providers in Budapest that actually deliver for internationals in 2026, Fuse Stays, Maverick, and more.

11 min readRead guide
Top 5 housing options in Riga for internationals (2026)Tips

Top 5 housing options in Riga for internationals (2026)

Real prices, real trade-offs. The 5 housing options in Riga that actually work for internationals in 2026, from Fuse Stays to university dorms.

12 min readRead guide
What Documents You Need to Rent a Room AbroadTips

What Documents You Need to Rent a Room Abroad

Landlords ask for specific paperwork. Here's exactly what to prepare, and what to do if you don't have all of it yet.

3 min readRead guide
First-Time Renter Checklist: What to Check Before SigningTips

First-Time Renter Checklist: What to Check Before Signing

The 20 things every first-time renter should check before signing a contract, paying a deposit, or handing over ID.

3 min readRead guide
How to Find Roommates You Actually Want to Live WithTips

How to Find Roommates You Actually Want to Live With

Finding a flat abroad is hard. Finding the right flatmates is harder. Here's how to vet roommates before you sign a 12-month lease together.

3 min readRead guide
How to Write a Message to a Landlord That Actually Gets a ReplyTips

How to Write a Message to a Landlord That Actually Gets a Reply

Landlords get 100+ messages for every listing. Here's the exact structure for internationals, with a copy-paste template, that makes yours stand out.

3 min readRead guide
Housing Budget: How Much Should You Actually Pay?Tips

Housing Budget: How Much Should You Actually Pay?

Rent ranges, hidden costs, and the one-month rule everyone should follow before signing anything.

3 min readRead guide
Housing in Germany: A Complete Guide for InternationalsGermany

Housing in Germany: A Complete Guide for Internationals

Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne. WG culture, Anmeldung, Sperrkonto, and how to crack the German rental system as an international.

5 min readRead guide
Housing in the Netherlands: A Complete Guide for InternationalsNetherlands

Housing in the Netherlands: A Complete Guide for Internationals

Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Groningen, The Hague. Prices, neighborhoods, platforms, and the tight-market reality every international faces.

4 min readRead guide
Housing in Portugal: A Complete Guide for InternationalsPortugal

Housing in Portugal: A Complete Guide for Internationals

Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra. Prices, neighborhoods, and how to navigate the fast-growing rental scene.

2 min readRead guide
5 Housing Scams and How to Avoid ThemTips

5 Housing Scams and How to Avoid Them

Fake listings, advance-payment fraud, and phantom landlords cost internationals thousands every year. Here's how to spot them, and protect yourself.

3 min readRead guide
Housing in Spain: A Complete Guide for InternationalsSpain

Housing in Spain: A Complete Guide for Internationals

Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville. Prices, neighborhoods, NIE/TIE, padrón, and how the Spanish rental system works for internationals.

3 min readRead guide
When to Start Looking for Housing Abroad: A Month-by-Month TimelineTips

When to Start Looking for Housing Abroad: A Month-by-Month Timeline

Most internationals start too late. Here's the timeline that actually works for European cities, whether you move in September or February.

3 min readRead guide
How to Find Housing in Berlin: The Complete Guide for Internationals (2026)Germany

How to Find Housing in Berlin: The Complete Guide for Internationals (2026)

How to find a room in Berlin: neighborhoods, realistic prices, WG culture, timing, and how to actually get a landlord to reply.

9 min readRead guide
What I Wish I Knew Before Looking for Housing AbroadTips

What I Wish I Knew Before Looking for Housing Abroad

Real lessons from internationals who searched for housing in Europe. Tips on timing, budgeting, scams, and what actually works.

5 min readRead guide
How to Find Housing in Munich: The Complete Guide for Internationals (2026)Germany

How to Find Housing in Munich: The Complete Guide for Internationals (2026)

Find housing in Munich: neighborhoods, prices, WG tips, dorms, and how to navigate Germany's priciest city as an international.

10 min readRead guide

Frequently asked questions

How does Socials actually help me find a home?+
You tell us your city, budget, and when you want to move in. From that moment, we’re scanning 2,000+ housing platforms and our partner listings around the clock, so you don’t have to. The second a new listing hits the market that matches your criteria, you get it straight to your WhatsApp. Our housing partners’ listings get priority, meaning you often see them before anyone else. From there, it’s simple: you click, you book, and you save with an exclusive discount code.
Can't I just search on Funda, Pararius, or other housing sites myself?+
You can, but you'd be searching only 2 or 3 out of 2,000+ sites. Most rooms get rented within hours of going live. By the time you check manually, the best listings already have dozens of applicants. Socials scans every major platform and our partner listings 24/7 and alerts you on WhatsApp within seconds of a new match going live, so you're always one of the first to apply.
Are the listings real and verified?+
Yes. We use multiple verification methods to flag and remove scam listings before they reach you. Our team actively monitors for suspicious patterns and removes fraudulent listings. On top of that, many listings come from trusted partners like University Living, Amber, Spotahome, Uniplaces and Housing Anywhere, who verify their inventory directly.
How long does it usually take to find something?+
It depends on the city and your budget. Some people find a place within a week, others take a few weeks. Because we send you new matches the moment they go live, you’re always one of the first to know, giving you a real head start.
Do I get a discount on every listing?+
Not every listing, only on the rooms from our housing partners. When a match comes from one of our partners, you’ll get an exclusive discount code that’s only available to Socials members.

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