Your 2025/26 Dublin Accommodation Options
Dublin is a vibrant but expensive city, and finding suitable housing is a major challenge for international students. Recent reports show open-market rents in Dublin averaging around €2,971 per month, among the highest in Europe. This guide examines the main accommodation options for foreign students in Dublin from shared houses and private one-bedroom apartments to student dormitories and renting a single room (homestay) comparing their features and typical costs in 2025/26. We detail which options provide a private bedroom, bathroom, refrigerator, storage space, and whether a kitchen is shared. Cost ranges are given in euros (€), broken down per month, week, and day, along with notes on utility bills.
1. Shared House Rentals (House Sharing)
Living in a shared house (or apartment) means renting a property with other students or young professionals. Each tenant usually has a private bedroom, while common areas like the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms are shared among housemates. This option offers independence and the chance to split costs, but also requires cooperation on chores and respect for others' space.
Privacy & Amenities
In a typical Dublin house-share, you have your own bedroom, but bathrooms are often shared (unless someone secures an en-suite room). There is usually no personal fridge; housemates share the kitchen fridge (often dividing shelf space) and no dedicated personal pantry except maybe a designated cupboard for each person. You will have your own storage space in your bedroom (e.g. a wardrobe or closet for your belongings). The kitchen and laundry facilities are fully shared among all residents, so coordination is needed for cooking and cleaning.
Cost Breakdown
As of 2025, a single room in a shared house typically costs about €720-€1,740 per month in Dublin, which is roughly €168-€336 per week (approximately €24-€48 per day). The lower end of this range may reflect simpler accommodations or locations farther from the city center, whereas rooms in prime areas or with en-suite facilities reach the upper end. (In rare cases, students have found basic shared-room arrangements for as low as ~€560 per month by splitting rooms or living on the outskirts - but €720+ is far more common in the city.) Note that utilities (electricity, heating gas, internet, etc.) are usually not included in the rent for a shared house. Each tenant pays a share of bills, which can add about €120-€180 per month per person in Dublin - roughly €30-€42 weekly (about €5-€6 per day extra) - depending on usage and season. In addition, you should budget for overheads such as maintenance, internet, and cleaning, which add an extra €50 per month. Housemates typically split these costs equally or according to room size.
2. One-Bedroom Apartment Rentals
Renting an entire one-bedroom apartment (or studio) is the most independent and typically most expensive - housing route. In this scenario, you are the sole occupant (or perhaps a couple sharing) of a self-contained flat. All facilities are private to you, but so are all the responsibilities and costs.
Privacy & Amenities
A one-bedroom or studio apartment provides complete privacy. You have your own bedroom (often combined with living space in a studio), your own bathroom (private en-suite), and a private kitchen or kitchenette that is not shared with anyone. All appliances, including a refrigerator, are for your exclusive use. You also enjoy full personal storage space within the apartment closets, cabinets, etc. without needing to secure your items from others. In short, this option guarantees an independent living environment with no shared rooms or facilities.
Cost Breakdown
The convenience of a private apartment in Dublin comes at a high price. In 2025, one-bedroom apartments in Dublin typically range from about €2,160 up to €3,000 per month in rent, depending on location and quality. This is roughly €498-€690 per week, or about €72-€96 per day. Apartments in prime central neighborhoods (Dublin 2 or 4) often exceed €2,640+ per month for 1-bed units, while more peripheral areas (West or North Dublin) might offer some smaller or older 1-bed flats around €1,680-€1,920 monthly at the low end. Studios (even smaller one-room units) in Dublin still command around €1,440-€2,040 per month, so there is no truly cheap self-contained option in the city. On top of rent, utilities are almost always paid separately by the tenant in private apartments. You should budget an extra €120-€180 per month for electricity, heating, water, trash, and internet. On top of this, you will need to account for an extra €50 per month for overheads like maintenance, internet, and cleaning. That works out to roughly €30-€42 weekly (≈€6 per day) in utility costs, though your actual bills will vary with usage (heating in winter can drive costs up). All told, renting a one-bed flat is the priciest choice and usually only feasible for students with significant financial resources or those sharing the cost with a partner.
3. Student Dormitories
Most universities in Dublin offer on-campus or affiliated dormitory housing (halls of residence), and there are also privately-run student residence complexes. Dorms are designed for student living and often come with amenities like security, cleaning of common areas, and social events. Space is limited and demand is high, so students should apply early.
Privacy & Amenities
In student accommodations, you typically have your own individual room, but the level of privacy can vary. Many modern dorms provide single bedrooms - often grouped in apartment-style clusters where 4-8 students each have a private bedroom and share a kitchen/lounge. Some bedrooms come with a private en-suite bathroom, while others in older dorms or cheaper options might share a bathroom with a few other students. A few dorm options involve shared bedrooms (twin rooms), but these are less common. Regardless of type, each student gets personal storage space in their room. Dorm rooms are furnished by default. As for kitchen facilities, dormitories almost always have shared kitchens. No personal refrigerators are provided in individual rooms in standard dorms; instead, students share refrigerators in the communal kitchen. The laundry facilities are also shared.
Cost Breakdown
Student residences in Dublin are moderately expensive. For the 2024/25 academic year, on-campus housing costs ranged roughly from €1,080 up to €1,560 per month per person. That is about €150-€360 per week, or roughly €22-€52 per day. Lower-priced options (€600-€840/month) usually involve sharing a bedroom or facilities. Mid-range options (€960-€1,200/month) typically get you a single room in a shared apartment. The upper end (€1,320-€1,440/month) corresponds to single en-suite rooms in newer complexes. The good news is that student dorm rents generally include most utilities. Campus residences often bundle the cost of electricity, heating, water, and high-speed Wi-Fi into the rent or charge a fixed monthly utilities fee (e.g. around €72-€84).
4. Renting a Single Room (Homestay/Digs)
Another housing route popular with international students is renting a single room in a local private home, often called a homestay or "digs." In this arrangement, a homeowner (or host family) rents out a spare bedroom to a student. You live as a lodger in their house effectively joining the household typically under a more informal agreement than a standard lease.
Privacy & Amenities
In a homestay, you will have your own private room in the family's house. The room is usually furnished. The bathroom is often shared with the family unless the room comes with an en-suite. You generally do not have a personal fridge or kitchen in your room; instead, you will share the kitchen with the host family. Many hosts allow use of the kitchen to store some of your food and to do light cooking. Always clarify kitchen access and meal options with the host. Storage space for your belongings is typically limited to your bedroom.
Cost Breakdown
Renting a room in a private home is often a cost-effective option. In 2025, the monthly rent for a room typically ranges from €560 to €1,100. It is important to clarify if utilities are included. In many cases, you should budget an extra €120-€180 per month for utilities. This means the total monthly cost is approximately €680 – €1,100, as some higher-priced arrangements may already include these bills in the rent.
Comparison Summary
| Feature | Shared House | One-Bed Apt | Dormitory | Homestay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Monthly Cost | €910 - €1,620 | €2,280 – €3,180 | €1,080 - €1,560 | €680 - €1,100 |
| Privacy | Private bedroom, shared common areas | Complete privacy | Private room (usually), shared kitchen | Private room, shared house |
| Utilities Included | No (Split extra) | No (Paid extra) | Yes (Usually) | Yes (Usually) |
| Best For | Balance of cost & freedom | Maximum independence (if budget allows) | Campus convenience & social life | Budget-conscious & cultural immersion |
"When budgeting for 2025/26, remember to convert all rents to a common basis and factor in utilities if they're not included... Start your housing search early and have a backup plan - Dublin's student housing demand exceeds supply. Good luck!"
