Bernini: the average cost of student accommodation is 400–500 euros a month; 20,000 places are free of charge

“Students must have the opportunity to choose, and this gives them freedom: over 800 million has been allocated for scholarships. As for student accommodation, we have identified 40,000 places and, over four years, we have managed to ‘open’ 62,000 new beds, for which we have allocated a further 1.2 billion; the majority are ready, and the rest will be ready by August 2027. I would like to dispel a number of false rumours: it is not true that these are luxury halls of residence; they are new and attractive, 20,000 places are free of charge under the right to education scheme, and the remainder are available at subsidised rates; all of this is verified via the university accommodation portal, where each hall of residence has a dedicated link.

As for costs, 20,000 places are completely free; the others have an average rent of 400–500 euros per bed, all-inclusive of electricity, water, Wi-Fi and kitchen facilities. Between 2022 and 2026, we have also created 12,000 beds under Law 338; we will soon have the fifth call for applications and will launch further ones in 2027. We want to amend the legislation to enable results to be achieved more quickly. In any case, students are choosing PNRR halls of residence everywhere.” These were the words of the Minister for Universities, Anna Maria Bernini, during Question Time, in response to Senator Bucalo of FdI.