Student accommodation rentals: peak season kicks off – online searches up 23% in Italia in May

As summer approaches, the peak season for student rentals is in full swing – the period when students start making arrangements to move in ahead of the new academic year. According to data from HousingAnywhere, Europe’s leading student accommodation platform, in May 2026, searches for accommodation by students in Italia rose by 23% compared with the previous month and by 21% compared with the same period last year.

This figure reflects a trend that is already evident at European level: in May, bookings on the platform actually rose by 30% month-on-month. Furthermore, 44% of students booking during this period are already planning to move between August and September, a significantly higher proportion than during off-peak periods, when only 10% of users book so far in advance.

In Italia, students’ early search for accommodation has intensified in certain key cities. Turin has seen the sharpest increase, up 54% on the previous month, followed by Florence (up 45%), Bologna (up 31%), Milan and Rome, both up 27%, and Padua (up 21%).
The peak season is therefore a crucial time for students on the move, especially for those preparing to relocate from another city or from abroad. Starting the search early allows them to consider a wider range of options, compare different accommodation solutions and organise their move to a new university city with greater peace of mind.

This issue is particularly significant given the growing number of students in Italian universities who have previously studied abroad. According to the ANVUR 2026 Report on the higher education and research system, there were 111,566 students with qualifications obtained abroad enrolled in Italian universities in the 2024/25 academic year, more than double the 52,493 recorded in 2018/19, representing 5.4% of the total student body. Their presence is particularly concentrated in the North-West, which accounts for 36.3% of students with foreign qualifications.

In this context, the availability of accommodation solutions suitable for medium-term stays – which can also be booked remotely – is becoming an increasingly important factor in supporting students’ studies and helping them settle into a new city.
“Finding accommodation as a student can be tricky, especially in university towns where demand is high. That’s why technology and timing can make all the difference,” said Antonio Intini, CEO of HousingAnywhere. “Platforms such as HousingAnywhere meet the practical needs of students on the move: furnished accommodation, verified landlords and a fully online process, allowing students to search for and book a home even before arriving in their destination city. Those who start their search at this stage have access to a wider variety of options ahead of September.”