Short-term letting in Leuven
At a glance
The short-term rental market
2025, in the district: 160,275 nights via platforms (Eurostat), 79% foreign.
Short-term rental income in Leuven
According to AirDNA, a short-term rental in Leuven achieves on average 68 % occupancy at €81 a night, or about €18,800 in revenue per year. These are market averages: a well-presented, well-located home priced daily often does better, an average one does worse.
Source: AirDNA, market data for June 2026 (28 listings), converted from US dollars to euros at the ECB rate of 12/06/2026 (1.1567 $ per €1). Indicative figures, no guarantee of results.
Property prices
- €285,000 : median sale price of a flat in 2025 (half of sales between €213,950 and €369,500, from 1247 sales) — 8% above the median of the region’s municipalities.
- €460,000 : median sale price of a house in 2025 (half of sales between €363,000 and €592,000, from 810 sales) — 37% above the median of the region’s municipalities.
Leuven compared with neighbouring municipalities
With a median flat at €285,000, Leuven ranks 23rd of 39 municipalities in the province of Flemish Brabant, from most to least expensive.
By population (105,357 residents), Leuven ranks 1st of 63 municipalities in the province of Flemish Brabant.
A flat sells for 19% less than in Herent, the nearest neighbouring municipality (4 km, median €350,000).
| Municipality | Distance | Residents | Flat (2025 median) | House (2025 median) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leuven | — | 105,357 | €285,000 | €460,000 |
| Herent | 4 km | 23,287 | €350,000 | €439,000 |
| Oud-Heverlee | 6 km | 11,414 | — | €475,000 |
| Holsbeek | 6 km | 10,283 | — | €400,000 |
| Bierbeek | 7 km | 10,926 | €405,000 | €430,000 |
Sources: Statbel, STATEC, Observatoire de l’Habitat, IWEPS. Straight-line distances between municipal centres; rankings computed over the municipalities for which the figure is published.
Our advice for Leuven
Leuven runs on one engine: KU Leuven and the ecosystem that has grown around it. The Gasthuisberg university hospital, research institutes such as imec, the brewery at the Vaartkom and a steady flow of international academics shape who needs a bed here. Understand that crowd and the right kind of property follows.
Not your typical city-break market
Leisure tourists come, of course, for the Town Hall, the Oude Markt and the beguinage. But many guests arrive for a PhD defence, a conference, a job interview or a hospital appointment, and many more are parents moving a student in or attending a graduation. Demand peaks at the start and end of the academic year and around exams, then softens in summer, when summer schools and visiting researchers keep things ticking.
- Inside the ring road, around the Oude Markt, Grote Markt and Naamsestraat, guests want to walk to lecture halls and bars. Night-time quiet is not guaranteed; be upfront about it.
- Gasthuisberg, plus the Heverlee and Kessel-Lo side, suit hospital visitors and people working at the Arenberg campus. Step-free access, a lift or a parking space earns real gratitude here.
- Wilsele and Wijgmaal are calmer and greener, a good fit for families or guests with a car who prefer to sleep away from the bustle.
What to offer
A well-lit desk, fast internet and a kitchen that can handle proper meals: academic guests often stay from a few nights to a few weeks. Consider rates that step down with length of stay, and be ready to issue an invoice in an institution's name, which removes friction for university-funded travel. Mention the direct train link to Brussels Airport; international guests look for it.
Getting around
The centre is largely car-free and the circulation plan splits it into loops that make driving tedious. Point guests to the park-and-ride sites and bus lines, and offer bike storage if you can. In Leuven, cycling is simply how people move.
Frequently asked questions
What does a property in Leuven cost for a short-term rental project?
In 2025, a flat sold for a median of 285 000 € (half of sales between 213 950 € and 369 500 €, out of 1 247 sales); a house sold for a median of 460 000 € (half of sales between 363 000 € and 592 000 €, out of 810 sales) in Leuven (Statbel). Before buying, compare that price with a realistic short-term rental income and booking calendar: Hexuvium sends you a free income estimate for the property you have in mind, based on comparable homes.
Where do guests staying in Leuven come from?
In 2025, the district counted 160 275 nights booked through platforms, 79% of them by guests from abroad (Eurostat). A listing written in several languages, a clear welcome message in English and simple arrival instructions make the difference with these guests.
Can you let short-term in Leuven without living nearby?
Yes. Hexuvium handles the listing on the platforms, messages with guests, self check-in, cleaning between stays and small repairs. You follow your bookings and income in your owner portal, without having to travel.
Sources and update
Public figures, sources at the bottom; past results, not guaranteed.