Flatshare in Leiria

International students who go to Leiria for a season often choose shared flats as their accommodation, to be able to share day-to-day life with their flatmates.

Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Leiria

We tell you what are some of the most relevant pros and cons of living in shared flats in this Portuguese city:

Advantages of sharing a flat in Leiria

• You will likely find an apartment with a location with good access to your faculty, regardless of which of the campuses of the Polytechnic University of Leiria it is located. Remember that some neighbourhoods preferred by young people are the historic centre of Leiria, Baixa and Telheiro.
• If one of your roommates is Portuguese, you will surely meet a very friendly and welcoming person, who will help you integrate into local life.

Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Leiria

• There are currently no student residences available, so you will not be able to choose an apartment in that type of accommodation.
• Discussions or misunderstandings may emerge if there is no good communication regarding house rules.

Erasmus App for your exchange programme in Leiria

There are several apps for Erasmus+ that help make the planning and experience of the exchange to Leiria easier. In them, there is information of different types, such as about procedures, the university and life in the city. A common tip given by previous students of Leiria is that you take advantage of your stay in the city to get to know Portugal as much as you can, including the natural parks and beaches near Leiria.

How to meet people in Leiria

The simplest way to meet people in Leiria is by sharing a flat, since that way you can be accompanied as soon as you arrive in the city. You can also use the following methods:

Student associations in Leiria

If you like to practice a sport, at the Polytechnic University of Leiria you will have the possibility of joining various clubs for different sports, including running, cycling, hiking, skate, futsal, handball, ultimate frisbee and even surfing.

Facebook groups for Erasmus in Leiria

Some groups you can join on this platform are those of ESN Portugal and the so-called “Leiria Mobility Students Network”. In both, you can connect with other students before your arrival, and view different activities and events that are organized in the city and other nearby ones.

Whatsapp groups for Erasmus in Leiria

Many students choose to join WhatsApp groups that they find online to meet other young people before the start of their exchange. In this way, you will be able to connect with students who have hobbies or interests similar to yours, being able to share experiences in Leiria.

Tips for living in a shared student apartment in Leiria

Keep these recommendations in mind when living in shared flats in the Portuguese city:

• You have to find out if the cost of utility bills is included in the monthly rental price or if you have to add an extra at the end of each month. Be careful, since it can increase a lot in the hot months with the use of air conditioning or in winter with heating.
• Take advantage of the extra in your student budget, which arises from the lower rental cost than a full apartment, to explore Portugal to the fullest and discover incredible places such as Coimbra, Peniche, Nazaré, the Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park, Lisbon, Sintra, Porto and much more.

Frequently asked questions about sharing a flat in Leiria