Student halls of residence in Salamanca

If you’re considering living in a student residence in Salamanca, keep reading. Here you’ll find everything; the advantages and disadvantages of residences, differences between private and university residences, how to find cheap residences and answers to frequently asked questions that arise among young people.

Like in many Spanish cities, in Salamanca you can choose between private residences, university residences and colegios mayores (student halls). What is the main difference between these options? The private residences can welcome students from different institutions and young professionals, while the university residences and colegios mayores are oriented to a particular university, and can accept students, professors and researchers.

Pros and cons of living in a residence in Salamanca

Here is a list with pros and cons about this type of accommodation, so you can decide if it’s ideal for you:

Pros of living in student dorms in Salamanca

You can meet people as soon as you arrive in Salamanca, students like you, and also live with people from different origins. Get to know their cultures as much as you can, in addition to delving into the local Spanish and Salamancan culture, of course.
You’ll find residences close to the institutions' campuses and close to the city centre, so you can choose the location you prefer.
The most common facilities that residences have are a gym, TV room, study room, and dining room or cafeteria. In addition, some may have other spaces that distinguish them, such as outdoor pool, garden, terrace, games room, and even sports courts.
The cleaning of common areas is a responsibility of the residence itself, so that will not be a source of conflict with colleagues. In addition, sometimes you can hire a cleaning service for your room for an additional fee.
To be able to apply for a place you only need to present a few papers. Among them are registration at a university, an ID or passport and, sometimes, a guarantor.
If you’re too lazy to cook, or want to focus on your studies, some residences have food service. You can choose between half board (breakfast and one meal) or full board (breakfast and two meals). Of course, you have to look carefully at the times in which they are served, since they are not 24 hours.

Cons of living in student dorms in Salamanca

They generally have stricter rules than private apartments, especially regarding schedules, receiving visitors and holding parties. This makes you have less independence in several areas.
The bathroom can be shared between many rooms that are on the same level of the building.
Since there are so many people, it can be difficult to concentrate when you have to study. It's very easy to get FOMO, but try to do what's best for you and not fall into peer pressure.
In some cases, especially that of the colegios mayores, the buildings and facilities they have may be old. This makes the atmosphere not so welcoming.
When the residence is very large and accommodates many people, it can be difficult to find common spaces that are free. This can happen not only in leisure areas, but also in the kitchen.
If the residences are on the university campuses, it’s difficult to disconnect from the student and university environment.

Private student residences in Salamanca

Private residences are more concentrated in the centre of Salamanca. However, you will also find some with locations close to some campuses of the University of Salamanca, in areas such as Garrido or Barrio del Oeste.

It’s true that most private residences are renovated and have modern furniture, but some that are older and may seem less welcoming. For this reason, we recommend that you bring some decorative objects such as photographs or prints that make you feel at home.

The type of accommodation that these residences offer the most consists of a single room. Many times they have their own bathroom, which is also an advantage for many people. However, in some, you can also choose between shared rooms for two people and studio-type flats, completely for you. In the case of shared rooms, keep in mind that it’s usually not possible to choose who will be your roommate.

Among the services offered in the residences may be: room cleaning, washing sheets and towels, food service, and bicycle rental or loan, among others. Please note that some of these services may incur an additional cost.

We remind you that it’s advisable to pay close attention to the conditions and regulations of each residence. Some may not accept visitors, others limit hours and prohibit alcohol and smoking, and others may even have some short periods in which they close (such as Christmas and Easter season).

University student halls of residence in Salamanca

University residences and colegios mayores (residence halls), which belong to the universities or have agreements with them, are usually located on the institutions' campuses or very close to them. This is very convenient for those who want to be close to classrooms. However, keep in mind that it can make it difficult to disconnect from the university environment and enjoy other activities outside of it.

The type of accommodation you can choose varies between shared rooms for two people and single rooms. These may have their own bathroom or the bathroom may be shared with the rest of the rooms that are on the same level of the building. There are also some studio apartments, but they are not abundant in university residences.

With regards to the facilities, and especially in colegios mayores, they tend to be a little older or less well cared for. However, they may have areas such as a swimming pool, garden and various relax areas. Take a good look at what each residence offers to choose the best one for you.

University Residences of the University of Salamanca

This institution has two residences and three dormitories (Colegios Mayores) in which it welcomes students, teachers and researchers. Please note that application deadlines are determined and there are usually waiting lists. Furthermore, not all residences and residence halls accept students who stay for less than the full year.

If you want to know about the accommodation near the University of Salamanca, read this article.

Rent cheap student residences in Salamanca

To find an affordable residence in this Spanish city we recommend using the Erasmus Play search engine. On it you can compare between the available and verified residences, filter between the most important characteristics for you and view their locations on a map. Once you find the ideal one for you, you can make the reservation completely online and safely, so you forget about the issue of accommodation and start planning what to do in Salamanca. Don't miss the University New Year's Eve celebration, one of the biggest parties of the year for students!

Frequently Asked Questions about student dorms in Salamanca

What are the requirements to apply for a place in a student residence in Salamanca?
The requirements are usually very few. Among the most common are: enrollment at a University of Salamanca and presentation of an ID or passport. Additionally, sometimes a letter from a guarantor or presentation of a scholarship is requested to demonstrate that you can afford the cost of the residence during your stay.
How much does a student residence in Salamanca cost?
The cheapest price is usually €400 per month, for a shared room and not including meals. On average, the cost of single rooms is about €550-600 per month. An important fact to remember is that sometimes discounts are given for booking for the entire year, so the price can be modified if this is your case.
What’s cheaper, an apartment or a student residence in Salamanca?
It’s true that living in a private shared apartment is usually much more affordable than living in a student residence. For example, the cost of a room in a private apartment in Salamanca can range from €140 onwards. However, remember that residences offer more commodities and spaces to enjoy.
When to book in a student residence in Salamanca?
As soon as possible! There are several residences to choose from, but as the start of classes approaches, the number of students looking for accommodation increases. Furthermore, it’s advisable that you compare them well so that you can choose the ideal one for you.
Are there female university residences in Salamanca?
Yes, you will find both male and female as well as mixed options, so you will be able to choose the type of residence that best suits your needs and preferences. Of course, the most common are the mixed ones, so for the female or male ones it’s advisable that you apply for the place as soon as possible.