Student Housing Market: An Evaluation Model for the Identification of the Investment Opportunities in the Major European Cities

The student housing market is emerging as a strategic sector for real estate investment in Europe, driven by an increase in demand for international and local student accommodation. This study proposes a valuation model based on the analysis of the break-even point for the rentable surface to determine the economic feasibility of projects for the redevelopment of existing buildings into student housing units. The approach was applied to 15 selected European university cities, given to local specificities in terms of costs. The results demonstrate that break-even points exhibit considerable variation between cities, shaped by factors such as labour costs, property values and rents. This study presents a replicable methodological framework for identifying the most attractive investment prospects and underscores the value of comprehensive local analysis in the planning of student housing projects. The practical implications extend to real estate investors, policy makers and stakeholders engaged in urban regeneration within a European context.