Frequently Asked Questions

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How can I contact SASSA?
SASSA is open all year round (except public holidays), 5 days a week, for 7 1⁄2 hours a day. If you can’t come to our office you could phone, e-mail or fax us.

When should I contact SASSA?
As soon as you know you have an Erasmus grant send us an e-mail and we’ll answer within 48 hours.

What do I have to do to use the SASSA service?
You have to fill in ALL of the Accommodation Form and send it via the Internet and then by post.

What is the Accommodation Form and what’s it for?
The Accommodation Form is to use the SASSA accommodation service.

Who gives us the room keys?
If you have a place in one of the ESU establishments the key can be collected on arrival directly at the caretaker's lodge or from the manager . If you have a place in a private apartment the keys are given by the landlord/lady or by the students who offer the place.

When can I get the keys?
Only after the signature of the contract at SASSA Service, the keys are collected in the Residence. If you are staying in a private apartment you should make arrangements with the landlord.

What’s the best way to get around Padova?
Padova is quite a small town so most students have a bike. Otherwise you can use the bus service.

How far is student accommodation from the centre and the University?
Apart from Agripolis (faculties of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Science) which is 9 km from the centre, the faculties are in the centre or just outside the walls. There is no university campus so all accommodation is in town. You shouldn’t be more than 20/25 minutes away from university by bike.

How long does it take to find a house?
If you send the Accommodation Form by the deadline it need 2 or 3 working days to find a place in a private apartment. For a place in a Hall of Residence you can pick the keys up as soon as you arrive in Padova.

Where should I go when I arrive in Padova?
You should go first to the SASSA office where you’ll be given instructions. If you’ve already got a place to stay or you don’t want to use our service you should come here anyway to find out how to register.

Can I choose a room in a Casa dello Studente (single or double)?
No, only when you can indicate your preference. The number of available places and in particular the single rooms are less than the demand. You will know what type of room you have obtained at the moment of allocation (publication on the web and the letter of allocation).

Can I choose which ESU residence to stay in?
No, but also here you can indicate a preference. In any case the places are allocated by SASSA according to the indicated arrival and departure date and according to the residences in which places are made available for international exchange students. On the whole, we try to respect the expressed preferences.

What happens if I want to give up a place in a Casa dello Studente?
In case of cancellation of your stay in Padua after having paid the deposit, it will only be reimbursed in serious and attested cases (illness, accidents, etc.) and with written notification at least 15 days before arrival. On the contrary the deposit is held as compensation. If cancellation would occur after arrival in Padua, also a two month rent will be requested in addition to the loss of the deposit.

Can I see the room before I accept the place?
In a private apartment you can see the room first. You can only see your room in a Casa dello Studente after getting the keys.

Can I change room once I’ve accepted it?
It’s not that easy. You can only do so after another person has been found (in a private apartment). In Esu Residence it is not possible to change the assigned room.

What should I bring with me?
Sheets, in some cases saucepans, glasses, plates, cutlery etc. or a pillow if you are in a Casa dello Studente (with kitchen) or private apartment. In any case you should contact us for more details.

Who can I turn to if I have a problem?
For any problem concerning accommodation you can contact us. We will do everything possible to help. For academic problems you should contact the International Relations Service in Padova (let us know if you have problems though, as we can always give you some advice).

What differences will I find between my country and Padova?
If you’ve chosen to come to Padova you’ll have to get used to its good and bad points. It’s not a campus university and it’s got 60,000 students. You’re not in England, France, Spain or Germany so try to avoid saying "but in Germany it’s like this….", "in France we have this…." etc. You’ll certainly find yourselves in a different environment. If you know how to get round any initial problems you’ll have a great stay. Remember that there’s an office here to help you.

When can I have access to my room?
From the date indicated in the certificate of room allocation for a Casa dello Studente, and from the date agreed with the landlord of a private apartment.

How is rent paid?
For ESU accommodation you pay by postal order (you can even pay by Bancomat or credit card at the post office), Bancomat, Visa, Maestro or Mastercard. For private apartments it depends on the landlord though you are usually asked to pay in cash or into a bank account.

Why do I have to pay a deposit?
It’s required to confirm acceptance of a place in a private apartment, to cover for any damage and as a guarantee of correct behaviour. You are usually asked for two or three months rent, in a Casa dello Studente it’s 250 €.

What languages are spoken in the SASSA office?
Italian, English and Spanish.

Can I have my address in Padova before I get there?
You can only get the address of a private apartment when you arrive in Padova, never before.

Who will I find in the SASSA office?
You’ll find enthusiastic young people. We’ll try to do everything to help you, not just with your house-hunting.

What’s the difference between the Accommodation Form and the Learning Agreement or other documents?
To use the SASSA service you have to fill in the Accommodation Form that you can find on the Internet. There’s no point in sending your university’s Application Form, learning agreement or other documents. These documents should be sent to our administrative offices (you can find the full list of contact address at http://www.unipd.it/programmi/erasmus/erasmus.html ). VERY IMPORTANT: the Accommodation Form must be sent to SASSA, otherwise it can be lost.

Which documents should I bring with me?
A form of identification valid for your full period of stay in Italy (non EU students should have a study visa for stays shorter than three months); a copy of the E111 or E128 form or a letter from any private insurance company with policy dates (with certified translation for non EU students); passport photos (2 for UE students, 4 for no-UE students) and a letter from your university (not the contract) as proof of your Erasmus status.