EL CID Week 2026 Leiden: complete guide for new students

Who is EL CID for?

The week is most useful for students starting for the first time in September 2026 at Leiden University, Leiden University of Applied Sciences or one of the participating Leiden senior secondary vocational institutions. Dutch-language master’s students may also join if they have not previously taken part. Campus The Hague students are welcome, although nearly all general activities take place in Leiden.

Who is it not designed for?

EL CID is not a public tourist festival and parents or unrelated senior students cannot join as participants. International students seeking an English-language orientation will usually be better served by Orientation Week Leiden (OWL).

Why participate?

• Meet several course mates before the first teaching day.
• Visit your institution and learn about the relevant study association.
• Compare student, sports, cultural and study organisations without having to join immediately.
• Learn the practical layout of Leiden and key student locations.
• Choose quiet daytime and evening alternatives instead of parties.

Registration, cost and deadline

• Students normally receive a personal registration link after enrolling in a participating course.
• Participation costs €99 and includes lunch and a hot meal on each of the five days.
• The official FAQ gives the end of July as the deadline, although capacity may be reached earlier.
• At the 24 July 2026 check, the official site contained conflicting wording: it still said registration had not opened while also giving an end-of-July deadline. Check your personal invitation or contact the participant team; this guide therefore does not label registration definitively open or closed.
• Registration is personal and non-transferable. Completed payments are normally non-refundable, with limited exceptions.
• The terms say personal information changes could be submitted until Sunday 26 July 2026.

Where to sleep

• The sleeping hall is available from Sunday 9 August to the morning of Friday 14 August.
• It is based at the University Sports Centre and requires an additional fee that has not been publicly specified.
• Capacity is limited.
• Bring your own sleeping mat or air mattress, sleeping bag and pillow.
• Luggage can be handed in during Monday arrival for transport to the hall.
• Some association houses may offer beds, but students must contact them directly.

Food, allergies and gluten-free needs

• All official EL CID meals are vegetarian.
• The organisation accommodates lactose, nuts and peanuts, but traces may remain.
• Standard meals are not guaranteed gluten-free. Students with coeliac disease/gluten allergy or severe nut or peanut allergy may qualify for a partial refund.
• Self-provided food can, according to the FAQ, be refrigerated and reheated at Plexus Student Centre.
• Carry medication and a safe backup meal for severe allergies and contact the participant team in advance.

Accessibility and quiet programme

• No official activity is compulsory.
• Additional needs can be recorded during registration and shared with an experienced mentor.
• A low-stimulation living room and quiet evening activities are available on many days.
• Some quiet activities require registration in the app.
• Events organised directly by EL CID have gender-neutral and wheelchair-accessible toilets.
• Accessibility at third-party association buildings varies, so check each activity in the app.

Under 18, alcohol and drugs

• Under-18s are welcome; the organisation says roughly thirty per cent of participants are minors.
• Under-18 participants may not buy, possess or consume alcohol and receive a different wristband.
• Alcohol is only served after 14:00 and non-alcoholic alternatives must be available.
• Drug possession and use are subject to zero tolerance.
• A valid physical ID is required; a photograph is not sufficient for wristband collection.

Travel and transport

• Train and bicycle are the most practical combination. Lammermarkt is a short walk from Leiden Centraal.
• The official packing list recommends a bicycle because activities are spread across the city and university campus.
• Use a strong lock and park only in designated spaces.
• Driving is inconvenient because of crowds, closures and multiple daily locations.
• Campus The Hague students may travel to The Hague for the study block, while the general programme remains in Leiden.

Complete packing list

• Valid ID, bank card and charged phone
• Bicycle with lock and lights
• Comfortable shoes
• Reusable water bottle
• Sun protection
• Light rain jacket
• Power bank
• Sports clothes and optional swimwear
• Medication, safe food and emergency snacks
• Sleeping mat, bag and pillow for the hall

Safety and information for parents

Parents and guardians cannot join the programme. A coordination team operates from Plexus Student Centre and can assist at 071 527 8327 when a participant cannot be reached. Trained mentors guide each group, location managers supervise activities and first aid is present where required.

Weather and outdoor programme

Much of the programme is outdoors. Check the forecast shortly before travel and carry both sun protection and a compact rain jacket.

Facilities

Toilets, first aid and facilities vary by temporary location. The app provides the most precise live details and Plexus is the central help point.

Local tip

Do not make a final association decision at the information market. Note at most three organisations that genuinely suit you and revisit them later in the week.

Honest verdict: getting the most from the week

EL CID’s main value is not the parties alone. It is the early contact with course mates, the course and the many options in Leiden. The week is long and highly stimulating, so the best approach is to identify your priority study, sport and association activities and preserve at least one quiet block each day.