Finding a place to live in Germany

Finding housing in Germany is one of the biggest challenges for foreign students. Especially in big cities where there are only a few vacant apartments. You will need time and patience for your search.

You will have to search for an apartment in different ways: on the Internet, with the help of your university, in student residences, and through personal contacts.

On the Internet, you can find websites that offer apartments for permanent rent. If you get such an apartment, you are usually allowed to live in it for an indefinite period. You will be the official tenant. In order to get such an apartment, you will need various documents for your application.

There are also websites where private individuals can look for subtenants or roommates for a shared apartment ("WG"in German, short for "Wohngemeinschaft"). It tends to be easier to find an apartment quickly using such websites. However, sometimes these leases are temporary, meaning you may only live in the apartment for a few months.

As a student, you can also apply for an apartment or a room in a student dorm. Application is made via the Internet.

Temporary housing is a good option if you need to find housing quickly, and then you can look for more permanent housing. Look on social media platforms for apartments; there are dedicated accommodation groups, perhaps in your native language.

Personal contacts with friends, acquaintances, fellow students, or people from your home country are also helpful. Permanent apartments, in particular, are easier to find through personal recommendations, for example, if the previous tenant is looking to find a new tenant quickly.

As a student in Germany, you have the choice between a single apartment just for you or a shared apartment ("WG"). There are also permanent and temporary tenancy agreements.

For your first days and weeks in Germany, you can rent a hotel or private accommodation, for example, through sites like Airbnb. Then you can look for accommodation where you can stay for a longer period.

Searching for an apartment in Germany is relatively bureaucratic. For a permanent apartment, you often have to apply and provide certain documents. Landlords want to make sure they will receive rent on time every month.

The following documents are often required when applying for an apartment: tenant self-disclosure, passport (copy), proof of your income, credit report (usually Schufa), and a proof of rent payment certificate.

The salary certificate should show the landlord your income, usually covering the last three months. Sometimes a permanent employment contract is also required. However, many students cannot show these documents because they do not have a permanent job.

In this case, many landlords accept a guarantee. For example, your parents can assure the landlord that they will pay the rent if necessary if you cannot pay it yourself.

The costs for an apartment are made up of different elements. Often you pay a deposit which you get back after moving out. A real estate agent charges a commission for his or her services.

It is best to look for a room in a shared apartment before you arrive in Germany. A room in a shared flat is the most cost-effective living option during your studies in Germany. The monthly rent for a room can vary greatly. The monthly rent depends mainly on the size of the room and the city you live in. In Berlin, you can expect prices around 400 euros, while a WG room in Cottbus costs around 200 euros.

Although living with other people in a foreign country is a great experience, you might not want to share a kitchen and bathroom with roommates permanently. Therefore, if you plan to study in Germany for more than one or two semesters, we advise you to find your own apartment. But at the beginning of your stay, and if you are not staying in Germany for several years, a recommended accommodation option is a WG room.