How International Students in Germany Can Find Accommodation

By Samreen Jabeen
Published Aug 08, 2024
Updated Sep 13, 2024

Intro: In the first part of her series, Samreen spoke about her motivations for moving to Germany to pursue a Masters in Management. In this next installment, she talks about how to secure housing, and tips she would share with others facing similar challenges.

Finding accommodation can be daunting anywhere, but the challenge is often magnified for international students venturing to a new country like Germany. Between the language barrier, unfamiliar rental practices and the unique quirks of German bureaucracy, the process can be overwhelming. Having moved from Asia to Germany myself as an international student, I’ve picked up a few handy tips to help you find the perfect place to call home during your studies.

Before we dive into the details, here are a few key points you need to know:

Cold Rent and Warm Rent: Cold rent (Kaltmiete) in Germany is the base rent without any additional costs. Warm rent (Warmmiete) includes utilities like heating and water.
Unfurnished Apartments: When an apartment is listed as unfurnished, it really means unfurnished—often without a kitchen!
Anmeldung: This is the mandatory registration of your address with the local authorities, and will be needed for everything, from opening a bank account to getting a residence permit. It is CRUCIAL to ensure that you have the option to register your place with the authorities, particularly when exploring short-term accommodation.
Scams: Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, never send money without seeing the apartment, and verify the identity of the landlord where possible. Unfortunately, rental scams are common.

Now let’s dive in.

Student Housing

Unlike some other countries, students in Germany, whether domestic or international, are not automatically provided with accommodation. Many German universities do offer student housing, but it's not the default.

Student dormitories are a popular and affordable option, though the cost can vary depending on the location and size. You could have your own room but will probably share washrooms, kitchens, and common living areas with other students. It’s a great opportunity to make friends and socialize but the trade-off is reduced privacy and potential for conflict over the use of shared spaces.

The best place to search for dorms is your university's Students’ Union, known as Studentenwerk. The official Study in Germany website and the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) websites also provide comprehensive databases of student housing options.

You could also check out student housing corporations that cater specifically to students and young professionals, although these options might be slightly more expensive. Companies like Urban Club, Youniq and The Twenty offer small studios with your own washroom and kitchenette, along with laundry facilities in the building.

Room Sharing

Flatshares, known as Wohngemeinschaften (WGs), are another popular accommodation choice for students in Germany. A WG typically involves renting a private apartment that students share with their peers, often four tenants or more, depending on the apartment size. Each student has their own room while sharing communal areas such as the living room, bathroom, and kitchen. WGs offer pros and cons similar to student dorms.

To find a suitable WG, check out platforms like WG-Gesucht and EasyWG.

Short-term Rentals (Furnished)

Short-term furnished accommodation in Germany has become increasingly popular among students, expats and professionals who need a temporary place to stay without the hassle of long-term leases or unfurnished apartments.

Companies like Wunderflats, Homelike, and Spotahome specialize in providing short to mid-term rental solutions, from fully furnished studios to multi-bedroom units, available for a few weeks or several months.

The advantages are easy booking processes allowing for a high degree of flexibility, and all-inclusive rent packages that cover utilities, internet, and maintenance, simplifying the moving process. Apartments come fully equipped with furniture, kitchen appliances, and often even linens and kitchenware.

The disadvantage is that these spaces are typically more expensive than traditional unfurnished rentals. There are also limitations to personalizing the space to your liking.

Likewise, check out co-living spaces such as The Student Hotel, Habyt, and Quarters.

Long-Term Accommodation (Furnished)

Private apartments are a common choice for long-term residents in Germany. These too can range from studios to multi-bedroom units, typically rented unfurnished. Popular platforms for finding private apartments include ImmobilienScout24, WG-Gesucht, Immonet, and eBay Kleinanzeigen.

The main benefits are greater privacy, stability, and freedom to personalize the space. They are also more cost-effective in the long-term.

Disadvantages include high upfront costs for security deposits, fees, and furnishing the apartment, longer lease commitments with less flexibility to move out, and the effort required to set up utilities such as electricity, gas, internet and water.

Temporary Housing

Other temporary housing options that, while more expensive, can serve as a last resort for short-term needs:

Sublets (legal in Germany; ensure landlord’s consent and clear rental terms)
Homestays with a local family
Hotels, hostels or serviced apartments
Guesthouses (Pensionen)

Final Tips

Have all your documents ready in advance (identification, university admission, cover letter, etc.) and prepare a renter’s application form (Mieterselbstauskunft)
Write to landlords in German to increase your chances of receiving a response (use a translation tool like DeepL or get help from a friend if needed)
Send out multiple applications daily and follow up with phone calls when possible
Set up alerts on real estate platforms so you’re notified immediately of new listings
Join local expat groups on social media, attend university housing fairs, and ask colleagues or classmates if they know of available apartments (for word-of-mouth referrals)
Be ready to act fast. If you’re invited to view an apartment, be punctual and prepared to make a decision quickly. The competition is fierce, and hesitation can often mean losing out to another applicant.