As an international student coming to Germany — whether for Studienkolleg, Bachelor, Master, or any other programme — finding accommodation is one of the biggest tasks. It can affect your peace of mind, budget, daily routine, and how quickly you adapt to life in a new place. Germany offers many housing options, but demand is high in popular cities, rules are strict, and scams are a concern. This guide gives you everything you need to know to find good student housing.
1. Types of Student Housing Options
Here are the main types of student housing in Germany, with their pros & cons.
| Housing Type | What it is | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dormitories / Studentenwerk (Studierendenwerk) | University‐ or student‑union run housing, often shared rooms or single rooms in halls. | Cheapest, often near campus, reliable, safe. | Long waiting lists; basic amenities; sometimes poor conditions; less privacy. |
| Shared Flats (“WG” or Wohngemeinschaft) | You rent your own room and share kitchen/bathroom with other students. | More independent, better social life, cost sharing for utilities, more options. | Need to get along with flatmates; sometimes furniture not provided; must handle more responsibility. |
| Private Apartments / Studios | Your own flat or studio, fully private. | Maximum independence, nicer amenities, good for long‑term stay. | Much more expensive; you may need German in contract; high deposit and upfront costs. |
| Micro‑flats / Small Single Units | Very small private unit, fully furnished, often in high‑demand cities. | Privacy; often well located; no sharing. | Price high per square metre; small space; you might compromise on location or amenities. |
| Temporary Housing / Sublets | Short‑term stays (this could be for a few weeks or months) in hostels, Airbnb, sublet rooms until permanent housing is found. | Flexible; gives you time to look in person; less pressure to commit from abroad. | More expensive; may not allow official address registration (Anmeldung); may lack stability. |
2. When to Start Looking & How Early
- Start early — 2‑3 to 4‑6 months before your move if possible, especially in big cities (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt).
- For dormitories or Studentenwerk housing, apply as soon as you get your admission letter since waitlists can be very long.
- If you’re arriving from abroad, have a short‑term place ready (hotel, hostel, loaned room, or temporary sublet) so you can search in person once you arrive.
3. Useful Platforms, Portals & Where to Search
Here are websites and resources that many students use.
- WG‑Gesucht — Very popular for shared flats (WG). Search by city, price, roommate preferences.
- Studenten‑WG, Studentenwohnung, etc. — Similar portals dedicated to student rooms.
- ImmobilienScout24, Immowelt — General real estate portals; good for private flats or studios.
- University / Studentenwerk Housing Office — Every university has an international office or student services that helps with housing, publishes lists, sometimes has own dorms.
- Facebook Groups, WhatsApp, Local Forums — Students often share room vacancies or sublets in local social media groups.
- Classifieds (e.g. eBay Kleinanzeigen) — Some private landlords list here. Good to check carefully.
4. What to Budget For: Prices & Hidden Costs
Knowing the cost structure helps you plan better.
- Dormitory Room: ~ €200‑€350/month in many places.
- Shared Flat (WG): ~ €300‑€600/month, depending on city, size, and whether utilities (heating, electricity, water) are included.
- Private Apartments / Studios: Can go €500‑€800 or more monthly in major cities, especially for very central locations.
- Other Costs:
- Utilities (Nebenkosten): electricity, heating, water, internet etc. Sometimes utilities are included (“Warmmiete”) but often they are separate.
- Deposit (Kaution): usually 2‑3 months rent.
- Furnishing: Unfurnished flats are more common. You may need to pay for furniture if needed.
5. Documents & Requirements
When you apply for a flat or a room, landlords will expect certain documents and proof. Be ready with:
- Passport / ID
- University admission or enrollment certificate (proof you are a student)
- Proof of finances or income (bank statements, blocked account, parental support, scholarship)
- Sometimes guarantor or co‑signer (if you have no steady income)
- Sometimes SCHUFA (credit record) if you already have lived in Germany or have financial history. If not, you can explain that.
- Rental application form; maybe a short text about yourself.
6. Viewing & Choosing the Right Place
When you find some potential flats or rooms, these tips help you choose well and avoid problems.
- Visit in person if possible. If you’re abroad, arrange a video tour.
- Inspect condition: check plumbing, heating, water pressure, insulation, insects, mold etc.
- Understand what “warm” vs “cold” rent means:
- Kaltmiete = rent without utilities
- Warmmiete = rent including utilities (heating, water, sometimes internet)
- Check whether furniture is included or you’ll need to buy it.
- See how far it is from your university, transport links, groceries etc. A slightly further place may cost less and still be okay with good transport.
- Ask about lease terms: minimum duration, notice period, whether subletting is allowed, house rules (Hausordnung).
7. Avoiding Scams & Common Pitfalls
When you’re searching from abroad, scammers or misleading offers are common. Be careful:
- Don’t pay deposit or rent before you have seen the place or have a contract.
- Be wary of ridiculously low rent for prime locations ‒ if it looks too good, likely there’s a catch.
- Landlords asking for unusual payment methods (Western Union, etc.) are suspicious.
- Ensure contract is legal, has your name, address, rent, deposit, duration.
- Check reviews or ask others if possible. University housing office or student groups may help verify.
8. Helpful Tips & Hacks to Improve Chances
- Be quick to respond to listings. Good rooms go fast, especially in big university cities.
- Prepare your documents in advance (scanned copies) so you can send them immediately.
- Be flexible: location, size, room type. Sometimes it’s better to compromise on one thing to get a decent housing earlier.
- Use offers for temporary housing even for first few weeks — then keep looking permanently once you’re in Germany.
- Register your address (Anmeldung) soon after you move in; this is legally required.
9. Costs / Budget Estimate By City & Type
Here are rough cost estimates you can expect in different cities/types:
| City Type | Dorm (Student dorm) | Shared Flat (WG) | Private Studio / Flat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big expensive city (Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg) | ~ €250‑400 (small room) | €400‑€700 | €700‑€1,000+ |
| Medium city (Leipzig, Dresden, Hannover) | ~ €200‑300 | €300‑€550 | €500‑€800 |
| Smaller town / rural area | ~ €150‑250 | €250‑€400 | €400‑€600 |
These estimates include rent and sometimes utilities, but check each listing if utilities are included or extra.
10. What to Do Once You Move In
- Register your address (“Anmeldung”) with local authorities (Bürgeramt) within 1‑2 weeks. You might need your landlord’s confirmation.
- Get a liability insurance (Hausrat/Haftpflicht) – small cost, but useful.
- Check the inventory and document anything damaged before you move in to avoid disputes later.
- Understand how to pay rent, deposit, how to cancel contract.
- Be respectful of house rules: quiet hours, waste separation, etc. Germans take these seriously.
11. Special Considerations for Studienkolleg Students or Recent Arrivals
Because Studienkolleg students often come from abroad and may have fewer contacts in Germany, these are extra tips:
- If coming from abroad, try to arrange some communication with university housing services ahead of time. Ask if they help international students.
- Be realistic with budget; blocked account (Sperrkonto) proof might be needed for visa, so ensure you have enough funds to cover housing + monthly expenses.
- Try to arrive a bit early so you can view flats in person rather than committing blindly.
- Keep options open for temporary stay (short‑term sublet, hostel etc.) until you are more familiar with the city and can find good permanent place.
12. Summary Checklist
Here’s a quick checklist you can use during your housing hunt:
- Start search early (3‑6 months before)
- Find out university / Studentenwerk / housing office resources
- Compare dorm, WG, private flat options
- Know your budget and include utilities
- List required documents (enrollment, finances, ID, etc.)
- View places in person or via reliable video tour
- Check contract carefully
- Beware of scams
- Register address after moving in