Moving to Berlin

BER is south-east of the city. The FEX Airport Express reaches Berlin Hauptbahnhof in about 30 minutes, and regional trains and S-Bahn lines S9 and S45 also serve the terminal station. Your ticket needs to cover fare zone C, where the airport is. A Deutschlandticket covers everything.

BVG runs the U-Bahn, trams and buses; the S-Bahn is run by Deutsche Bahn. All use the same VBB tickets and fare zones A, B and C. Zones A and B cover the city; C adds the surroundings, including BER and Potsdam.

• The €63 Deutschlandticket covers all of it.
• Most universities include the Deutschland-Semesterticket in the semester fee. Check yours before you buy a ticket.
• Night buses and weekend all-night U-Bahn service run when the trains stop.

You can register at any Bürgeramt in Berlin, not only the one for your district. Appointments are booked through Service Berlin and are released at short notice as others cancel.

• Check for new slots early in the morning, when cancellations are released.
• Offices in outer districts often have earlier dates than central ones.
• Bring the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung; Berlin offices don't accept a rental contract instead.

Berlin's immigration office is the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA). Applications for study, employment, family, and self-employed permits are made online; the office then sends you an appointment. Blue Card holders and skilled workers are handled by its Business Immigration Service.

Half of Berlin's WG rooms were advertised for more than €650 a month in September 2026, according to the Moses Mendelssohn Institute's analysis of WG-Gesucht listings. One-bedroom flats in central districts attract dozens of applicants per viewing.

• Berlin's rent brake (Mietpreisbremse) limits the rent on new contracts to 10% above the local reference rent, with exceptions. Furnished and temporary lets are often priced well above it.
• Student halls are run by the studierendenWERK BERLIN; apply the day you're admitted.
• Many newcomers start in a furnished sublet and look for a long-term flat once they're in the city.

Berlin's universities (FU, HU, TU and others) run welcome services for international students and staff. The immigration office's Business Immigration Service handles skilled workers and Blue Card holders.