Finding housing is the hardest part of moving to most German cities. Rental markets in Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Cologne are tight, and many landlords want to meet you before they sign. Most people start with something furnished and short-term, register their address there, and look for a long-term flat after they arrive.
Your options
| Option | Good for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Student halls (Studierendenwerk) | Students on a budget | The cheapest rooms in most cities. Waiting lists can be months long, so apply as soon as you're admitted. |
| Private student residences | Students who want certainty before arrival | Furnished rooms booked online, all bills included. More expensive than halls, but you can sign from abroad. |
| WG room (flat share) | Anyone staying a year or more | You share a flat with others and have your own room. Current flatmates usually choose, often after a video call or a visit. |
| Furnished temporary apartment | Your first 1 to 6 months | Booked online with a contract. Check that the landlord will give you a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung so you can register. |
| Unfurnished long-term flat | Settling for years | Often empty, sometimes without a kitchen. Landlords ask for income proof, a SCHUFA report and a viewing. |
For the summer semester, fewer people are looking than in September and October, so rooms are easier to find. Studierendenwerk dorms keep waiting lists for both semesters; apply as soon as you're admitted.
Where to look
Neonwood
Private student residences in Berlin and other cities, bookable online.
Go to NeonwoodSpotahome
Furnished rooms and flats, verified and bookable from abroad.
Go to SpotahomeWG-Gesucht
Germany's largest site for flat-share rooms and short-term sublets.
Go to WG-GesuchtStudierendenwerk
Student halls, run per city. Find your city's Studierendenwerk here.
Go to Deutsches StudierendenwerkUnderstanding the rent
- Kaltmiete (cold rent) is the rent for the flat alone.
- Nebenkosten are building costs such as water, rubbish and cleaning, paid as a monthly advance and settled once a year.
- Warmmiete is cold rent plus Nebenkosten, sometimes including heating. Electricity and internet are usually extra.
- The Kaution (deposit) can be up to three months' cold rent. See Rent deposits and deposit guarantees.
What landlords ask for
A complete application
- Passport or ID, and your visa or residence permit.
- Proof you can pay: an employment contract and recent payslips, a blocked account confirmation, a scholarship letter, or a parent's guarantee.
- A SCHUFA credit report. New arrivals don't have one yet; say so and offer the other proof instead. See SCHUFA.
- A confirmation from your previous landlord that you owe no rent (Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung), if you've rented in Germany before.
- A short message about who you are, what you do and how long you'll stay. Write it in German if you can.
Read the contract before you sign. See What to check in a Mietvertrag.
Track Housing in HomeSettled
HomeSettled compares the housing options for your city and reminds you when the best rooms for your arrival date get booked.
Common questions
Can I sign a rental contract before I arrive?
Yes, with private student residences and furnished-apartment platforms. Private landlords of long-term flats usually want a viewing first.
What is a sublet (Untermiete)?
You rent from the main tenant, not the owner. The owner has to agree to it. If the main tenant's contract ends, yours usually does too, so ask to see the owner's consent.
Do I need to register at a temporary address?
If you live there, yes. Make sure the landlord will sign the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung before you book. See How Anmeldung works.
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Sources
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you rely on a figure.