Housing in Germany

Finding a place to live in Germany can be challenging, especially in big cities where demand is high. The type of accommodation you choose depends on your budget, lifestyle, and whether you prefer living alone or with others.

Types of Accommodation.

Regular Apartment (Wohnung).

A private apartment which can be rented unfurnished or fully furnished.

Advantages:

  • Full privacy and independence

  • No shared spaces

  • Can be decorated as you like

Disadvantages:

  • High rent, especially in major cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt etc.

  • Higher demand leads to less availabily

  • Requires a high deposit (2-3 months rent)

Shared accommodation (Wohngemeinschaft - WG).

A flat- / houseshare where you live with roommates, sharing common areas like the kitchen and bathroom. Popular among students and young professionals.

Advantages:

  • Much cheaper than renting alone

  • Social life - good for meeting new people

  • More common in bigger cities, compared to apartments

Disadvantages:

  • Less privacy

  • Conflicts with roommates can happen, such as not completing cleaning and other responsibilities

Student Apartment (Studentenwohnheim).

Affordable housing for university students, often managed by Studierendenwerk (Student Services). Usually, students get a private room but share a kitchen and bathroom.

Advantages:

  • The cheapest option or students

    • Low rent

    • Extremely low deposits compared to both regular apartments and WG’s

  • Close to universities

  • Social life - easy to make friends

Disadvantages:

  • Limited amount of rooms - as well as long waiting lists

  • Smaller rooms compared to a regular apartment

  • Have to move out, after final semester

Tips for finding accommodation.

  • Start looking early – It can take months to find a place.

    • However, keep in mind that neither of the housing options are obligated to give you a place to stay (especially the Studentenwerk). It is your responsibility to secure accommodation.

  • Use websites like WG-Gesucht (for finding WG spots), Immobilienscout24 (for finding apartments), and your local Studentenwerk website for finding Student dorms.

    • For finding your local Studentenwerk search:

      (Insert your city’s name) Studentenwerk

  • Consider living outside the city center for lower rent.

  • BEWARE of Kaution (Deposit):

    • Apartments and WG’s require a (refundable) deposit before you can stay there. This can be between 500-1500€.

    • Deposits on student apartments are noticeably lower and can even be between the 300-500€ range.

      • All this should be on the apartment listing!

  • BEWARE of Zwischenmiete (interim rental agreements)

    • Most advertisements you’ll find on WG-Gesucht and Student forums, will offer you to rent out an apartment but as ZWISCHENMIETE.

    • Zwischenmiete does not allow you to do your Anmeldung!

    • Some advertisements might not explicitly say that it is only Zwischenmiete, so always ask and read the rental agreements before signing.

Housing situation in Germany.

Germany is facing a housing crisis, especially in big cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. Demand for apartments is very high, leading to:

  • High rental prices, In Munich, rent for a small one-bedroom apartment can be €1,500+ per month!

  • Hard competition, Hundreds of people apply for a single apartment.

  • Few available apartments, New housing projects are slow.