Finding Student Housing in Germany: A Practical Guide
Rent is one of the largest costs in any German budget, frequently taking up roughly half of a student's monthly outgoings. Finding a place is well known to be tough, since demand always runs ahead of supply — but it is far from impossible. The five routes below break the search down into practical approaches.
Five Routes to Securing Student Housing
- Rooms allocated through public universities
- Private housing providers that focus on students
- Housing companies open to the general public, including workers and families
- Subletting via online platforms or personal contacts
- Short-term and temporary stays
1. Rooms Through Public Universities
German public universities genuinely try to supply rooms for their students. The body that coordinates and assigns student housing on behalf of public universities across German cities is the Studierendenwerk — in Berlin, for instance, it runs as Studierendenwerk Berlin.
Students enrolled up to master's level and under 30 have the best chance of being given a room through the Studierendenwerk. To apply, go to their website, pick the housing option that fits you, and fill in the details. Once you have submitted, check your email daily and make sure you click the confirmation link so you remain on the waiting list.
Doctoral candidates may sometimes find a supervisor handles the arrangements, including an airport pickup, so it is worth asking what support is on offer. Expect to pay on average up to €200 — the most affordable option and still a reasonable standard of student accommodation.
2. Private Student Housing Companies
This route mainly suits public university students over 30 who are on a master's course, as well as students at private universities. Providers in this space include House of Nation, Studentendorf, Studentenwerk and Berlinovo. Average costs sit around €400, rising depending on location and room size.
3. Private and Public Housing Companies on the Open Market
Students can also search alongside the general public. The requirements here are stricter and your chances of landing an apartment alone are lower, but teaming up with one or two classmates can improve your odds through a joint application. Typical documents requested include:
- A Schufa report — a credit record showing reliability in paying bills in Germany
- Proof of monthly income, such as the last three payslips; a bank statement usually matters less than showing a steady income flow, or an affidavit of support from a sponsor
- A rental debt exemption certificate from your previous landlord
Providers include Deutsche Wohne, Gewobag and Degewo, and listings can be searched on platforms such as Immobilienscout. Depending on the city and the number of rooms, costs generally start from €500 upwards — rarely cost-effective on a student budget unless shared with a fellow student roommate.
4. Subletting Through Online Platforms or Friends
Compared with the alternatives, subletting is usually the fastest and simplest route. Homeowners with spare rooms sometimes rent them out for various reasons. In these arrangements the owner should supply everything in the house, with all bills included in the rent. You sign the rental contract directly with the homeowner rather than the actual landlord, which makes you a subtenant. The downside is that the owner may overcharge, since there is no cap on what they can ask. Sites where sublet rooms are commonly found include Facebook Market, WG Gesucht and WG suche.
5. Short-Term and Temporary Stays
The last route is the classic one: booking a hotel, AirBnB or hostel. These can be found by searching specific hotel names or through hotel search sites such as booking.com. Hotels are naturally the most expensive, averaging around €100 per night. AirBnB can be more economical, especially since you can cook for yourself, at roughly €30 per night. Public hostels charge daily rates too and may agree to provide city registration details for your Wohnung anmeldung if you have not yet secured accommodation, at around €15 per night.
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Whichever route you choose, start your search early and keep your documents ready — a Schufa report, proof of income and a rental debt exemption certificate can speed up an application. Applying to the Studierendenwerk as soon as you are enrolled, and checking your email for the confirmation link, keeps you on the waiting list. Combining a shared application with classmates can also improve your chances on the open market.