Top 10 Ways to find Accommodation in Germany For Students

Navigating the landscape of student accommodation in Germany reveals two primary housing options, each catering to different preferences and budgets. Student unions' private housing and residence halls are typically more expensive than the more affordable choice. Ten percent of students in Germany live in residence halls, according to the Deutsches Studentenwerk. Comparatively, 29% of all German students live in shared apartments, 17% live alone, and 20% live with a spouse. According to the same source, 40% of all international students studying in Germany live in resident halls.

This demonstrates that 60% of overseas students live privately, alone, or with others. The high demand for available spaces in the resident halls, which fill up rapidly, maybe the cause of the majority of students living in private residences. However, we won't talk about other elements that could have also been part of this. If you are applying for masters such as MiM and MBA in Germany then off campus housing can be ideal. 

How can a student in Germany get housing?

For those who have already left Germany, finding a place to stay might be difficult. For this reason, most international students studying in Germany wait until they can personally investigate their possibilities for private housing.

This does not apply to situations when a person is applying for a spot in a residence hall since this is done online and is advised to be done as soon as a person is accepted into studies.

Top Accommodation Tips for New Students in Germany

International students frequently use temporary housing as a stopgap measure until they acquire permanent residence in Germany.  Students studying in Germany have the following alternatives for short-term housing:

• Budget hotels
• Hostels with low prices
• Youth hostels must pay a nominal charge to join your country's International Youth Hostel Federation chapter.
• Use "Privatzimmer" (private room) + your area to locate persons offering private B&B or private rooms online.
• Guest house (pension)

General Requirements

You must complete a few administrative procedures before renting any homes.

• Renters must first sign a Mietvertrag (literally, rental contract). This outlines your deposit, renting period, and monthly payments and is much the same as anyplace else in the globe. Additionally, it explains the limits of the notice period needed before renters can be evicted and what happens if their rent is paid late for whatever reason.
• Rental agreements frequently include two payments in Germany. There is the regular rent and a fee known as the Umlagen. The first is set, while the second, used to cover your landlord's tax and utility payments, can change.
• Second, tenants can be required to sign a Bürgschaft. This outlines who will pay the rent if you cannot do so, kind of like an insurance policy for landlords.
• The Bürgschaft often applies to tenants with insufficient job history or bad credit. Landlords only need some confidence that you won't elude them by not making payments.

10 Recommendations for Accommodation in Germany

A suitable place to live is one of the most crucial components of your relocation if you intend to study in Germany for one or more years as an international student. German student housing shouldn't be prohibitively pricey. It should ideally have everything you need to live in Germany as a student and be as near as possible to your university and the city's major amenities.

We provide you with some pointers for accommodation in Germany. Here, you can learn about your alternatives for finding a student apartment in Germany and what to watch out for when looking for accommodation in Germany.

1. Consider the qualities your German apartment should have

It doesn't seem like a very tough effort to get accommodation in Germany. Finding an apartment might not be so simple, though, if you are a student on a tight budget and are new to Germany. Consider these factors when looking for a home to live in Germany. How much can you spend? Do you favor living alone or with others? What area should your apartment be in? Do you prefer living in the city or on campus?

2. Germany's most widely used flat portals

You have an excellent selection of the most well-known apartment websites if you're a student looking for accommodation in Germany. You may locate furnished studios, one-room apartments, or multi-room homes on Immobilienscout24, Immowelt, or Immonet. Always worth looking through. However, as most apartments are provided without furniture, you should utilize filters only to see furnished apartments while looking for lodging on these platforms. If you want to stay in Germany for at least a year, these websites are valuable since they frequently offer long-term leases.

3. Search for a flatshare in Germany

A shared apartment, often known as a "WG" (short for Wohngemeinschaft), can be the perfect place to live if you enjoy interacting with others. In Germany, shared room requests and adverts are a specialty of internet sites like WG-Gesucht. A shared apartment is not only a sensible method to save costs while maintaining a stylish lifestyle but also a great opportunity to make new friends in a strange place. On the notice boards at your campus, you'll frequently see advertisements from other students seeking roommates in a shared apartment. You can check out Amber Student for that.

4. Short-term housing and interim rent in Germany

Students looking for a flat in Germany may frequently discover furnished rooms or flats for short-term rent on sites like WG-Gesucht in addition to rooms in shared flats. In this manner, you can rent a short-term apartment for a few weeks or months while you explore the area and hunt for additional living options.

5. Residence halls for students at German universities

If you are looking for an apartment in Germany, would prefer to live among other students if feasible, and don't have a lot of money to spend, student residence halls are also an excellent alternative. Additionally, it is feasible for resident halls to be adjacent to or immediately on campus so that you may commute to the institution quickly. You may typically get assistance from your institution in finding a room in a dorm.

6. Living for Help - Housing Partnerships Between Young and Old

Your monthly rent budget as a student is undoubtedly constrained. As a result, you could also uncover free or inexpensive housing options. For instance, the German Student Union's Wohnen für Hilfe program allows you to live with senior citizens for free in exchange for helping them with daily tasks like cooking, gardening, and grocery shopping.

7. Living in an apartment with elderly

Many older individuals rent their rooms to students, even outside initiatives like Living for Help, since they feel more secure knowing they can call for assistance if necessary. Such pleas are frequently found in publications or notice boards in public spaces throughout the city since older folks are frequently antiquated. On housing platforms, you can occasionally locate single-family homes or rooms that seniors lease to students.

8. Staying with a host family

Students from other countries may find living with a host family particularly appealing since it may help you establish a basic social network and connect in your new community. You are instantly immersed in German daily life in your host family, where you may practice your language abilities daily.

9. Check Facebook groups for housing opportunities

You could not find a rental in Germany using the advice provided so far. Next, check out Facebook! In Germany, there are many clubs created especially for international students. You may get together with other students to hunt for an apartment, join a flatshare, or exchange helpful advice. A room in a shared apartment or a flat in Germany might be found by joining Facebook groups for flat hunters in your city.

10. Consult your student association or the Studentenwerk

The German Student Union might be able to assist you if you're having problems locating a place to live in Germany. Nearly every institution has a student organization that aids its members and assists them in finding housing if they are still looking for an apartment. The Studentenwerk can advise you where to hunt for a flat in Germany, where one could have recently become available, or which communities are still looking for roommates.

Breaking Down the Cost of Student Accommodation in Germany

According to DAAD, the majority of students in Germany spend around 900 Euros each month. According to the official figures, in addition to living expenses, accommodation in Germany for foreign students tends to spend roughly 298 euros per month on housing. When including living expenses, those who choose less expensive housing alternatives are likely to pay roughly 218 euros over the same period.

However, if you are getting an education loan in Germany, then you can get this amount as well.

1. Rent Variability by City and Accommodation Type: Rent is the biggest expense, ranging from €300 to €700 per month depending on the city and type of accommodation. For instance, "cold rent" (basic rent) needs to be considered alongside service charges ("warm rent") and a security deposit, which can be up to three months' rent.
2. Student Housing Discounts and Availability: Student housing is significantly cheaper than the average housing cost in each city, with rates averaging from €250 to €400 per month. Due to high demand, it's essential to apply early to secure a spot in these discounted accommodations.
3. Shared Apartments (WG) as an Affordable Option: Shared apartments, or "Wohnungsgemeinschaft" (WG), offer an affordable option. Room costs range from €300 to €700 per month, depending on the city. For example, in Berlin, a WG room can cost between €350 and €600, while in Munich, it ranges from €500 to €700.
4. Additional Utility and Internet Costs: Utilities such as electricity, water, and internet can add an additional €50 to €100 per month, depending on usage. Specifically, internet access might cost €20 to €30 monthly, and utility costs can be around €200 monthly.
5. Money-Saving Tips for Accommodation: To save on accommodation expenses, consider living in more affordable areas with good public transport connections, engaging in rent negotiations for long-term leases, and cycling or walking for short distances instead of using public transport.

Effective Strategies for Finding Student Accommodation in Germany

Depending on the kind of lodging you're looking for, there are several methods to find it in Germany. It is typical to be concerned about student housing if you are a student visiting Germany for the first time or if you have received your acceptance letter to your chosen university. It's a good idea to start planning for accommodation in Germany as soon as possible.

The following are some methods for locating student accommodation in Germany:

1. Local Student Unions (Deutsches Studentenwerk)

Local student unions can be found in each German city (Studentenwerk). These student unions are often in charge of handling the application procedure for resident halls. You should contact your neighborhood Studentenwerk office directly if you wish to reserve a room in a student residence hall in Germany.

2. Notice Boards & University International Office

Contacting the international office of your institution or looking for listings on the university's notice boards are two alternative options for finding housing in Germany. You may also post your advertisements on the notice board at your higher education institution.

3. Platforms for Online Accommodation in Germany

In Germany, using online accommodation sites to identify and reserve student housing is one of the most popular methods. These online apartment search engines typically provide a large selection of apartments on their websites, allowing students to choose the ones that suit their needs and tastes. Some platforms also offer assistance with documentation, such as rent or lease agreements, which may be quite helpful.

Consider the following portals for lodging:

• Housing Anywhere
• Amber Student
• UniPlaces
• Nido Student, etc.

Must-Know Tips Before Relocating to Germany for Studies

As an international student looking for accommodation in Germany, there are numerous factors to consider. Your study abroad experience will be unique, whether you are visiting Germany for the first time or have been there. You should make the most of it. However, we can't let you leave without offering you a couple of our very own pieces of advice. In the following sections, we've developed a list of things we believe you should consider as an international student beginning your experience in Germany. When moving to Germany as a student, keep the following points in mind:

• Start early: The accommodation procedure should always be started as soon as feasible (at least as soon as you receive your university acceptance letter). This will give you plenty of time to consider alternatives without rushing your choice. Make sure the location is convenient, consider all your alternatives, and thoroughly read the contract before signing it. You should also consider what is and is not included in the rent. Students doing MiM in Germany can look up to several other options.
• Seek assistance: Seek advice from friends and acquaintances who you feel have more expertise than you. Perhaps you know someone who lives in Germany or who attended college there in the past. Perhaps they have insider knowledge about locating acceptable housing, or perhaps they know someone who is seeking a housemate (a preferable option to living with strangers).
• Pay no money before agreeing to a contract: Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the world is not flawless. It is important to exercise utmost caution, especially when handing over significant sums of money, as you could run into con artists.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it need not be tough to find accommodation in Germany. In Germany, several options make finding a flat simpler, particularly for students. When looking for a place to live, you must be clear about what you want from your apartment and what factors are significant to you. You will profit from shared apartments, student halls of residence, host families, and other types of shared housing, especially as a student in a new city, because they give you not only a place to sleep but also the chance to meet new people.