What do you need?
Finding suitable accommodation can take time. Start early and use several routes at the same time.
Your location is not decided yet
If your place of study, work or training is not decided yet, prepare your search but do not commit to a flat too early.
Which type of accommodation fits you?
There are several common forms of housing.
- Own flat: more space and privacy, usually more expensive and more paperwork.
- Shared flat or room: often cheaper and quicker to find.
- Student hall of residence: often affordable, but places are limited.
- Furnished or temporary accommodation: useful for the first weeks after arrival.
Where can you search?
- The student services organisation or halls of residence in that city.
- Flat-share and property portals online.
- Your university or its International Office.
- Local listings, for example newspapers or notice boards.
- Personal contacts, colleagues or people you know locally.
- Any portals named are only examples, not a recommendation.
What should you have ready?
Having a few details ready makes enquiries easier.
- Name and contact details.
- Your preferred move-in date.
- Information about your studies, work or training.
- Proof of income or financing, if asked for.
- A guarantee, if required.
- Any other documents the specific landlord asks for.
- Which documents are actually needed is decided by each landlord. There is no list that applies everywhere.
Watch out for dubious offers
Do not transfer money too quickly just to get a flat or a key.
- Be sceptical about unusually cheap offers.
- Never transfer money just to be allowed to view a flat.
- Do not pay a deposit for a flat you have never seen and for which there is no proper rental contract.
- Be careful if supposed landlords are abroad and want to send keys against advance payment.
- Protect your personal documents and data.
Still no flat found?
- Also look for a shared room or a place in a hall of residence.
- Check neighbouring towns with good transport links.
- Ask your university, student services, employer or training company for local tips.
- Temporary accommodation can be a solution for the first weeks.
- If you use temporary accommodation, check beforehand whether you can register your address there.
Costs at the start
With a rental contract there can be additional one-off costs such as a deposit. You can read more in the topic “Understanding housing and rent”.
Flat handover report
Record the condition, damage, keys and meter readings.
Terms on this page
Tap a word. The terms stay in German so you recognise them in letters and forms.
This is orientation, not legal advice. Please check the details at the official source.
Your next steps
Answer a few questions. MeaNext shows you which topics and steps fit your situation.