Accommodation guide for students in 2026
Looking for accommodation? Check out our guide!
Finding accommodation in Germany is one of the most important and often most challenging parts of your study journey. Whether you’re moving to Berlin, Munich, or smaller student cities like Leipzig, the process can take time, persistence, and preparation.
Demand for student housing has increased significantly in recent years, and by 2026, competition is especially high in major cities.
The good news: the system is relatively transparent, and once you understand how it works, you can avoid common mistakes and secure a good place to live.
When to start your accommodation search
The biggest mistake students make is starting to look for accommodation too late.
Our recommended timeline
- Right after you get your admission, ideally 3 - 6 months before arrival → start researching your options and applying
- 1 - 2 months before arrival → secure temporary housing such as an airbnb or a hotel room if needed. Keep in mind that in bigger cities like Berlin or Munich, it can take 2 - 4 months to find a permanent apartment.
- After arrival → attend viewings and finalize a long-term contract. TO avoid scams, don’t sign a contract or send a deposit, before you have seen the place in person.
Types of student accommodation in Germany
Understanding your options is key to making the right decision. There are four main types of accommodation you should consider.
Student dormitories (Studentenwohnheim)
This is the cheapest option for budget-conscious students and is managed by student services (Studentenwerk). Rent for dorm rooms or 1-room appartments vary city to city and depend on the size and location of the place, but a standard range is €250 – €500 per month. Important tip if want to qualify for a room or a 1-room apartment in a dorm, apply early - ideally as soon as you get your acceptance letter.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Long waiting lists (often several months) |
| Utilities often included | Limited availability |
| Easy setup |
Shared flats (WG – Wohngemeinschaft)
Since dorms are quite limited, very competitive and get taken fast, shared flats are the most popular option among students and are great for those who want affordability but also the option to socialise with others. Rent per room varies greatly from city to city, and depends on the size and location of the place, but a standard range is €350 – €900 per month.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lower cost than private apartments | Competitive selection process |
| Social environment | Often requires interviews with roommates |
| Flexible contracts |
Our insider tip
Private apartments
Private 1- or 2-room apartments are the best solution for students who greatly value their privacy and independence, but they at a premium cost. If you have financial backing from your family, or plan to work alongside your studies this may be the option for you. Rent for 1- to 2-room apartments varies greatly from city to city, and depends on the size and location of the place, but a standard range is €600 – €1,800+.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full privacy | Expensive |
| Long-term stability | Difficult to secure without a proof of steady income |
Our insider tip
Temporary accommodation (short-term)
Unless you get a spot in a dorm, consider booking temporary accommodation for your first two to three months in Germany, in order to look for a more permanent place once you are here. Some of the most common options are airbnbs or hostels, however those can get expensive fast. Another option is to book a fully-serviced apartment, which offers the same benefits as a hotel, but includes a fully equipped kitchen. Monthly rent here is very variable, highly dependent on the city, location and size of the place, as well as busy seasons or big local events that attract tourists or professionals from outside (e.g. Oktoberfest in Munich, a music festival or a big job fair). A sample range you should consider is €500 – €1,500 per month.
Our insider tip
Where to find accommodation in Germany
There are different channels to look for accommodation, depending on whether you are looking for a private apartment, a shared flat, or student housing.
Major platforms
These are the “big players” for traditional long-term rentals (unfurnished). They have the most listings but are highly competitive.
- ImmoScout24: The largest and most popular platform in Germany.
- Immowelt: Another major portal with a wide range of listings across the country.
- Immonet: Often shares listings with Immowelt but still worth checking for unique private ads
Student-focused platforms
If you want to live with other in order to save money and socialize, these are the essential sites:
- Studentenwerk: Apply directly to your local Student Services for a spot in a dormitory (Dorm/Wohnheim). To get started search for Studentenwerk + the name of your city
- WG-Gesucht: The gold standard for finding shared rooms and small apartments. It is very popular with students and young professionals
- Studenten-WG: Specifically targeted at students looking for affordable shared housing.
- University bulletin boards - sometimes spots in WGs are advertised locally with fliers
- Facebook groups - either search for groups accociated with your university name or for “Wohnung frei in [City Name]" or “Rent in [City Name]”
- Kleinanzeigen (Formerly eBay Kleinanzeigen): A massive classifieds site where private landlords often post cheaper, local deals. Be cautious of scams here.
Furnished & Short-term leases focused on expats
Ideal if you need a place quickly before finding something long-term, though usually more expensive:
- Wunderflats: Specialized in furnished, mid-to-long-term apartments.
- HousingAnywhere: Focused on international students and professionals; allows for booking from abroad.
- Airbnb / Flatio: Good for the first few weeks while you attend viewings in person.
Our insider tip
Application process: what landlords expect
Germany’s rental process can be quite formal and often document-heavy, so it is worth to be well prepared in advance. The typical documents, you need to have on-hand include:
- Passport / ID
- Proof of income (or blocked account for students)
- SCHUFA (credit score if available; please note that a meaningful, high credit score usually takes 6 - 12 months to build as you establish a history of consistent payments.)
- University admission letter
- CV & cover letter (Bewerbung)
Ideally have a folder with copies and the originals of all of the above ready to take with you even on spontaneous viewings.
Our insider tip: First impressions matters
Understanding rental costs
In Germany, there are usually two types of rent listed. Cold rent (Kaltmiete) is the base monthly rent, while warm rent (Warmmiete) includes additional operating costs (Nebenkosten) such as heating, water, and waste disposal.
Warm rent is the total amount paid to the landlord, usually excluding electricity and internet. The difference between cold and warm rent in Hamburg typically ranges from €150 to €350+ per month, depending on the apartment.
Security deposit (Mietkaution)
This is something many students forget to include in their budget calculation for the first 6 months in Germany. It usually amounts to 2–3 months of the cold rent and is paid upfront with the first month’s rent. It is fully refundable once you move out of the accommodation, provided there are no damages (other than regular wear and tear if you lived in the same place for a few years).
Common scams and how to avoid them
Unfortunately, housing scams are increasingly common, especially in bigger German cities where demand is quite high. Here are some common scenarios you should be aware of in order to avoid unpleasant situations at the start of your stay in Germany.
Red flags based on real student experiences
- “Landlord is abroad” and cannot show you the apartment in person - the place mostly likely does not exist
- Requests for payment of a deposit before viewing - never pay for a property you have not seen and for which you have not signed a contract
- Unrealistically cheap rent in an otherwise expensive city - the place mostly likely does not exist or is in terrible condition
- Pressure tactics (“someone else is also ready to pay now”) to transfer money quickly before any paperwork is signed or you have gotten a key
Golden rules
Never send money before:
- Seeing the apartment in person or via verified video
- Signing a legitimate contract
- Protect your data: never send a copy of your ID or sensitive documents before you have seen the apartment in person
- Check if the landlord’s identity is verifiable (at the least google them to see if negative reviews will pop up)
- Avoid deals with no paper trail and outside official platforms
If you suspect you have encountered a scam or have already been scammed, you should immediately report the listing (if encountered on an official platform), seek council from your university (they often also offer legal support), contact your bank to try and cancel a payment done if possible, and also file a police report, in case you suspect identity theft.
More insider tips most students learn too late
1. Temporary housing is normal at the start
Many students stay in hostels or Airbnb for the first 2-4 weeks and search for long-term housing locally. This is often more effective than searching from abroad and allows you to visit the property, experience the neighbourhood and surroundings before committing.
2. Speed matters more than than waiting for the perfect place
Good apartments disappear within hours. Set alerts for the main platforms and apply as soon as you see a new listing to ensure you have a chance for a viewing.
3. Your network is powerful
Ask classmates from previous years, get tips from friends of friends, post in university groups and WhatsApp communities to get some leads. Many rooms are never listed publicly, but get handed over from one student to the next within the university ecosystem.
4. Be flexible regarding your criteria
Having specific expectations about what you want from your accommodation is important, but you should also remain flexible about some aspects such as size, location, and move-in date for example in order to secure a place faster.
5. Expect rejections
It’s normal to send 20 to 50 applications in bigger cities, and to only get a few responses for viewings. Keep in mind that in competitive locations, landlords receive hundreds of inquiries within the first few minutes of posting an ad, so they likely only contact the first few people. Persistence is key - don’t get discouraged and keep checking and contacting properties as soon as you spot an ad.
Final advice: how successful students find housing
From our experience, students who succeed in finding affordable housing are those who:
- Start early
- Apply consistently
- Use multiple platforms
- Stay flexible
- Avoid scams
Those who struggle to find a place for months and end-up overpaying for temporary accommodation usually are not proactive enough, wait too long to start their search, focus only on perfect apartments that satisfy all their conditions and ignore shared housing options.