How To Find a Student Apartment in Germany

German housing terms

Before we discuss how to find the perfect student apartment, it's useful to define a few key German terms. Germans have their own mini-language where housing is concerned, so here's a quick glossary to help you navigate during your search.

Firstly, Erdgeschoss means ground floor. After that, look for the word Stock after numbers to denote different floors.

Apartments are referred to as a Wohnung, and sharing an apartment is called living in a Wohngemeinschaft (or WG). Smaller one bedroom apartments may also be referred to as an Einzimmerwohnung. Frei also means "free", as in ready to rent.

The word möbliert means "furnished" – which actually isn't that common in Germany.

Finally, there are financial terms. Your deposit will be referred to as die Kaution, while rental payments are Miete, which has to be paid to der Vermieter (your landlord).

Before you can rent any properties, you'll need to sort out certain administrative formalities.

Firstly, renters need to sign a Mietvertrag (literally, rental contract). This is pretty much the same as anywhere else in the world, and sets out things like your deposit, rental term, and monthly payments. It also contains information about terms of notice required before tenants can be evicted, and what happens if rental payments are delayed for some reason.

In Germany, rental agreements tend to feature two payments. There's the standard rent, as well as a charge called the Umlagen. The first is fixed, but the second can vary, as it covers bills and tax payments by your landlord.

Secondly, renters may have to sign a Bürgschaft. This is like an insurance policy for landlords, and specifies who will pay the rent if you aren't able to do so.

The Bürgschaft generally applies to renters with shorter work histories or poor credit ratings. Landlords just want some form of reassurance that you won't run away without paying.

How much does it cost for a student to live in Germany?

Generally speaking, Germany isn't an expensive place to rent (at least compared to many other European countries).

Expect a one bedroom city center apartment to rent for around €700, rising to €1,300 for a 3-bedroom property. Divided between 3 people, that's around €450.

The average monthly living costs for a student in Germany total around €850 – so bear that in mind as well when picking the right room, you'll need money for books, food, and socializing.

How much do apartments cost in Germany?

Alternatively, you might have the resources to actually purchase student accommodation. Prices vary depending on which city you are living in, and how close you are to the city center.

As a rule, expect to pay almost €5,000 per square meter in the center of town, and as little as €3,500 in the suburbs.

When you've arranged the finance, asked someone about guaranteeing your rent, and looked into the way rental agreements are written, it's time to start house hunting. For students, this generally means looking for a WG.

What is a WG in Germany?

WG stands for Wohngemeinschaft. This literally means shared apartment. However, the apartment is less important than the agreement signed between renters to pool their resources and share monthly payments.

Usually, in a WG everyone will have their own room but share living and cooking spaces. Bedrooms won't usually be furnished, so factor that into the cost of joining a WG.

What is a Zweck-WG?

Sometimes, you may see WG's advertised as Zweck-WG arrangements. In this case, there's no legal difference. You still sign the same agreement and move in with other people.

The difference is cultural. In a Zweck-WG, occupants won't know each other beforehand, and there's no pressure on tenants to be friendly. They may become great friends, and letters often enjoying hanging out and sharing the space, but for a while, the tenants will be strangers. Fortunately, most WGs are more informal and are not Zweck-WGs.

If you're moving to Berlin and looking for your new home, Hope Apartments Berlin rents out furnished cozy and charming apartments equipped with all necessities. The company has offers ranging from modern studios to big family apartments in all central districts of Berlin. 

Going online to find a WG isn't the only accommodation option for students. Even though it may seem fairly old fashioned in the digital age, you can also seek accommodation via want ads, and Germans often do so.

People starting WGs are often on the lookout for tenants, and they may well resort to search sites like WG-gesucht. You can create a short ad, discuss who you are, what you need, where you'd like to live, and - importantly - how much you are willing to pay. When writing your ad, keep things simple and informative. Provide any relevant information, but not more than is necessary.

As a student, you'll probably have other options when seeking accommodation, so why not use them? For instance, your university will almost certainly offer assistance for foreign students who need apartments.

Just as importantly, most universities have what is known as a Schwarzes Brett. This notice board is usually placed in the cafeteria or some other popular spot. It's often covered in notes requesting flat-mates, with phone numbers attached. If you need a short term room while you settle in, they are good places to look.

These days, the Schwarzes Brett tends to be digital as well. So use your university's online resources if available.

Noticeboards can also be a great way to find secondhand furniture and appliances, tickets, textbooks, and much more.