A new life in Germany: Finding a place to live
You’ve made up your mind, finished the TestAS, and are getting ready to say goodbye to mum and dad for the next few years of your life: you’re relocating to Germany.
Before you wipe the final goodbye tears from your face, there’s one major thing you should have sorted out by now: where you’re going to live. And this, my friends, is one of the hardest games you’ll ever have to win in Germany. Saying goodbye to your parents was nothing.
Let us give you the low-down on finding a place to live, to at least make the process a little easier in deciphering all the abbreviations, formalities and requirements of German apartment-hunting.
Why flat hunting in Germany feels like a sport
We call it a game because it can resemble just that: scores of people milling around the perimeter of a freshly vacated apartment, waiting for their chance to swoop in and convince the real estate agent that they are the best possible tenants.
In major cities like Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg, finding your dream apartment can feel like The Neverending Story—except you probably won’t have a huge flying dog to magically transport you to each viewing.
Pro tip: Be realistic. If you’re one of the 11.9% of foreign students at a German university, forking out over 50% of your income (which the DAAD suggests should be at least €934 per month as of 2024/25) isn’t ideal. Unless, of course, you really do envision doing nothing more than staying in your fantastically-expensive flat being surrounded by piles of textbooks. Wanting to live overseas also means wanting to make new friends, and that may prove somewhat difficult if you can’t afford to eat anywhere else other than the student dining hall.
Researching the German rental market
To avoid paying too much for something underwhelming, start familiarizing yourself with the rental market in your specific city. Use portals like Immowelt or ImmobilienScout24 to gauge what your budget actually buys you.
Warning: Be wary of rental scams. If a beautiful flat in the center of Berlin is suspiciously cheap and the „landlord“ is currently abroad—it’s a scam.
Learning the lingo: Common German rental abbreviations
When you start to look at apartment listings, you’ll notice a lot of weird-looking German abbreviations. Things like Whg., OG, TG, Zi. and Wfl. aren’t typos; they are in fact abbreviations for some of the most popular rental terms:
- Whg. – Wohnung (the apartment)
- OG – Obergeschoss (upper floor, i.e. any floor that is not the ground floor)
- EG – Erdeschoss (ground floor)
- DG – Dachgeschoss (loft)
- Stellpl. – Stellplatz (parking space)
- TG – Tief Garage (underground car parking)
- Zi. – Zimmer (room)
- Wfl. – Wohnflasche (living area of the apartment, usually in square metres)
- Qm – Quadratmeter (square metres)
- NK – Neben Kosten (costs in addition to the rental price, usually for electricity and water)
- KM – Kaltmiete (rent does not include the cost of heating)
- WM – Warmmiete (rent includes the cost of heating)
- ZH – Zentralheizung (central heating)
- Miete (the rent)
- NMM – Nettomonatsmiete (net monthly rent)
- MVZ – Monatliche Vorauszahlung (rent in advance)
- K / KT – Kaution (deposit)
- EBK – Einbauküche (built-in kitchen, i.e. the kitchen is included)
- WK – Wohnküche (open-plan kitchen)
- Bad mit F. – Bad mit Fenster (bathroom has a window)
- WG – Wohngemeinschaft (shared apartment)
- EFH – Einfamilienhaus (single family house)
- RH – Reihenhaus (row/terraced house)
- G-WC – Gäste-WC (toilet for guests)
- KDB – Küche, Diele, Bad (kitchen, hall, bathroom)
- VH – Vorderhaus (front of house)
- HH – Hinterhaus (back of house)
- NR – Nichtraucher (non-smokers)
- Nachmieter (tenant who takes over someone else’s lease)
- ca. – circa (approximately)
- zzgl. – zuzüglich (plus / in addition)
Considering a WG (Shared Apartment)
Not all students live alone. In fact, the WG (Wohngemeinschaft) is the backbone of German student life. You rent one room and share the kitchen and bathroom.
- The perk: It’s significantly cheaper and gives you an instant social circle.
- The catch: Less privacy and potential „discussions“ about whose turn it is to clean the fridge.
Read more about the various housing options in Germany in our post „Student housing in Germany: costs, types & tips.“
Apartment inspections: Reality vs the internet
Once you start seeing listings for apartments that suit your taste and your budget, start attending inspections or open houses. You may find that when you view the apartment in real life, as opposed to a picture online, the sunny-looking balcony actually backs on to a waste collection area. While this is probably unlikely, it’s important to realise that not all your expectations could be met. If and when you do happen to view an apartment that you think is wonderful, make sure you are ready to apply for it – quickly!
Applying for an apartment: The paperwork marathon
How do you actually apply? By providing a big stack of neat and orderly documents that detail who you are, where you work, how much money you earn, your credit rating, and so on. German landlords are notorious for their love of bureaucracy, and they expect the following to be included in your application:
- Schufa or credit rating: A Schufa document shows your financial history, including any debt or unpaid bills you may have had. Obviously, it would look better in your rental application if you don’t have a history of debt. If you don’t have access to a Schufa report (if you haven’t previously lived or worked in Germany), you could include a credit rating report from your home country.
- Einkommensnachweis (proof of income): Similarly to providing your credit rating, the landlord wants to feel satisfied that you can pay the rent on time and without financial difficulty. Therefore, you should supply proof of your income in the form of payslips from at least the last three months. If you haven’t had a job in a long time, you could provide a copy of your latest bank statement (not including any sensitive personal information). If you have just started a job, you could provide a copy of your work contract.
- Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung: This mouthful is a certificate of former rent paid. You can obtain this from your former landlord, which acts as proof that you have had no problems in previously paying rent.
- Copy of your passport: To validate your identity.
- Copy of your visa: If applicable.
- Supporting documents: Anything else you think is relevant! Particularly if you are unemployed, and have been for a while, other documents that show you are a trustworthy, reliable person (e.g., proof of enrollment in a University or German language course, references from previous employers) could help in presenting you as a suitable tenant.
Once you have collated all these documents into a neatly bound folder, you’ll need to give them to the agent or landlord that showed you the apartment. They will take your pretty stack of paper away and peruse it for anything that looks risky or undesirable (i.e., not having a regular source of income, having a bad credit rating, etc.). If they think you may actually be suitable for the apartment, they’ll contact you to meet you again in person. You could refer to this as an interview.
Interviewing for an apartment: Making a great impression
Like a job interview, you should present yourself as best as you can, without being fake, cheesy, or over-the-top (Germans have a way of seeing through this!). Just stay honest yet positive, and calm yet enthusiastic.
German landlords may even ask you about your plans for having children, or whether you own any musical instruments. Formulate your answers to these likely questions wisely. For instance, it wouldn’t be in your favor to talk about how you like playing lots of different instruments and need to practice a lot for an upcoming performance. You need to convince them, without lying about anything, that you will be a reliable tenant who will rent from them for a while—thereby saving them the hassle of finding yet another tenant if you move out after only one year.
The rental contract: What to look for
Sooner or later, you will be looked upon favorably and will be offered a rental contract! A normal German rental contract (Mietvertrag) should be thorough. Before you grab your pen, check that it contains these essential details:
- Length of the agreement: Is it indefinite (unbefristet) or for a fixed term?
- Rent amount: This should clearly state the „cold“ rent (Kaltmiete).
- Additional costs: Clear breakdown of utilities like heating, water, and trash.
- Term of notice: Usually 3 months in Germany.
- Deposit amount: Usually 2–3 months of cold rent (and the interest it earns).
- Redecoration clauses: Expectations for repainting when you move in or out.
- Rent increases: Conditions for possible future price hikes.
- Inventory list: For furnished rooms or included kitchens, check every item in the presence of the landlord. If something is damaged, document it in writing immediately so you aren’t charged later.
- Existing damage: Any scratches, leaks, or scuffs currently in the flat.
- House rules (Hausordnung): Quiet hours, hallway cleaning, and snow removal duties.
- Repair responsibilities: A definition of which repairs the landlord covers versus those you must pay for.
Crucial advice: Ensure that you understand every word before you sign. If the German legalese is too dense, ask a friend or colleague with rental experience to help you. Once signed by both parties, it is legally binding.
Dealing with disputes in Germany: The Mieterschutzbund
In Germany, tenants have strong rights. There are numerous Tenants’ Associations (Mieterschutz-Verein) that provide professional advice if you ever experience conflict with your landlord. You can find these in almost every city via the Deutscher Mieterbund (DMB).
Generally speaking, if you follow the house rules, respect your neighbors, and take care of the place like it’s your own, you’ll have a smooth experience!
Staying determined: Don’t give up!
Although we certainly hope you find an apartment quickly, the competitive rental market in larger German cities means you likely won’t get the first place you visit.
It can take a few months—or even longer—to land the right spot. This makes it crucial to begin your search early and enter the process with the expectation that it will take time and effort. Stay determined, keep your documents ready, and you will eventually find a place that feels like home.
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