Finding a place to live is often the hardest practical task for a newcomer, and it has a deadline attached: you need a tenancy agreement or a landlord’s confirmation to register your address. DAAD advises starting the search at the latest when your place on the course is confirmed, and says halls of residence can often be booked while you are still applying.
What a room costs
DAAD says students pay about 489 euros a month on average for accommodation, with large differences by city. A room in a shared flat averages around 790 euros in Munich and 328 euros in Jena. Halls of residence are often the cheapest option and private flats the most expensive. Rooms are hardest to find in Munich, Frankfurt am Main and Berlin, and in student cities such as Freiburg and Tübingen. These are student averages from DAAD, not a quote for any listing, and rents move.
Three main options
| Option | What DAAD says | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Student residence | Often the most affordable. A room in halls run by student services averages 280 euros a month. More than 40 per cent of international students move into one | High demand, little privacy, early registration needed |
| Flatshare (WG) | Costs for rent, electricity and internet are shared. Almost 30 per cent of students live in one, paying 266 to 790 euros for a room depending on the city | Compromises in using shared space |
| Own flat | Most freedom, most expensive | You must build social contact yourself |
Student services, the Studierendenwerk at your institution, handle halls and also list private rooms. DAAD points to its student residence database for halls.
Rent terms to understand before signing
- Kaltmiete is the basic rent. Nebenkosten are utilities and amenities. Together they make the Warmmiete, the total rent.
- Kaution is a deposit that usually equals three months’ basic rent. It is returned when you move out if the flat is in good condition.
- Many landlords ask for a SCHUFA credit report, a parental guarantee or other proof you can afford the rent. For a viewing, DAAD suggests a short information portfolio with a CV and confirmation of enrolment.
- More flats are rented furnished. Ask which furniture belongs to the flat and whether a payment to the previous tenant is expected.
Warning signs of a scam
DAAD lists these:
- the price is conspicuously low
- photos look unusually professional or AI-generated
- the landlord says they are abroad and cannot meet
- bank details outside Germany, with an IBAN that does not start with DE
- keys to be sent against cash or cash on delivery
- spelling and grammar errors that do not match the photos
- pressure to pay or sign immediately
DAAD’s protective steps: view the place in person or by video, check the agency’s contact details for online warnings, and give no money in advance. The deposit is only due after the tenancy agreement is signed, and reservation or viewing fees are not common. Report suspicious ads to the police and the platform.
If you arrive without a place
DAAD suggests interim options: subletting from someone who is away, overnight accommodation some student services offer for the first days, or a hostel or B&B. Some cities also have co-living spaces, which DAAD notes are very expensive, and “Wohnen für Hilfe” projects where students live with seniors at low cost in return for help.
After you find a place
You must register your address at the residents’ registration office within two weeks of moving in. The Anmeldung guide explains the documents. If you are applying for a visa, the student visa guide shows where accommodation fits in.
SGC does not search for or book accommodation. Landlords and student services set their own terms.