Written By Simon Klys
This guide provides advice for securing an apartment in Germany. From where to look, how to apply and what to expect, our guidance will help you navigate the competitive German rental market with ease.
Related resources
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How to complete your Anmeldung form in Germany
How to use ImmobilienScout24 in English
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Buying an apartment in Germany? Compare mortgages with Hypofriend
Finding an apartment in Germany is tough. In popular cities such as Berlin, demand for apartments far outstrips supply, and competition can be fierce. Not having a secure roof over your head can be very stressful for newcomers to Germany.
However, Germany has one of the lowest homeownership rates in the world. Renting an apartment is the norm for the majority of Germans. Armed with the right information, we believe that expats can also get the most out of the vast German rental market while avoiding many of the common mistakes made while hunting for an apartment in Germany.
Find out how below…
Short-term, furnished apartments in Germany
If you are a newcomer to Germany, then the best starting point is often to book a short-term furnished apartment in Germany. There are many reasons for starting with temporary accommodation:
1️⃣ You need less paperwork to apply
While you may need payslips, a work contract or SCHUFA credit report to secure long-term accommodation in Germany, short-term accommodation usually requires minimal paperwork to apply.
2️⃣ You can usually apply online, often from overseas
Short-term, furnished accommodation can usually be booked and secured online. This allows you to arrange accommodation while still overseas, which ensures you already have a place to call home when arriving in Germany.
3️⃣ The apartments are furnished
Short-term, temporary accommodation is always furnished. In Germany, most long-term apartments are unfurnished – by unfurnished, this means that there are often no curtains, light fittings or even a kitchen! By opting for a furnished, short-term apartment, you will have all the furnishings you need for a comfortable start in Germany.
4️⃣ They usually allow Anmeldung
Anmeldung is the process of officially registering at an address in Germany. It is a legal requirement and a key administrative step in any relocation to Germany. You need Anmeldung in order to:
Apply for a visa at an immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany.
Obtain a German tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer).
Take out contracts in Germany (phone plan, internet plan, gym plan, etc).
Essentially, life in Germany cannot start without first completing your Anmeldung. Thankfully, the majority of short-term accommodation allows Anmeldung, although this is definitely worth checking before committing to an apartment.
❗ Note: The majority of Airbnb apartments and hotels in Germany do not allow Anmeldung. Committing to an Airbnb or hotel that does not permit Anmeldung is a common mistake for unknowing newcomers and can really delay your set-up in Germany.
For information on exactly how to complete your Anmeldung in Germany, see our German Anmeldung Guide.
5️⃣ It buys you time to learn about a town or city
You never can truly know what a city is like before you have lived in it. A neighbourhood that looked fine online may have significant drawbacks in real life. By initially opting for short-term accommodation, you have time to explore a town or city before committing to a long-term place.
Short-term accommodation providers
As detailed above, there are many reasons to opt for a short-term apartment in Germany. However, booking a short-term apartment online can seem fraught with danger, especially due to the high number of current housing scams.
To help ease your fears, here are some verified short-term accommodation providers and platforms in Germany that offer high-quality apartments.
SMARTments
SMARTments offer fully furnished studios and apartments in top locations across Germany. The apartments are beautifully designed yet affordable, allow address registration (Anmeldung), and include a weekly cleaning service. For an in-depth review of Smartments and what they offer, see here.
SMARTments apartments can be quickly booked online and are available in the following locations:
Wunderflats
While Wunderflats is the new kid on the block when it comes to rental platforms, they have quickly established themselves as a leading provider of mid-term accommodation in Germany. They currently advertise apartments for rent in:
Spotahome
Spotahome is a short-term accommodation platform that lists a wide range of apartments across Germany. They have over 110,000 fully verified properties on their platform that can be booked online.
Spotahome focus on offering high-quality pictures and videos in their listings to ensure you have an accurate view of what you are booking.
To see what Spotahome has to offer, start your search here.
Habyt
Habyt offer fully furnished private rooms in great locations across Germany. The company aims to improve the apartment hunting process by offering a simple sign-up process for shared apartments in:
HousingAnywhere
HousingAnywhere is Europe’s largest property rental platform. Here you will find thousands of apartments and private rooms for rent throughout Germany that can be booked securely through the platform.
The company aims to make securing accommodation as simple as booking a hotel room.
To see what HousingAnywhere has to offer, start your search here.
When moving to Germany, booking a room or apartment via one of these providers/platforms is a secure and convenient way to find your first home. While apartments offered by these providers and platforms are generally more expensive, they can be booked quickly (and often from overseas) and ensure you have a roof over your head while searching for cheaper, long-term accommodation in Germany.
For detailed guidance on how to find a long-term apartment in Germany, see below.
How to find a long-term apartment in Germany
To ensure you have a complete overview of exactly how to secure a long-term apartment in Germany, we have split this into four sections:
1️⃣ Searching for long-term apartments in Germany
2️⃣ Applying for long-term apartments in Germany
3️⃣ Moving into a long-term apartment in Germany
1️⃣ Searching for long-term apartments in Germany
When embarking on your long-term apartment hunt in Germany, you first need to know the best places to search for suitable properties.
While there are endless listing platforms to scour through, we think there are two clear frontrunners:
ImmoScout24 – the best platform for finding an entire apartment.
WG-GESUCHT.de – the best platform for finding a room in a flatshare.
ImmoScout24
ImmoScout24 is a leading online marketplace for finding long-term apartments in Germany. The marketplace is vast and ensures you are exposed to a large proportion of the rental options that are out there.
ImmoScout24 has a simple search function:
This search is for an entire apartment in Hamburg that has 2 rooms, is bigger than 50 m2 and costs no more than €800 per month. As you can see in the example, there are 55 apartments that match these requirements.
You will then be shown an overview of the search results:
Simply select a listing you are interested in to read more about the property and to contact the landlord or homeowner.
We definitely recommend creating a free profile on ImmoScout24 – this allows you to save your search settings and be notified when new listings appear that match your search criteria.
For further guidance on how to successfully navigate ImmoScout24, see our full guide on How to Use ImmobilienScout24 in English.
WG-GESUCHT.de
Similar to ImmoScout24, WG-GESUCHT.de is a leading platform for finding long-term accommodation in Germany. However, where WG-GESUCHT.de really excels, is in finding a private room in a flatshare.
WG-GESUCHT.de has a simple search function:
As shown, there are 155 rooms to rent in apartments in Hamburg that are at least 20 m2 and cost less than €600 per month.
You will then be shown an overview of the search results. On the listing, you can see who else currently occupies the apartment (shown in red boxes):
Once you have found a listing that you are interested in, just click on it for further details and to contact the landlord/owner. Note: You will first need to create a free account on WG-GESUCHT.de in order to message a landlord/owner.
Top tips for using ImmoScout24 and WG-GESUCHT.de
Here are some useful tips for finding an apartment in Germany on ImmoScout24 and WG-GESUCHT.de:
✅ It is a numbers game. There can be a lot of competition for long-term apartments, especially in popular areas of major cities. For example, you may need to apply for 10+ listings a day in Berlin and even then it can take some time to land a suitable property. Persistence is key.
✅ Check that the apartments allow address registration (Anmeldung). It is not uncommon for sublets to be advertised, especially on WG-GESUCHT.de. These sublets are sometimes illegal and often do not allow you to officially register your address there so should be avoided.
✅ Provide plenty of detail. Prospective landlords receive a high volume of enquiries. Make sure you include plenty of detail about yourself when reaching out to them, including your employment situation and what documents you can provide to support your application.
✅ Move fast. New listings are added every day and apartments are often snapped up in a matter of days. If possible, be prepared to attend apartment viewings right away.
✅ Focus your search. Read listings carefully to ensure you are a suitable candidate for an apartment as the listing often specifies the type of applicant they are looking for. Do not waste time on listings that you are not suited to. For example, if you have a dog and the apartment does not allow pets, do not apply.
2️⃣ Applying for long-term apartments in Germany
Now that you know the best way to search for and find a long-term apartment in Germany, the next step is to actually apply for and secure an apartment.
Ultimately, prospective landlords need to be confident that you are a reliable, trusted tenant that will not have issues paying the rent. To increase the likelihood of suitable finding tenants, landlords therefore request a range of documents.
Documents required to secure a long-term apartment in Germany
✅ Payslips
If available, provide your 3 most recent German payslips when applying for an apartment. This is a common way to show that you have the required income to pay the rent. If you are a newcomer to Germany, it is likely that you do not have 3 payslips – in this case, you can use other documents to show that you have sufficient funds to afford the apartment such as a current work contract or savings.
✅ Work contract
Providing a German work contract is another surefire way of demonstrating to a landlord that you have the required income to pay the rent. This can be a regular employment contract or a freelance contract if you are self-employed.
✅ Bank statement
If you are a job seeker or low-income earner, then it can often help to show that you have savings in the bank to cover the rent. While often not as convincing as payslips or a work contract, a bank statement showing considerable savings can definitely help assure a landlord that you will not run out of cash for the duration of the lease. It can also help to show your savings in a German bank account as this further demonstrates to the landlord that you are committed to a life in Germany.
Offering to pay a few months of rent in advance can also help assure a landlord that you can afford the apartment while searching for employment.
✅ SCHUFA credit report
Landlords often request a SCHUFA credit report when applying for an apartment in Germany. You can apply for a free SCHUFA credit report once you have:
Opened a German bank account.
Registered at an address (Anmeldung) for the first time in Germany.
Landlords are usually aware that newcomers to Germany either cannot provide a SCHUFA or can only provide a SCHUFA with no data on it. You can order your SCHUFA credit report here.
✅ Personal liability insurance
Personal liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) can help you secure an apartment in Germany. The insurance covers damage to rental property – therefore, landlords view applicants who have personal liability insurance favourably as they know they will be covered if you cause damage to their property.
Starting at roughly €4 per month, personal liability insurance is a small investment considering that it may help you secure an apartment in Germany. When it comes to private liability insurance providers, our favourite policy is with Feather – you can read all about the benefits of a private liability insurance policy and why you should have it when living in Germany here.
✅ Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung
This is a letter from your most recent landlord in Germany declaring that you have no outstanding debts with them. If you have not previously rented an apartment in Germany, then this will not be relevant to your application.
Here is a free Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung template that you can send to your former landlord for completion.
✅ Guarantor letter
If you do not have a work contract, payslips or considerable savings, then your best bet when applying for apartments in Germany may be to provide a guarantor letter (Bürgschaft). This is a signed letter that legally obligates that the signee will cover your rent in the event that you cannot pay. In most cases, this will be signed by a parent.
To be effective, a guarantor letter must be provided by someone living in Germany. The signee must also provide proof that they themselves have the necessary funds to cover your rent.
❗ Note: The documents listed above contain a large volume of personal data. Sharing this data as part of the apartment hunting process is largely unavoidable. To help avoid identity theft, we recommend that you:
Only provide your application documents after viewing an apartment. Fake online listings are common – be wary of sending all your application documents before confirming that the property actually exists.
Redact your documents where necessary. For example, a prospective landlord does not need your tax ID or passport number.
Attending apartment viewings in Germany
Once you have found an apartment in Germany that you like, you may face stiff competition from other applicants. Therefore, when viewing the apartment, there are some key things you can do to stand out to the landlord as a suitable tenant:
Provide a bio page
This should include some information about yourself as well as a picture. It can also be useful to list the application documents that you can provide (e.g. work contract, payslips, SCHUFA, etc.). Make sure your contact details are prominently shown on the bio page.
Landlords are likely showing the property to multiple applicants – by providing a bio page, you will be easily remembered and contactable.
Bring your application documents to the viewing
While application documents are often requested via email after the viewing, it can also be beneficial to have a physical copy of all your documents for the landlord.
In any case, move quickly. If possible, always apply on the same day as the apartment viewing. The next day may be too late and a different applicant may have already secured the lease.
Dress smart and be friendly
Most landlords are cautious as to who they let live in their property. After all, it is usually an important investment for them. So dress smart and be friendly. At the end of the day, you will only land an apartment if the landlord believes you will be a trustworthy tenant.
Bring a gift if applying for a room in a flatshare
If you are applying for a room in a flatshare, you will likely be interviewed by the current tenants. To butter them up, a gift can help to break the ice such as a few beers or pastries.
3️⃣ Moving into a long-term apartment in Germany
Once you have successfully found an apartment, and applied and been accepted by the landlord, it is time to complete the formalities of moving into a long-term apartment in Germany. Here are key steps to complete with the landlord.
The Lease
The first item on the agenda when moving into an apartment is the lease. The lease lays out all the rental conditions, including the rental amount, the payment conditions, the deposit amount, the duration of the lease, the details of the property, the notice period, etc.
The lease will likely be in German – this can be intimidating as you may not know exactly what you are signing up for. To combat this, you may wish to join a Tenants’ Association (Mieterverein) that can assist you with your lease.
Once you are completely happy with the lease, you can sign the agreement. Congratulations – you have just secured a long-term apartment in Germany!
The Handover
Once the lease is signed, you will do an apartment handover with the landlord. This will include:
A handover report (Übergabeprotokoll). This is an assessment of the apartment. This is your opportunity to note down any issues, damages or defects. Be meticulous and take photographs as you may otherwise be held liable for issues when you eventually vacate the property.
A Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form. This is a short form issued by the landlord granting you permission to officially register at the address (Anmeldung). Without this form, you cannot complete your Anmeldung. You must register the address at your local Citizens Registration Office (Bürgeramt) within 14 days of moving into the apartment.
The Keys
At the end of the handover or on the day of entry, you will receive keys to the apartment.
The Deposit (Kaution)
In Germany, you must always pay a deposit when moving into an apartment. The deposit covers the landlord in the event that you cause damages to the property. In most cases, the deposit is equal to 2 months of rent (e.g. if your monthly rent is €800, your deposit will likely be €1600). The full deposit will be returned to you if there are no damages when you eventually vacate the property.
❗ Note: Do not pay the deposit until you have signed the lease and received the keys from the landlord.
Useful tips when moving into an apartment in Germany
Unfurnished really does mean unfurnished
Most long-term apartments in Germany are unfurnished. In Germany, unfurnished can be quite extreme – you may well find there is no kitchen, no appliances and no light fittings as tenants often take these with them when moving between properties. So make sure you check apartment listings carefully before applying for properties to avoid any nasty surprises. If you do not fancy fully furnishing an apartment in Germany, then the furnished accommodation providers listed above may be a better option for you.
If you are moving into an unfurnished apartment, check whether there is an option to purchase furniture from the previous tenant.
Payments are made by bank transfer
In Germany, almost all landlords require that the deposit and monthly rental payments are paid by bank transfer. Cash is generally not accepted for this purpose.
If you are yet to set up a German bank account, then check out our complete guide to banking in Germany and get set up with an account in minutes!
Rent is calculated in various ways
In Germany, your base monthly rent is called your Kaltmiete (cold rent), and this is the rental price that is often detailed on apartment listings. However, you will end up paying considerably more than this as your Kaltmiete does not include your Nebenkosten (utilities).
Therefore, in order to get an accurate picture of your monthly rent, it is best to find out your Warmmiete or warm rent. Your Warmmiete is your Kaltmiete + Nebenkosten so will give you a much clearer indication of your monthly costs.
In this guide, we have detailed how to find, apply for and move into an apartment in Germany. We hope this helps you find your dream apartment in Germany, and that the application process goes smoothly.
For further tips on how to move to Germany, including comprehensive guides on banking and health insurance, see our homepage.
Simon Klys
