Find your first place to live

Finding housing from another country is the step people dread most. The good news: your first place only needs to be good enough — you can upgrade once you're local.

Students — in this order:

1. Student dorms (Studierendenwerk): cheapest and safest. Apply the moment you're admitted; waitlists are long in every city.
2. WG rooms (shared flats): the standard way to live — search WG-Gesucht. Write short, personal messages in simple German or English.
3. Private studios: most expensive, most competitive.

Workers: ask your employer about relocation support or temporary company flats; otherwise WG-Gesucht, ImmoScout24, and furnished platforms (Wunderflats, HousingAnywhere) for the first months.

Know the money rules: the deposit (Kaution) is legally capped at 3 months' cold rent, and you're entitled to pay it in three monthly instalments. "Cold rent" (Kaltmiete) excludes heating and utilities — always compare the warm figure.

Crucial for later: whoever you rent from must give you a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation) — you need it for your city registration. Confirm they'll provide it before you book. Hotels and some short-term platforms don't, which blocks your Anmeldung.

Red flags — never ignore these rules:

• Never pay before a viewing (a live video call counts) or via Western Union, crypto or gift cards.
• If the rent is clearly below market and the "landlord is abroad" and can't meet — it's a scam. Every time.
• Legit landlords never rush you. Countdown pressure is a script.
• Ads saying "keine Anmeldung möglich" (registration not possible): that room legally can't be your home — it blocks your registration, tax ID and residence permit. Skip it at any price.
• Demands for 6 months' rent upfront in cash, or a deposit above 3 cold rents — outside the law, walk away.
• "Send your passport copy to reserve the room" before any contact — identity-theft harvesting.