Student housing in Germany: dorms, WGs, and how to avoid scams

Housing is the single biggest stress point for Indian students arriving in Germany. The market is tight in every university city. Dorm waitlists are months long. Private rents have climbed steadily. And the scams targeting international students are sophisticated and frequent.

Start looking the day you receive your admission letter. Not after your visa. Not after booking flights. The day you get admitted.

Option 1: Studierendenwerk dorms

The cheapest and simplest option. Every German university is affiliated with a local Studierendenwerk (student services organisation) that operates student dormitories.

Cost: €200 to €450 per month (Warmmiete, all-inclusive: rent, heating, water, internet, sometimes electricity).

How to apply:

1. Visit your university's Studierendenwerk website
2. Fill out the accommodation application (often available before you arrive in Germany)
3. Indicate your preferred dorm and room type (single, shared, apartment)
4. Submit as early as possible

Waiting times by city:

• Munich: 2 to 4 semesters (seriously). Apply immediately upon admission. Many students never get a dorm room in Munich.
• Berlin: 1 to 3 semesters. Slightly better than Munich but still extremely competitive.
• Frankfurt: 1 to 2 semesters.
• Hamburg: 1 to 2 semesters.
• Smaller cities (Göttingen, Darmstadt, Kaiserslautern, Ilmenau): often available within 1 semester or immediately.

What dorm rooms include: furnished (bed, desk, chair, wardrobe), shared or private kitchen, shared or private bathroom. Internet included. Laundry facilities on-site (coin-operated).

Tip: apply to multiple dorms. Some Studierendenwerke allow preferences for up to 3 locations. Ranking a less popular dorm first increases your chances.

Option 2: WG (Wohngemeinschaft / shared flat)

A WG is a shared apartment where each person has a private room and shares the kitchen and bathroom. This is the most common living arrangement for German students.

Cost: €350 to €700 per month depending on city and room size.

Where to search:

• WG-Gesucht.de: the primary platform. Most WGs are listed here. Create an account and set up alerts.
• Studierendenwerk Privatzimmer: some Studierendenwerke maintain lists of private rooms offered by local landlords.
• Facebook groups: "WG-Zimmer [City]", "Indians in [City]", "[City] Accommodation" groups often have postings.
• University bulletin boards: physical and digital. Check your university's internal housing board.

How to write a WG application that gets responses

Most WGs receive 50 to 200 applications per listing. Indian students often get zero responses because their messages are too generic.

What works:

• Write in German (even if the ad is in English). Use DeepL or ChatGPT to translate, then have a German-speaking friend check it.
• Introduce yourself briefly: name, where you are from, what you study, what semester you are in.
• Mention why this specific WG appeals to you: "I saw you cook together on weekends, I love to cook and would enjoy that."
• Be specific about yourself: hobbies, daily routine, cleanliness habits.
• Attach a photo of yourself (normal photo, not a passport photo).
• Keep it under 150 words.

What does NOT work:

• Copy-pasting the same message to 50 listings
• Writing only in English when the ad is in German
• Long messages about your academic achievements
• Asking about the price (it is in the listing)

The WG-Casting

Many WGs hold a WG-Casting (a flatmate interview). You visit the apartment, meet the current residents, and chat for 20 to 30 minutes. They want to know if you are a good fit socially, not just financially.

Tips for WG-Castings:

• Bring a small gift (a bag of Indian snacks works surprisingly well)
• Be yourself, ask questions about their routines
• Mention if you cook (Germans are curious about Indian food)
• Follow up with a short thank-you message the same evening

Option 3: private apartment

Renting a private apartment alone is the most expensive option and usually not realistic for students in cities like Munich or Berlin.

Cost: €600 to €1,200+ per month for a small apartment (1-Zimmer-Wohnung or studio).

Platforms: ImmoScout24.de, Kleinanzeigen.de (formerly eBay Kleinanzeigen), Immowelt.de.

Only consider this if you have a partner or a higher budget. For most single students, a WG or dorm is more practical and affordable.

Typical monthly housing costs by city

All amounts are Warmmiete (including heating and basic utilities).

Scam red flags

International students are prime scam targets. Lose money before even arriving in Germany. Watch for these:

• Advance payment before viewing: "Transfer the deposit and first month's rent, then I will send you the keys." Never pay before physically seeing the apartment or having a trusted person verify it.
• Price too good to be true: a 30 sqm apartment in central Munich for €300/month does not exist. If the price is 40%+ below market, it is a scam.
• Landlord is abroad: "I am currently in London/Dubai/USA and cannot do a viewing, but you can transfer the deposit via Western Union." Classic scam.
• Fake listings on real platforms: scammers copy real listings from ImmoScout24 to Facebook groups with a different contact email. Always verify.
• Requests for full personal documents upfront: passport, bank statements, and SCHUFA are normal to share at a viewing or after showing interest. Sharing before any contact is risky.

Rule of thumb: never transfer money to someone you have not met in person or verified through a legitimate platform.

Deposit rules (Kaution)

German law limits the deposit to 3 months' Kaltmiete (cold rent, excluding utilities). The landlord must hold it in a separate account and return it (with interest) when you move out, minus any legitimate deductions for damage.

Get a receipt for your deposit. If the landlord insists on cash with no receipt, walk away.

Anmeldung with a WG or dorm

You need a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation) for Anmeldung:

• Dorm: the Studierendenwerk office provides this automatically or on request.
• WG (you are on the lease): your landlord signs it.
• WG (subletting from the main tenant): the main tenant signs it, or you may need the landlord's signature depending on the city.

Some Bürgeramt offices are strict about who signs. Clarify before your Anmeldung appointment.

Temporary housing on arrival

If you arrive before finding permanent housing:

• Jugendherberge (youth hostel): €20 to €40/night, basic but functional
• Airbnb: €40 to €80/night in most cities
• University guest houses: some universities offer short-term rooms for new international students (check with the International Office)
• Friends or community: Indian student WhatsApp and Telegram groups often have members willing to host for a few days

Budget for 2 to 4 weeks of temporary housing. Finding a permanent room from abroad is possible but risky. Most students finalise housing in the first 2 to 3 weeks after arrival.

Related guides on this site

• Apartment hunting in Germany
• Anmeldung: registering your address in Germany
• SCHUFA score: Germany's credit system explained
• Best city in Germany for Indians