Student Accommodation in Germany 2026: A Guide to Dorms and WGs

Student accommodation in Germany consists of 4 options: Wohnheim (state dorm, €300-450), WG (shared apartment, €500-800), private apartment (€800-1,300) and staying with a family (€600-1,000). Short answer: the cheapest is the Wohnheim (but there are few places, a 2-6 month wait), the most social is the WG (you make friends, flexible), the most independent is the private apartment (expensive, isolation risk). The accommodation search takes 2-6 months (from application to moving in), and the Kaution (deposit) and Nebenkosten (extra costs) must be budgeted. In this guide you will find student accommodation options in Germany, cost, pros/cons, the accommodation search process, the top platforms, the deposit and preparing your first apartment — all based on the experience-based tips of real students (Edurs) finding accommodation in Germany with Toedur.

Types of Accommodation: The 4 Options in Detail

Student accommodation in Germany varies by different needs and budgets.

WOHNHEIM (State Dorm):

• Cost: €300-450 a month
• Who it's for: Those wanting social, cheap accommodation
• Advantages: The cheapest, other students around, close to campus, library + sports facilities
• Disadvantages: Few places (2-6 month wait), can be crowded, quiet study is hard, a long waiting list
• How to find: Register at the university accommodation office (automatic when you apply)

WG (Wohngemeinschaft — Shared Apartment):

• Cost: €500-800 a month (rent + Nebenkosten)
• Who it's for: Those wanting social, independent, flexible accommodation
• Advantages: Affordable, you make friends, personal space, flexible, easy to leave if you want
• Disadvantages: Shared kitchen/bathroom (noise/cleaning), risk of an incompatible flatmate, a deposit (Kaution) is required
• How to find: WG-Gesucht.de, Immobilienscout24, Facebook groups

PRIVATE APARTMENT (Alleinwohnung / Mietwohnung):

• Cost: €800-1,300 a month (rent + Nebenkosten + electricity)
• Who it's for: Those wanting independence, quiet study, couples living together
• Advantages: Full independence, private space, no noise, decorate as you like
• Disadvantages: Very expensive, loneliness risk, all the costs are yours, a deposit (Kaution) of 2-3 months' rent
• How to find: Immobilienscout24, eBay Kleinanzeigen, via an agency (2 months' rent commission)

STAYING WITH A FAMILY (Privathost / Airbnb):

• Cost: €600-1,000 a month (Airbnb, Privathost, hostel)
• Who it's for: Temporary (the first 1-2 months), those wanting a family environment
• Advantages: Fast to find (24 hours), family atmosphere, learning (language practice), flexible
• Disadvantages: Expensive, a sense of temporariness, limited privacy, work/school may be far
• How to find: Airbnb, Privathost, Wunderflats, Facebook WG groups

Comparison of Accommodation Types

Which accommodation should you choose? A comparison by feature.

Finding Accommodation: A 6-Step Process

Finding accommodation requires planning and patience. You should start 2-4 months in advance.

• STEP 1 — Choosing Accommodation (before applying): What type of accommodation do I want? (Wohnheim, WG, Private); what's my budget? (€300-1,300); where do I prefer? (close to campus, metro, train)
• STEP 2 — University Registration (during the application): Fill in the university accommodation form (for the Wohnheim); if you prefer WG/Private, add a note to the Wohnheim list; notify the university by email ("I need a Wohnheim" vs "I'll find my own")
• STEP 3 — Registering on Platforms (after applying): WG-Gesucht.de (the most popular); Immobilienscout24; eBay Kleinanzeigen; Facebook WG groups (by city); Wunderflats (short-term)
• STEP 4 — Applications / Scanning Listings (2-4 weeks): Check new listings every day; apply at first sight (popular listings can fill in 5 minutes); check the listing photos; verify the location, heating and accommodation type
• STEP 5 — Interview (1-2 weeks): Video call (Zoom/Skype); live meeting (before your visit to Germany); ask questions (Nebenkosten, Kaution, terms); read the contract (in German)
• STEP 6 — Rental Contract & Moving (1-2 weeks): Sign the contract; pay the Kaution (deposit); arrange the key handover; arrange a moving team or transport, rent boxes

Total Time: 2-6 months (Wohnheim wait) or 2-4 weeks (WG/Private quick find).

Deposit & Nebenkosten: The Hidden Costs

Once you choose accommodation, calculate the Kaution (deposit) and Nebenkosten (extra costs).

Example Calculation (WG, Berlin):

• Rent: €600
• Nebenkosten: €120
• Internet: €30
• Phone: €25
• Total: €775 a month

Top Accommodation Platforms: How to Use Them

The main ways to find accommodation in Germany:

Most Popular: WG-Gesucht.de (you'll see 90% of WG listings here).

Checklist: The Accommodation Search Process

Organize the steps of your accommodation search.

6-9 MONTHS BEFORE (Application time):

• I chose my accommodation type (Wohnheim, WG, Private)
• I set my budget (€300-1,300)
• I made my location choice (close to campus, close to the metro)
• I filled in the university accommodation form

3-6 MONTHS BEFORE (After applying):

• I registered on WG-Gesucht
• I opened an Immobilienscout24 profile
• I joined Facebook WG groups
• I look at listings every day

2-4 MONTHS BEFORE (Active search):

• The listing scan began
• I apply to listings I like (30-50 applications is normal)
• I have video interviews
• I read the contracts

1-2 MONTHS BEFORE (Finalizing):

• I got the acceptance (I'll choose from 1-3 listings)
• I calculated the Kaution
• I read the contract in German + got a translation
• I set the key handover date

STARTING WEEK:

• I hired a moving team (or arranged transport)
• I had the apartment cleaned
• I bought furniture and household items (IKEA, second-hand)
• I notified the university of my accommodation address

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: The Right Accommodation = A Successful Bachelor's

The choice of accommodation affects your academic success. A student living in a social WG makes friends while studying. One living in a quiet Private stays focused. An expensive apartment forces you to work. A cheap Wohnheim provides academic focus.

Accommodation Order of Preference:

• First 1-2 months: Staying with a family (fast, temporary)
• Bachelor's year 1: Wohnheim (cheap, social) or WG (social, balance)
• Bachelor's years 2-3: WG (you've settled in, you have friends) or Private (you've become independent)
• Master's: Private (quiet, research-focused)

An experience from a Toedur Edur living in a WG in Berlin:

My first semester I lived in a WG — a €600 apartment, shared by 4 people. There was one incompatible flatmate, but the other 3 were great. In the 2nd year I moved to a different WG with my friends. Now, as I finish my degree, I'm planning to rent a private apartment (quiet for the Master's thesis). The WG gave me friends, experience and balance throughout my bachelor's.

Verified by Edurs

Our Toedur Edurs have searched for and lived in apartments in Germany. If you want consultancy on choosing accommodation, using the platforms, understanding the contract, cleaning the apartment and calculating the Nebenkosten, you can review Toedur's accommodation consultancy.