How To Study In Germany: 6 Short Steps From Idea To Admission

This step-by-step guide to studying abroad will save you from the confusion 🤷‍♂️ and the overwhelming amount of information available on the internet. 🤩

With its trendy cities and low tuition fees, it’s not hard to see why Germany remains at the top of the non-native English-speaking countries for international students.

If you want to study abroad and chose Germany as your destination, you are in the right place.

This step-by-step guide to studying in Germany will save you from the confusion and the overwhelming amount of information available on the internet. Simply follow these steps to secure yourself a timely admission to a university and prepare for your stress-free relocation.

Study Abroad - Useful Tips

How to study abroad? International Students guide to finding Accommodation? Can I study without a Blocked Account? Answers to these and many other questions you will find here.

Step 1: Budget Evaluation

When you are considering studying abroad, the first and the most important is to calculate your budget and the possibility of obtaining a scholarship or a loan.

The majority of universities in Germany do not provide accommodation, hence you need to calculate accommodation & blocked account costs separately from the budget you allocate to studies.

If you are aiming for low tuition or free of tuition fees courses at state universities, please refer to the Uni Assist website and proceed with your application accordingly. All the necessary information may be found there.

Step 2: Program Choice

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Photo by David E. Hofmann

This step is dedicated to deciding which course you are interested in, according to your budget, language knowledge and preferences. It is highly recommended to start this process not less than 3 months before decision making. According to the budget, you can aim for different programs:

1000 € - 3000 € annual budget

This is a sufficient budget for short- and mid-term German language lessons in Germany.

The majority of the University programs in Germany are in the German language, hence if you know the language, you can secure yourself admission in free programs after completion of the course.

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3000 € - 6000 € annual budget

This is a sufficient budget for long-term German language lessons as well as Studienkolleg – 1-year preparatory course in the German language. There are no Studienkolleg in the English language.

Successful Feststellungsprüfung (exam after 1 year of Studienkolleg) guarantees your admission to a free university.

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6000 € - 9000 € annual budget

This is a minimum budget for the Private University Foundation, Bachelor (B.A. / B.Sc.) and Master (M.A. / M.Sc) programs in the English or the German languages.

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9000 € - 12000 € annual budget

This is a good budget for Private University or Business School Foundation, Bachelor (BBA / B.A. / B.Sc.) Master (M.A. / M.Sc) programs in the English or German languages.

It is also a minimum budget for MBA programs in the English language.

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12000 € and above

This is a good budget for High-Ranked Private University or Business School Foundation, Bachelor (BBA / B.A. / B.Sc.) Master (M.A. / M.Sc) programs in the English or German languages.

It is also a good annual budget for the MBA programs in the English language.

Study Abroad - Contact Form

Interested to Study Abroad? Contact me today for a free consultation. Feel free to reach out at any time. I am happy to lend a hand.

Step 3: Documents Preparation

According to your budget and the selected direction, you need to evaluate the level of your education and language knowledge.

Recognition

To study in Germany you need to have a recognized Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB) - a confirmation that your degree is accredited. You can see if you qualify for studies in Germany with your diplomas on Anabin (KMK) website. If you are allowed to take up higher education studies at a state-recognized university in your country, the possibility that your foreign diploma is recognized as an equivalent to German is high. However, you need to confirm it here.

If your school leaving certificate allows you to study in your home country, you should be able to secure a place to study in Germany as well. Make sure to check if your secondary school leaving certificate (High School Diploma, Matura, A-Levels, IB, American Diploma with or without SAT, Bachilerato, etc) is equivalent to the German Abitur. A-Level and IB have strict subject requirements. Contact me to find out more.

In the case when a diploma from your home country is not equivalent to a German diploma you will also learn on that website if you need to take further examinations to be granted access to German Higher Education (Studienkolleg).

In Studienkolleg, you will learn the German language as well as selected a list of subjects that are relevant for the chosen major. Students with qualifications from outside Europe may need to take Feststellungsprüfung entrance examination after attending a preparatory Studienkolleg. Exceptions apply. Contact me to see if you qualify for an exception.

If you already have a Bachelor Degree, you can apply for a Master program in Germany. With relevant work experience, you can also consider MBA programs.

If you have already completed a few semesters or years at an accredited university, your credits can be taken into consideration and you can apply as a transfer student.

Language

You’ll also need to check the language requirements. Would you like to study in English, German or both languages? How well can you speak, read and write?

One of the main prerequisites of the German visa is German language knowledge (A1 to C1 according to the situation). Should the university teach in English, you are required to submit confirmation of the English knowledge.

There is a myriad of language schools & preparatory courses in Germany, where you can take German language lessons from scratch (as an example online), learn the language while you are preparing for a visa. This way, when you arrive, you will have a minimum command of the German language.

Step 4: Research

Start researching at least 3 months before deciding. Mind the deadlines of the universities & make sure to read about the school & university system in Germany before you proceed.

Study In Germany - Schools & Universities

Having a German Diploma is prestigious. University degrees are accredited, recognized and accepted in the whole world. Calculate your admission chances here.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has a database of almost 2000 programs available to search from, including 1,389 programs in English. There are a lot of mixed programs available as well (English and German).

Types of Programs by Visa Type:

• German Language Courses:

  • Short-term (below 90 days with Schengen Visa)

    • You are not required to open the Blocked Account with this visa type

    • You need to go back to your country once you finish the course

    • You are not allowed to work with this visa

    • You cannot apply to universities or extend visa in Germany

  • Long-term (above 90 days with National Visa)

    • You must sign up with Studienkolleg / Master enrollment program

    • Language visa is not a stand-alone visa. You need to have an additional course or university admission plan in mind

    • You are required to open the Blocked Account with this visa type

    • You can stay in Germany to apply to universities with this visa (up to 2 years from the entry to Germany)

    • You are not allowed to work with this visa (exception: Christmas & Easter holidays only)

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• Preparatory Courses (Studienkolleg)

  • Long-term (above 90 days with National Visa)

    • You are required to open the Blocked Account with this visa type

    • You can stay in Germany to apply to universities with this visa (up to 2 years from the entry to Germany)

    • You are not allowed to work with this visa (exception: Christmas & Easter holidays only)

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• University Courses (Foundation, Bachelor, Bachelor, Master, MBA)

  • Long-term (above 90 days with National Visa Type D)

    • You are required to open the Blocked Account with this visa type

    • You can stay in Germany after graduation to search for a job (18 months)

    • You are allowed to work with this visa (20 hours / week – 240 days / year; 40 hours / week – 120 days / year)

    • Majority of Business Programs include an Internship (work semester) at a company

According to what plays the biggest role in your university selection, you need to research more on the topics of:

1. Location

2. Accreditation

3. Ranking

4. Major Choice

5. Minimum Entry Requirements (GPA)

Step 5: University Choice and Application

Finding a university in Germany according to your major will not be a problem, because of the available opportunities. The amount of choices and quality is very high, the question rather is if you have a preferred city in mind.

I recommend to apply to several universities (up to 5) instead of counting on just one, this broadens your choices, escalates your success chances and you would not waste time if one university does not provide a positive answer. Finding a university and a study program may take time if you haven’t given much thought to this, please let me know if you need assistance in your search.

Consider university intakes and deadlines before making your application and make sure to have all documents in order. Strictly follow the admission process of an individual university or ask me for assistance.

Study Abroad - Application Form

Interested to Study Abroad? Apply with me today to a university of your choice. My consultations are free of charge. Contact me any time.

Application Documents Overview:

Now that you have decided what university and what study program you want to attend you must collect your documents and organize them.

In Germany, you need to submit relevant to future studies education level proof. It means if you have a Bachelor and Master degrees already, but you are applying for a Master in Germany, you need to submit your Bachelor Degree.

Education proof

• 11th or 12th grade result for Studienkolleg / Bachelor

• Bachelor result for Master

• Diplomas are generally not accepted

• HND or community college is difficult to have recognized in Germany and to have them accepted towards bachelor studies etc

• If you already have Master or MBA degree - make sure to have it ready for application as well

Language proof

• English

  • IELTS

  • TOEFL

  • PTE

  • Waiver*

• German

  • DSH

  • Test Daf

  • Goethe Zertifikat

  • TELC

  • Alternative

Additional Documents

Passport, motivation statement (very important)**, Application Form with Application Fee**, Financial Solvency***, CV (if relevant), work experience proof (if relevant).

Important Facts

1. If all of your documents are in German it is a safe bet. Some universities also accept documents in English.

2. Once you have gathered all the necessary documents for admission, go ahead and apply directly unless the requirements state to go through the Uni Assist.

* Generally studying in English medium previously is not enough unless university is British/American or alike. If English was used actively at work (and you have sufficient work experience to prove it - it might also work.

**To be prepared after university selection has been done.

**Some universities will ask you for proof you have sufficient funds to cover 1-year tuition fees. The blocked account might not be enough - be ready to submit additional proof.

Still unsure which blocked account option to choose? Choose Coracle! (The best option for international students in 2020-2024)

Some universities provide application fee & English test waiver as well as scholarship options. Contact me to find out more.

Step 6: Admission & Visa

Admission to private universities and language schools can take 1-3 weeks. Whereas state universities and Studienkolleg on average take 1-3 months to get back to the applicant with the admission decision.

Conditional (Provisional) Offer Letter

Once you have secured admission at a university or language school where fees apply, the school will send you a provisional (conditional offer letter).

-> You have 1 or 2 weeks’ time to consider other options and to finalize your decision.

• This is the right time to

  • Apply for a Blocked Account opening

  • Schedule your visa appointment date

Provisional Acceptance letters cannot be used to apply for a visa, but can already be used to open your Blocked Account and to transfer the sum. It is highly recommended to start the Blocked Account procedure from the moment you have received the offer.

To avoid missing out on the visa appointment time & date, schedule it right away. It is easier to cancel it, should you not make it.

On average, the university gives you 10 days to pay a security deposit to save your seat in the program. To finalize your decision, the enrollment fees to secure place in the program are to be paid (from 1000 to 4000 Euro according to university choice).

Once the fees have been paid, you receive visa documents per post or per email.

Visa Application

Due to queues in the German embassies, make sure to make a timely application at the Consulate or the Embassy nearest to you. If you are living in a different from your home country, you can also apply for a German visa in the German embassy there.

Things to keep in mind:

• Make sure to collect all the required documents in one file and to arrive on time for your visa appointment

• Insurance & Accommodation confirmations are not required for visa application. Generally, applicants are asked to submit international insurance covering you for 90 days abroad when picking up the passport from the embassy (apply here for the best German Insurance)

  • I highly recommend you to start searching for accommodation 90 days prior to arrival in Germany.

• If you have a large gap between previous studies and future studies in Germany, it is not a problem for the German embassy, as long as you can clarify it in your motivational statement and CV (Curriculum Vitae) – tell more about your work experiences and occupations

• General National Visa Rule waiting times are 19 working days (1 month), but due to high queues in some countries, a decision may last up to 3 months.

  • In difficult cases (previous visa refusals to Germany or other countries), the decision may be up to 6 months.

Study Abroad - Application Form

Interested to Study Abroad? Apply with me today to a university of your choice. My consultations are free of charge. Contact me any time.

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Related Articles:

1. The Ultimate Guide To Finding Accommodation In Germany For International Students

2. Study In Germany Without Blocked Account

3. 18 IELTS Tips And Tricks To Get Band 7 Or Higher

4. Study In Germany - Schools & Universities
   

Why Studying In Germany May Be Your Fastest Way To Finding Work?

With its trendy cities and low tuition fees, it’s not hard to see why Germany remains at the top of the non-native English-speaking countries for international students.

While many prospective students tend to think of the United Kingdom and the United States first when considering where in the world they want to study, Germany remains ‘best country for educational tourism’ for 2 consecutive years according to Study.EU.

Study in Germany to secure a bright employment future in the EU and consequently in the whole world!

Study In Germany. Why?

1. 'Made In Germany' – The Seal Of Quality

Well-known companies & brands including BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Bayer, Munich RE & Football Clubs FC Bayern, Borussia Dortmund call Germany home.

According to the statistics, the largest German employers are Volkswagen (642,000 employees worldwide), Deutsche Post (519,000), Robert Bosch (402,000), Schwarz-Gruppe (retail, 400,000) and Siemens (372,000).

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2. Free Education & Scholarships In Germany

Public universities in Germany

You can study in Germany for free in public universities. You can also study in Public universities in the English language. Germany offers affordable education with free or low tuition fees in state universities as well as competitive tuition fees in private universities.

Don’t forget to check DAAD Scholarships Data Base to find the scholarship matching your profile. All my students were able to secure a 10-20% scholarship minimum!

Private universities in Germany

If you choose private schools, as everything is relative in life, they are cheaper than UK, USA, NZ, Australia, and Canada at least 2 times but offering the same value/level of education or even higher.

Every private university offers their own merit-based scholarships. Make sure to inquire with the university you are applying to.

Germany has a lower cost of living in comparison to the UK, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The cost of living in Germany is on the European average. Rent costs, clothing, food, and activities are relatively low.

Rents in Hamburg, Munich, and other metropolitan cities are higher than average. However, relative to other European cities, i.e. London or Paris or rents in the USA, the accommodation expenses in Germany are rather low.

3. German Student Visa Facts & Benefits

• 1-3 months waiting time. Average of 19 working days

• One mandatory requirement: Blocked Account with 10236 Euro

• Gaps for the German embassy are irrelevant

• Possibility to bring spouse and children on a study visa

• Very low-risk visa – secure future

• Permission to work during studies, right after studies and 1.5 years to search for a job after graduation (job-seeking visa)

• German passport is one of the world’s most powerful passports (#1-3 in the world)

• Foreigners are allowed to travel in the whole Schengen Area Visa-Free after reaching Germany!

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International Students in Germany

Foreign students have permission to work while studying and to extend their visas accordingly.

During studies

120 full-time days a year

(40 hours a week)

240 part-time days a year

(20 hours a week) 

After studies

18 Months “Job-Seeking Visa”

Work Visa

Permanent Residence (after 5 years)

German Passport (after 7 years)

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4. A Possibility To Study In English – Foreigners Are Welcome!

German is a national language, however, English is widely spoken. In big cities, locals are often brought up bilingual, communicating freely in the English language. There are plenty of opportunities to study in English or German or English/German tracks.

Germany is one of the safest countries in the world. By day or by night, you can move around freely. Social levels are very high, whereas crime rates are close to none. It is the perfect location to start a family as you can easily bring spouse and children and you will know they are always safe.

Japanese restaurants, Indian shops, Mosques, and orthodox churches nearby – this is Germany with mixed cultures and acceptance.

Foreigners make up 13% of the total population. 10,6 million foreigners from all over the world are living in Germany. Most of them come from Turkey, Poland, and Syria. There are plenty of Indian, Chinese, and Russian students across the universities.

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5. Top Quality Teaching With The Career Support

The quality of all higher education institutions in Germany is equally good. It mainly depends on what you want to study. Germany is one of the leading countries with the best education levels. Highly qualified staff provide excellent learning opportunities. Given the resources, you can develop your intellectual abilities and personal skills to reach your full potential.

Career centers at German Business Schools for job placement and career counselling are offering support. When you are choosing universities of applied sciences, Hochschule, or business schools you will have an amazing experience with a hands-on approach. Efforts of the university directly correlate with your employability and the starting minimum salary after graduation!

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Business Schools in Germany 

…have many more benefits to this:

• Attracting guest speakers

• Visiting companies

• Hands-On approach

• Case studies

• Real-life scenarios

• Teachers from the industry

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6. The Low Unemployment Rate & High Income In Germany

Salaries in Germany

On average, university graduates earned an annual gross salary of 43,000 Euro in 2018.

Students of mathematical and technical subjects, including IT (Information technology), have better salary prospects.

Hourly pay 

• 9,47 Euro legal minimum as of 2018 April

• It is a usual practice to earn 10-13 Euro on an hourly basis

• Working students earn 15-30 Euro per hour on average 

Social contributions

Foreign students taking employment in Germany are protected by unemployment, health, nursing care, pension, and accident insurance.

Tax benefits

If you stay and work in Germany after graduation, you can often deduct previous tuition fees from your income tax.

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7. German Economy & Work culture – Work-Life Balance

The secret to Germany’s happiness and success are the values. Germans not only work 35 hours a week on average, but they also earn a good salary with full social benefits – all that including 6 weeks paid leave per year (according to Huffington Post Research).

Germany is one of the EU (European Union) founding members and an active UN (United Nations) member striving to promote international cooperation and safeguarding world peace. Its economy is the largest in Europe and the fourth largest in the world.

Most of the exports are products, associated with mechatronics, automotive industry, electrical engineering, environmental technology, and pharmaceutical & chemical industry. Germany offers political and economic stability, which makes it an ideal place for studying abroad. Germany is one of the three largest exporting nations followed by the USA & China.

2/3rd of the major global industrial events take place in Germany attracting more than 10 million visitors. Germany is the world’s premier location for 150 international trade fairs. “Made in Germany” is a world recognizable seal of quality. According to the research across six categories (people, governance, exports, tourism, investment & immigration, and culture & heritage), Germany has replaced the United States as the country with the best “brand image”

Development of subcultures, art, music, culture with history and architecture are more reasons bringing international students to Germany. Every city is different and beautiful in its own way:

• Hamburg is famous for aircraft construction, media, and trade companies, due it’s port access;

• Stuttgart and Munich have a strong presence in the automotive and manufacturing industry.

  • Bavaria is High Tech oriented

  • Baden Württemberg is famous for vehicle construction

  • Rhine-Neckar focus is chemicals and IT

  • Frankfurt is the finance hub

  • Berlin is considered Europe's startup capital

Industrial hubs are highly decentralized with medium-sized enterprises currently embracing 99.6 % of German companies. Startup culture attracts youth and the government highly supports locals and foreigners alike to bring their ideas to life. Germany is leading in Entrepreneurship according to the 2018 World Ranking.

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8. Availability of courses with 2 starting dates per year

You can start studies twice a year: in September and in March! No time waste. Start studies in Germany now!

Best of luck with your future studying & working journey in Germany!

Study Abroad - Application Form

Interested to Study Abroad? Apply with me today to a university of your choice. My consultations are free of charge. Contact me any time.

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Related Articles:

1. Study In Germany Without Blocked Account

2. Increasing Your Employability In Germany In The Times Of The COVID19

3. Study in Germany Requirements for International Students (IB, A-Levels, American Diploma, SAT)

4. Why Study In Germany?

The Ultimate Guide To Finding Accommodation In Germany For International Students

This page provides tips & tricks to help you in your accommodation hunt in Germany and to make your experience less expensive and daunting.

When foreigners arrive in Germany, they experience their first shock: what to do before and after moving to a flat and how to find one?!

The degree of the apartment supply and demand depends on the city, hence the drastic difference in the rental fees. Finding housing in busy cities can be very time-consuming, particularly in Munich & Frankfurt as well as the other big cities: Stuttgart, Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg.

This page provides tips & tricks to help you in your accommodation hunt in Germany to make your experience less expensive and daunting. German visa application does not require you to have a secured accommodation option, hence you have plenty of time to have stress-free research.

Accommodation In Germany Options

Germans tend to rent a flat instead of buying one, especially in towns and cities. Houses are mostly common in villages and on the outskirts of smaller towns. The country offers a wide range of the rental opportunities:

• Apartment

  • Unfurnished

  • Furnished

You can expect to pay on average 500-1000 Euro per month for a 1 - room flat, depending on the location, utilities, and furniture. Ancillary costs (water, gas, heating) range between 8 Euro per square meter in rural areas and small towns to 12 Euro in large cities.

• Room in a shared apartment

  • Unfurnished

  • Furnished

• Dorm

  • Private Campus Studio

  • State Student Residence Room

• Interim Solutions

  • Airbnb, Couch Surfing

  • Hotels, Hostels & Holiday Apartments

A hotel room costs on average about 90 Euro per night. Youth hostels charge 25 Euro per night on average. There are cheaper or free options available with the Couch Surfing experience.

Monthly Cost for a Room In Germany (in €)

Source: Statista (2019)

Accommodation In Germany Tips & Tricks

When searching for accommodation in Germany on your own, you need a strategy. Here is what you need to do.

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Before Arrival

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Prepare yourself mentally & start in good time

Costs for Accommodation will be the largest item on your monthly budget and you have to accept this fact.

The majority of students in Germany start studying in September (October) or February (March). Do not end up being one of 15.000 new international students in the city searching for a flat, start the search early enough. Recommended time: 90 days prior to arrival.

You will have trouble finding affordable housing but using the tips listed below, your chances will drastically increase.

Learn to compromise

• Aim for long-term and unfurnished flats

Unfurnished means no bed sheets or cutlery, no curtains or kitchen equipment. The majority of German unfurnished flats don’t have anything but the empty walls and the floor, not even a kitchen.

If you consider staying in Germany for a long period of time, consider buying a kitchen, it will definitely pay off. You should not disregard unfurnished flats, because you might miss out on some good opportunities, considering unfurnished flats are prevailing on the market.

Furnished and short-term lets are available but are on average less popular. 

• Consider options farther away from your university

Due to a reliable transportation system in the cities, it is recommended that you do not limit your search to one particular area, as you might miss out on a great opportunity.

Rents on the outskirts are often much cheaper and it does not take you longer than 25-40 min to commute to your study destination.

Compromise!!! Location OR apartment size: Choose ONE!

Learn the vocabulary and be considerate

Hausmeister	Janitorial service
Kaltmiete	Rent excluding utility costs
Kaution	Deposit
Mietvertrag	Rented flat
Möblierte Wohnungen	Furnished flats
Nebenkosten	Additional costs
Provision	Commission
Warmmiete	Rent including utility costs
Wohngemeinschaften (WG)	House and flat shares
Zimmer	Room
Zwischenmiete	Short-term lets

Accommodation options do not stay available online for long.

1. Be fast: inquire, reply and confirm the appointments in a timely manner

2. Be persistent: ring straight away when you see a new ad if the telephone number is available. When you are writing an email request, make sure to provide your contact details, quick but not long background information and politely ask for a viewing appointment

3. Be polite: imagine yourself in the position of a landlord

 Would you rent out this room/flat to yourself?

Opt for a WG-Zimmer or use the last resort

If you experience trouble finding a flat as a newcomer, a room in a shared flat is an option for you. You can make friends quickly and to save money on the rent.

a.     In a WG-Zimmer option, each person in the flat has their own bedroom. The kitchen, guest room, and bathroom are shared

b.     The bills for electricity, internet, phone, and other utilities are split equally between all members of the WG

In Germany, the WG option is popular not only with the students but as well with trainees and working professionals.

If you are about to give up, get advice from a real-estate agent.

Attention: commission or service fee may apply.

!Buyer beware! Read advertisements carefully 

Due to the scarcity of affordable value-price accommodation options, many frauds thrive in the forums.

Contact your university to help you confirm the option you have found is realistic and trustworthy. Check, check and one more time check with German speakers (friends, relatives, or on forums) if your agreement with the landlord is legitimate. If required, ask advice from the lawyer.

Common Frauds:

• Landlord

  • Make sure to check abbreviations, contact details of a landlord, if you can find this person on social media, it is a safe bet

  • To be able to register your address in the immigration office, you must provide two documents:

    • A contract for the flat/room

    • A written permission from the flat owner for you to rent a flat/room

If the landlord is not able to give you this document, it means this person is trying to sublet apartment illegally or without permission from a landlord, stay far away from this option.

• Payment

  • Never pay a deposit or rent in advance before you have a counter-signed contract

  • Never pay anything in cash unless you receive an official receipt

    • In Germany, the majority of deposits and monthly rental payments are done via banking transactions

  • If any landlord tries to get you to pay a finder fee or commission fee, or they incorporate such a fee into your monthly rent, this is against the law and you should avoid such offers

Buy flights and book short-term accommodation

Pay attention to your visa dates and accommodation booking dates. If you have not found a flat prior to arrival, it is not a problem. The majority of contracts are signed in person after you have arrived in Germany.

Make sure to:

1. Book short-term accommodation for 1-2 weeks from the arrival date

2. Schedule as many appointments as possible within this period of time to meet landlords in person

Mind the public holidays, fairs and conferences (i.e. Oktoberfest, ISPO, BAUMA, etc.) with no available hotel rooms in town.

Maybe it makes sense to postpone your arrival?     

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After Arrival

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Prepare for a flat visit

In Germany, when a landlord is deciding upon a new tenant, the first impression plays a big role. That’s why you can consider a flat visit as serious as a job interview: put on relevant attire by general norms and come on time.

It is very difficult to find a flat. But it is as difficult for a landlord to kick out the tenant from the flat, for that reason be prepared to go through a lot of bureaucracy to secure yourself a good place. Landlords in Germany are risk-averse, so make them feel secure while giving you the room/flat.

How can you confirm your reliability to a future landlord? With as many documents as possible.

You are not obliged to submit the documents listed below; it is only up to you. No one has a right to demand these documents from you, but to increase your chances, try to collect at least 75% of these items, print them out and take them with you to the flat viewing in a nicely organized folder.

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✔ Employment contract

✔ CV (Curriculum Vitae)

✔ 3 Last salary statements (payslips)

✔ Bank account balance statement

✔ Blocked Bank account confirmation

(Still unsure which blocked account option to choose? Choose Coracle! (The best option for international students in 2020-2024))

✔ SCHUFA check (credit score)

You can order it after you have arrived in Germany with a fee of 30 Euro.

You are also entitled to a more basic SCHUFA report for free

✔ References from your previous landlord

✔ Enrollment Certificate

✔ Matriculation

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Practice, practice, practice - during the visits, use your charm and negotiations to the fullest and make sure to bring all possible documents with you, which would guarantee a stable income of you and your parents (if applicable).

Do not get demotivated if you have been searching for a long period of time in vain or if you are one of the thirty visitors and you haven’t secured a place. It will take time.

Accommodation In Germany Useful Links

Top Author Choice:  

• WG-Gesucht

• ImmobilienScout

• Mr. Lodge

• Dorms:

  • List of student residences may be found here

  • Up-to-date list with all dorms may be found here 

If you want to study at a German higher education institution, in the majority of the cases you will have to arrange your own accommodation. Exceptions apply. Contact me to find out more.

• Long-Term Lets

  • Immowelt

  • Zwischenmiete

  • Studenten-WG

  • Wohnungsbörse

  • Null Provision

•  Short-Term Lets

  • Airbnb

  • Booking.com

  • Hostelworld.com

  • Jugendherberge

• Other

  • Facebook Groups

    • Accommodation in ‘put the city name here’

    • International Friends of ‘put the city name here’ – Accommodation

    • International Friends of ‘put the city name here’

    • ‘Put nationality here’ in Germany

  • Expat Forums

    • ToyTown Germany

    • Internations

    • Expat In The City 

Accommodation In Germany Extra Useful Information  

• You will find information about Nebenkosten (additional expenses and utilities) in a room/flat ad and/or in a contract:

  • Mostly it includes heating, water, gas

  • Some apartments include Internet, phone and other expenses – make sure to consult the landlord)

• In Germany, Radio tax (Rundfunk) is mandatory to pay

  • You will receive a letter after the registration at the local authorities. Do not disregard it and organize payments in a timely manner

  • Only one person per household must pay the tax

• The majority of contracts are for the duration of 6 to 12 months

  • The cancellation notice period is generally 2 to 3 months before the contract ends

  • The rental period in 95% of the cases starts from the 1st day of the month

• Students are required to pay a security deposit (equal to 1-3 rents) to secure the place

  • Security deposit is returned within 2-3 months (max. 6 months) after the student leaves the apartment

  • Deposit is returned in full unless contract rules were violated, or damages were made

• In Germany, you may be asked to lower down music in the certain hours and your neighbors have a right to do so (between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and all-day Sunday)

• Germans separate garbage. You will find different options: plastic, paper, and organic

• Many apartment blocks or houses have a washing machine, shareable with other flat owners. It costs 1-2 Euro to use it once

• Pets are generally welcome, but you are required to ask for permission in written form

• Bicycles, baby strollers & cars have a designated parking area

• Cellar space or a garage may be included in your contract, make sure to double check it with your landlord

• If you want to do modifications in the flat or to do an outside activity that might inconvenience the neighbors, make sure to first double-check with your landlord and ask permission from the neighbors

• You are not allowed to sublet a flat or room without permission from your landlord

Best of luck with your search!

Study Abroad - Useful Tips

How to study abroad? International Students guide to finding Accommodation? Can I study without a Blocked Account? Answers to these and many other questions you will find here.

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