Student Accommodation in Germany

Student accomodation in Germany is one of the most crucial aspects of studying in Germany for international students apart from getting accepted into a university. There are various types of accommodation available in Germany for international students. Students from abroad typically spend about EUR 298 per month for accommodation in Germany, excluding their daily expenses.

Students will require a residence permit to stay in Germany for more than 90 days or 3 months. Students will also have to prove funds to the visa officer that they have enough finances to sustain themselves for one year. The required funds amount to EUR 853 per month or EUR 10,236 per annum. Once issued, the residence permit is valid for two years. The residence permit will have to be renewed once the two year period is up if the course opted for by the student is for more than two years.

Table of Contents

• Cost of Student Accomodation in Germany
• Types of Student Accommodation in Germany
  
  • Student Halls of Residence
  • Private Accommodation
  • Flatshare or “Wohngemeinschaft”
• How to Find Accomodation in Germany as a Student?
  
  • Studutenwerk and the Student Council
• Conclusion

Cost of Student Accomodation in Germany

According to the German Academic Exchange Service, DAAD, students spend about EUR 900 every month in Germany. International students roughly spend around EUR 298 a month on accommodation, excluding day to day expenses. Cheaper accommodations amount to approximately EUR 218 per month for students in Germany.

Students can also rent apartments; however, these can be expensive and can vary depending on the location of the residence. On average, students will have to shell out EUR 400 a month to live in apartments. In metropolitan cities, the cost of living in a private apartment will be even higher. In terms of student accommodation in Berlin, the cost of living in an apartment can be as high as EUR 800 a month.

Types of Student Accommodation in Germany

Depending on how much a student is willing to spend, there are many options for student accommodation in Germany. Germany is home to many student halls of residence located close by to the university. Students can also opt for private accommodation if they so choose. The third option available to international students (which also accounts for 30% of accomodation for international students) is flatshare or “Wohngemeinschaft '' as the Germans call it. The types of student accommodation in Germany are listed below:

• Student Halls of Residence
• Private Accommodation
• Flatshare or “Wohngemeinschaft”

Student Halls of Residence

The student halls of residence are a popular option for international students in Germany. They are a low-cost investment and have the convenience of being located very close to the university (universities). Student halls of residence provide students with great scope for socialization.

These residence halls are run by a student body or a self-administering committee that regulates and oversees certain rules of order and acts as a link between the student union and the student residents.

The types of student halls can also vary depending on what the city’s student union is offering. Students can opt for single rooms, shared rooms, single apartments, shared apartments, and apartments for disabled students. Accommodation in student halls of residence is done on a first-come-first-serve basis. Students should make sure that they waste no time applying for the same as soon as they receive their university acceptance letter.

Private Accommodation

For students that can afford it, private accommodation is the way to go. Apart from enjoying their own space and time, students living in private apartments will not have to subject themselves to the rules of student unions. Compared to other places in Germany, private accommodation can be costly in cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Main.

Finding private accommodation is entirely up to the student's discretion if they choose to opt for the same. Students opting for private accommodations will have to search for a place, speak to the owner, and be ready with the deposit amount before flying out to Germany for higher education.

Flatshare or “Wohngemeinschaft”

Perhaps, the most popular option for international students looking for accommodation in Germany is Flatshare or “Wohngemeinschaft”. As many as 30% of all international students in Germany opt for this option. Flatshare involves finding accommodation, finding a flatmate and sharing rent, as well as utilities with them.

Common spaces will include the kitchen, the living area, bathroom and balcony. This option gives a student all the benefits of a low-cost accommodation while ensuring a relatively good amount of privacy. Like private accommodation, students have to make all their arrangements before moving. It also helps for students who will also have to make sure to contact their potential flatmates in advance.

The cost of the various types of student accommodation in Germany are detailed in the table below:

How to Find Accomodation in Germany as a Student?

There are instances where students arrive in Germany without making prior arrangements for accommodation. Even then, such students need not panic as they can seek the help of student-run organizations and government bodies to help them find a place to stay.

Studutenwerk and the Student Council

Studutenwerk is a not-for-profit, state-run organization for students or organized locally across many cities and townships in Germany. They act as a database of free accommodation, and students can seek their help in finding a place of residence. Studutenwerk and the student council of many universities offer students temporary housing during their initial stay in Germany.

Students can also look at the German Youth Hostel Association, an association of 536 youth hostels in Germany. The per-night accommodation charges amount to between EUR 12 to EUR 37, and students will have to pay a membership fee of EUR 7.

Conclusion

To sum it up, studying in Germany is not an expensive nor a complicated affair. Students need to do their due diligence when choosing the most suitable type of accommodation for them. Germany has some of the best amenities for students globally, apart from being a centre for high-quality education, academic research and design.