GermanySimple Moving to and living in Germany

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Find an apartment

Selected criteria

  1. I recently arrived in Germany
  2. Find housing and settle in
  3. Find an apartment

Finding an apartment in Germany is easier to organise as a clear project than as endless browsing through listings. First define your affordable budget, move-in date, and essential housing requirements. Then prepare a short profile and documents, set alerts on several platforms, and reply quickly to suitable options. At the same time, consider a room in a WG, a residence hall, or temporary housing if you need to look for a permanent apartment after arriving. At viewings, check the condition of the property, payment terms, and whether address registration is possible. Before signing, read the contract and house rules carefully, and record the apartment's condition when collecting the keys. For questions about WBS, the contract, service charges, and tenant rights, check current conditions for your city and specific contract.

Plan overview

A route from preparing your search and choosing a housing format to viewing, signing the contract, and handover.

What to do step by step

  1. 1

    Define your search criteria

    Calculate your affordable budget, choose areas, and separate essential conditions from preferences.

    Articles for this step

    How to Find Housing in Germany: Websites, Documents, and WBS Renting in Germany: How Much Does an Apartment Cost and How to Look for One in 2026
  2. 2

    Prepare your response and documents

    Put together a clear document package and write a short message you can adapt to each listing.

    Articles for this step

    How to Find Housing in Germany: Documents, Shared Apartments (WG), and the Mietvertrag Motivationsschreiben for renting an apartment in Germany: how to write a Mietbewerbung
  3. 3
  4. 4

    Choose a suitable housing format

    Compare a separate apartment, a room in a WG, a residence hall, and temporary housing as parallel options.

    Articles for this step

    WG in Germany: Pros, Cons, and How to Choose a Shared Flat Student Housing in Germany: How to Find a Wohnheim and How It Differs from a WG
  5. 5

    Check an option before deciding

    At the viewing, assess the apartment, neighbourhood, payment terms, and contact with the landlord; do not rush to transfer money.

    Articles for this step

    How to Find an Apartment in Germany: Websites, Documents, Viewings, and Protection Against Scammers How to Find Housing in Germany in 2025: Platforms, Documents, and Protection from Scams
  6. 6

    Read the contract and house rules

    Before signing, check payments, term, attachments, and Hausordnung; seek advice if wording is unclear.

    Articles for this step

    What to Check in a German Rental Agreement: Kaution, Nebenkosten, Kündigung and Tenant Rights House Rules in Germany: House Rules for Tenants Real Estate Agent in Germany: Who Pays the Commission for Renting and Buying
  7. 7

    Record the apartment handover

    On the day you collect the keys, record the property's condition and meter readings in the handover report, take photos, and keep the documents.

    Articles for this step

    Moving into an Apartment in Germany: Checklist for the Mietvertrag and Übergabeprotokoll

Important notes

  • Before choosing housing, clarify whether you can obtain confirmation for address registration.
  • A WBS broadens your search, but does not replace applying for suitable options.
  • Do not send sensitive documents without checking the recipient.
  • Check the contract, address, and landlord's identity before paying.
  • It is best to document the apartment's condition in writing when the keys are handed over.

Common mistakes

  • Searching on only one platform
  • Sending identical responses
  • Paying before checking
  • Not reading the house rules
  • Choosing a WG based only on price