How to Find an Apartment in Germany as an Expat

Finding an apartment in major German cities is notoriously difficult. Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt have extremely competitive rental markets with dozens of applicants for every listing. But with the right strategy and preparation, you can secure a place — even without speaking German.

This guide covers everything from where to search, what documents to prepare, to how to avoid scams.

Where to Search for Apartments

What are the best websites for apartment hunting?

• ImmobilienScout24 — The #1 platform in Germany. A premium membership (~€30/month) is worth it in competitive markets — it lets you message landlords faster and see who viewed your profile
• WG-Gesucht — Best for shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaft or WG). Popular among younger professionals and a good way to find housing quickly
• Immowelt — Second largest platform, similar to ImmobilienScout24
• eBay Kleinanzeigen (now "Kleinanzeigen") — Classified ads, sometimes hidden gems from private landlords. Be extra cautious about scams
• Facebook Groups — Search for "[City] apartments" or "[City] WG" groups. Very active for short-term and furnished options

Tip: Set up instant email alerts on ImmobilienScout24 for your criteria. New listings in popular areas get 50-100+ applications within hours. Being among the first to respond dramatically increases your chances.

Can I find an apartment without speaking German?

Yes, but it is harder. In Berlin, many landlords and agents speak English. In Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt, English is common in international neighborhoods. In smaller cities, you may need a German-speaking friend or colleague to help with viewings and communication.

Write your initial messages in German (use DeepL or ChatGPT to translate) — this shows respect and significantly increases your response rate.

How long does it take to find an apartment?

In competitive cities:

• Berlin: 4-8 weeks of active searching
• Munich: 6-12 weeks (the most difficult market)
• Hamburg/Frankfurt: 4-8 weeks
• Smaller cities (Leipzig, Dresden): 1-3 weeks

Budget for 1-3 months of temporary housing while searching.

Documents You Need (Bewerbungsmappe)

What is a Bewerbungsmappe?

A Bewerbungsmappe is your "apartment application folder" — a collection of documents that landlords expect from prospective tenants. Having a complete, professional Bewerbungsmappe ready before you start searching gives you a significant advantage.

What documents should I prepare?

1. SCHUFA Bonitätsauskunft — Your German credit report (~€30 from meineschufa.de). This is the most important document. Landlords use it to verify you have no payment defaults
2. Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung — Letter from your previous landlord confirming you have no rental debt. If you are new to Germany, a letter from your previous landlord abroad (even in English) can substitute
3. Einkommensnachweis — Proof of income: last 3 payslips, or your employment contract showing your salary. As a rule of thumb, landlords want your net income to be at least 3x the warm rent
4. Copy of ID/passport — A clear copy of your passport or EU identity card
5. Selbstauskunft — Self-disclosure form with personal information (name, employer, income, number of people moving in, pets). Most landlords provide their own form
6. Cover letter — A brief personal introduction: who you are, what you do, why you want this apartment, and that you are a reliable tenant

What if I do not have a SCHUFA yet?

If you are new to Germany and do not have a SCHUFA report, you can:

• Provide a credit report from your home country
• Ask your employer to write a letter confirming your employment and salary
• Offer to pay several months of rent in advance (some landlords accept this)

You can request your SCHUFA at meineschufa.de. The free version (Datenkopie) works, but the paid version (BonitätsAuskunft, ~€30) is more professional and specifically designed for landlords.

Understanding German Rent Terminology

What is the difference between Kaltmiete and Warmmiete?

• Kaltmiete (cold rent) — Base rent without any utilities
• Warmmiete (warm rent) — Rent including Nebenkosten (heating, water, garbage, building maintenance). This is what you actually pay monthly
• Nebenkosten (additional costs) — Utility costs included in Warmmiete. Usually €2-3 per m². Does not include electricity and internet — those are separate

Important: When comparing apartments, always compare Warmmiete. A listing showing €800 Kaltmiete with €250 Nebenkosten costs the same as one showing €1,050 Warmmiete.

Other important terms

• Kaution — Security deposit. Maximum 3x Kaltmiete, payable in up to 3 monthly installments. Your landlord must keep it in a separate interest-bearing account
• Provision/Maklergebühr — Broker fee. Since 2015, the landlord pays for rental apartments (Bestellerprinzip). You should never pay a broker fee for a rental
• Ablöse — Payment for furniture or fixtures left by the previous tenant. You are not obligated to accept. Negotiate the price — items are often overpriced
• Staffelmiete — A rent increase schedule written into the contract (e.g., rent increases by €25/year). Legal, but check the amounts
• Indexmiete — Rent tied to the consumer price index. Less common but legal

Budget Guidelines by City (2026, Warm Rent)

City	1-bedroom (center)	1-bedroom (outside center)
Munich	€1,200-1,600	€900-1,200
Frankfurt	€1,000-1,400	€750-1,000
Hamburg	€900-1,300	€700-950
Berlin	€900-1,300	€650-900
Cologne	€800-1,100	€600-850
Stuttgart	€900-1,200	€700-950
Leipzig	€500-750	€400-600

For a detailed breakdown of all living costs, see our cost of living guide.

Avoiding Scams

What are the red flags?

• Never send money before seeing the apartment in person or via video call
• Listings that seem too good to be true (beautiful apartment, suspiciously low price)
• Landlord claims to be "abroad" and cannot show the apartment
• Requests for deposit or advance payment before signing the contract
• Communication only via email with poor grammar (phishing attempts)
• Stolen photos — do a reverse image search on Google to check
• Requests to wire money via Western Union or similar services

Rule of thumb: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A beautiful 2-bedroom apartment in central Berlin for €600/month warm does not exist.

What about fake ImmobilienScout24 listings?

Even on legitimate platforms, scams exist. Protect yourself:

• Only communicate through the platform's messaging system initially
• Verify the landlord's identity at the viewing
• Never sign a contract or pay money before physically visiting the apartment
• Ask to see the landlord's ID or property ownership documents at the viewing

Apartment Viewing Tips

How to prepare for a viewing (Besichtigung)?

1. Arrive 5 minutes early and dress neatly — first impressions matter in Germany
2. Bring your complete Bewerbungsmappe — hand it over at the end of the viewing. Having documents ready signals you are a serious, organized tenant
3. Ask relevant questions: Nebenkosten details, heating system (gas vs. district heating), cellar/storage space, internet availability, move-in date, and contract duration
4. Be friendly but professional — Germans value reliability over charm
5. Follow up with a thank-you email within 24 hours, reattaching your documents as PDF

What should I check during the viewing?

• Water pressure (turn on taps)
• Window insulation (important for heating costs)
• Mobile reception in each room
• Condition of kitchen and bathroom
• Noise levels (street noise, neighbors)
• Storage space (cellar, attic)
• Laundry facilities (washing machine connection or shared laundry room)

Temporary Housing While Searching

If you are moving to Germany and need a place while apartment hunting:

• Wunderflats — Furnished apartments for 1-24 months. Prices are higher but include everything
• HousingAnywhere — Short to mid-term furnished rentals, popular with expats
• Airbnb — Good for the first 1-2 months. Negotiate monthly discounts
• Hostels — Budget option for the first week while you get oriented
• Corporate housing — Ask your employer if they offer temporary accommodation

Budget tip: Expect to spend €1,000-2,500/month on temporary housing in major cities. Factor this into your relocation budget. Some employers offer relocation assistance that can cover this.

After You Find an Apartment

Signing the contract

Read the rental contract (Mietvertrag) carefully. If it is in German (which it usually is), ask a German-speaking friend or use a translation tool. Key things to check:

• Rent amount (Kaltmiete and Nebenkosten)
• Contract duration (most are indefinite, which is good for tenants)
• Notice period (usually 3 months)
• House rules (Hausordnung) — especially regarding quiet hours (22:00-06:00)

Registering your address (Anmeldung)

Within 14 days of moving in, you must register your address at the Bürgeramt. You need a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation) form from your landlord. This registration is essential — without it, you cannot open a bank account, get health insurance, or apply for a Blue Card.

Related Resources

• Cost of Living in Germany — Detailed budget breakdown by city
• Salary Calculator — Calculate your net income to plan your housing budget
• Health Insurance Guide — Set up insurance before moving
• Blue Card Guide — Visa requirements and Anmeldung
• Start your Germany journey by finding your next role at English-Jobs.com