I'm not going to sugarcoat this: finding an apartment in Germany as a foreigner is one of the hardest parts of moving here. Not because Germans are unfriendly — they're mostly not — but because demand in most German cities far outstrips supply, and landlords have the luxury of being very selective.
That said, people do find apartments every day. Here's what actually works.
Understand the market before you start
Germany has some of the lowest homeownership rates in Europe — most people rent, which means the rental market is massive but also very competitive, especially in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Cologne.
In Munich, it's not unusual for a single apartment listing to receive 100+ applications within 48 hours. In Berlin it's a bit better, but not by much in the popular areas. Smaller cities like Leipzig, Dresden, Nuremberg, or Düsseldorf are significantly more manageable.
Two terms you'll need to understand:
Kaltmiete is the base rent — what the landlord charges for the space itself. Warmmiete includes utilities like heating, water, and building maintenance costs. Always clarify which one you're seeing in a listing, because the difference can be €150–300 per month.
Where to search
ImmobilienScout24 (immobilienscout24.de) is the biggest platform in Germany. Most serious listings end up here. Set up alerts for your search criteria — the good ones go within hours.
WG-Gesucht (wg-gesucht.de) is the go-to for shared apartments (WGs). If you're new to Germany and want to save money while meeting people, a WG is a great option. A room in a shared flat is significantly cheaper than renting alone.
Immowelt is another large platform similar to ImmobilienScout24. Worth checking alongside it.
For temporary accommodation while you search — and you should absolutely search in person, not remotely — look at furnished short-term rentals on Wunderflats or Homelike. These are expensive but flexible, and having a local address makes your apartment search infinitely easier.
What landlords want to see
This is where many expats get tripped up. German landlords are famously cautious and will typically ask for a full application package including:
- Schufa report — Germany's credit check. As a newcomer you won't have one, which is a real problem. Explain this politely and offer alternatives like a bank statement from your home country.
- Proof of income — 3 months of payslips, or a job offer letter if you're just starting
- Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung — a letter from your previous landlord confirming you have no outstanding rent debts
- Passport copy and visa/residence permit
- A cover letter — yes, seriously. Many German landlords expect a short personal letter explaining who you are and why you want the apartment
Prepare all of this in advance as a PDF document so you can send it within minutes of a viewing.
The Kaution (security deposit)
German law caps the security deposit at 3 months' Kaltmiete. So if your rent is €1,200 cold, you'll pay up to €3,600 deposit on top of your first month's rent. Make sure you have this ready in cash — you'll typically need to transfer it before getting the keys.
The deposit must be returned (with interest) when you move out, minus any legitimate deductions. Take photos of every room, every wall, and every appliance on move-in day. I can't stress this enough.
A few things that actually help
Being responsive matters enormously. When a landlord replies to your application, respond within the hour if possible. They're choosing between many applicants, and the person who replies fastest often gets the viewing.
Being upfront about being a foreigner — and showing that you're organized, employed, and serious — helps more than you'd think. Germans appreciate directness and documentation.
If you have a German-speaking colleague, friend, or contact who can help you communicate with landlords, that genuinely increases your chances in the short term.
Need help navigating the paperwork, or want someone to review your application materials? Our Relocation Support service includes exactly this. We've helped people get their first German apartment faster by making sure they show up to every viewing fully prepared.