Housing guide
If you're searching for your first home in Germany, you already know the feeling: watching good listings disappear within hours, wondering if your Schufa or your German is good enough, and hoping the next viewing isn't another scam. You're not doing anything wrong — the system is just genuinely harder to enter as a newcomer. This guide walks you through where people actually search, what to prepare, and the mistakes worth avoiding, so you can go into it steady instead of guessing.
Where to start
Most newcomers go through the same three phases — knowing what to expect at each one helps you plan.
Many newcomers start with furnished, short-term housing (Wunderflats, hostels, short-term sublets) while they search for something longer-term — it takes the time pressure off finding the "perfect" apartment immediately.
Once you have a base, you can search properly: browsing the platforms below, preparing your documents, and responding quickly to listings.
Once you sign a Mietvertrag, registering your new address (Anmeldung) is usually one of your first official steps — see our free tool at the bottom of this page.
Anmeldung needs a fixed address and your landlord's signature — but many landlords want to see a Schufa report first, and newcomers often don't have one yet. In practice, people work around this a few ways: some landlords accept new arrivals without a German Schufa if other documents (employer contract, proof of savings) are strong enough; a guarantor (Bürgschaft) can cover the gap; and temporary housing (see step 1) buys time to build a short credit history before you need to sign a longer lease. There is no single fix that works everywhere — it depends on the landlord and the city.
Where to search
There is no single official housing portal in Germany — most people use a mix of the sites below, and it is common to check several of them at once. None of them are affiliated with GermanyFlow; this is a plain overview, not a ranking.
The largest general real-estate portal. Mostly unfurnished long-term apartments, wide coverage of cities, but also the most competition for popular listings.
The main site for Wohngemeinschaften (shared flats) and single furnished rooms. Popular with students and people looking for something faster or more affordable than a full apartment.
A second large general portal, similar in scope to ImmoScout24 — worth checking alongside it since listings are not always duplicated.
A general classifieds site, not housing-specific. Listings are posted directly by private landlords or subletters, which means lower fees but also less moderation — read the note on scams below before using it.
Focused on furnished, temporary housing — often used to cover the first weeks or months while you search for a longer-term unfurnished apartment.
What to budget
Rough Kaltmiete (base rent) ranges for a 1-room apartment in six major cities.
Orientation ranges based on general market observations, as of July 2026 — actual prices depend on the neighborhood and condition of the apartment, and change over time. Always check current listings.
Prepare in advance
Requirements vary by landlord and city, but having these ready before you start viewing apartments makes a real difference in a competitive market.
A credit report confirming your payment history. Most landlords specifically want the short "Bonitätsauskunft für Vermieter" (landlord-facing) version, not your full personal Schufa file — you can request it directly from Schufa online.
Usually your last three payslips (Gehaltsabrechnungen), an employer confirmation, or bank statements if you are self-employed. This shows the landlord you can afford the rent.
A self-disclosure questionnaire about your personal and financial situation, filled out by you. Answer it honestly — inaccurate answers here can later be used as grounds to end the contract.
A simple identification copy is standard — keep a digital scan ready so you can send it quickly after a viewing.
If you do not yet have German income history or a Schufa record, some landlords ask for a guarantor — a person or service that guarantees the rent if you cannot pay. Not always required, but useful to have ready as newcomers are asked for it more often.
Ready to reach out
A short, neutral starting point — send it in German, adjust it to sound like you.
Send this in German
Guten Tag, mein Name ist [Ihr Name]. Ich interessiere mich für Ihre Wohnungsanzeige und würde sie gerne besichtigen. Meine Unterlagen (Schufa, Einkommensnachweis, Personalausweis) kann ich Ihnen gerne im Voraus zusenden. Über eine Rückmeldung würde ich mich sehr freuen. Mit freundlichen Grüßen, [Ihr Name]
What it means
Hello, my name is [Your Name]. I'm interested in your apartment listing and would love to arrange a viewing. I'm happy to send my documents (Schufa, proof of income, ID) in advance. I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, [Your Name]
Learn from others' mistakes
None of these are unusual or embarrassing to not know — they are simply easy to miss the first time.
Kaltmiete is not the full price. Kaltmiete is the base rent before utilities; Nebenkosten (heating, water, building costs) are added on top to reach the Warmmiete you actually pay each month.
Kaution is a deposit, not a fee. It is commonly up to three months' Kaltmiete, held in a separate account and returned after move-out — it is not an extra charge you lose.
Never pay before viewing the apartment. Do not transfer a deposit, first month's rent, or any "reservation fee" before you have seen the apartment in person (or on a verified video call) and signed a contract — this is a common scam pattern targeting newcomers.
Read the Mietvertrag before signing. Check the notice period, any rent-increase clauses (Staffelmiete/Indexmiete), and exactly what is included — a contract you do not fully understand is worth getting translated or reviewed first.
Clarify move-out responsibilities early. Renovation or redecoration duties (Schönheitsreparaturen) at the end of the tenancy are a common source of disputes — check what the contract actually requires, since not every clause is enforceable.
The "one-third rule" is common, not legal. Many landlords expect your net income to be roughly three times the Kaltmiete — it's a typical guideline they use to judge affordability, not a legal requirement, but it explains why proof of income matters so much.
You're not alone in this
Between the competition, the paperwork, and listings you have to translate in your head, it's easy to feel like you're doing something wrong. You're not. Most newcomers go through exactly this — and most of them find a place. This guide won't make the market less competitive, but it can make you a little more prepared for it.
Common questions
Already have a place lined up?
Once you move in, registering your address (Anmeldung) is usually one of the next steps. Our free tool helps you prepare the form in your language before your appointment.
This page is general information, not legal or real-estate advice. GermanyFlow is not a real-estate agent and does not negotiate with landlords or platforms on your behalf — always verify current requirements directly with the landlord, platform, or a qualified advisor.
Who's behind this
GermanyFlow is built and maintained by an independent developer with first-hand experience navigating German bureaucracy — Anmeldung, residence permits, Kindergeld, and more. Content is checked against official sources and updated when rules or prices change; see our Editorial Policy for details. Spotted something outdated? Let us know.