Finding a room in Germany (WG, dorm, or studio)

The three realistic options

• —Student dorm (Studentenwerk): cheapest (often €250–€450 warm), waitlists months long — apply the day you're admitted.
• —WG (shared flat): the classic student setup, €350–€1,000 depending on city. Found on WG-Gesucht — expect to write dozens of short personal messages.
• —Studio/1-Zimmer: most expensive and paperwork-heavy (landlords often want proof of income or a guarantor); realistic mostly after your first year.

Understand German rent language

• —Kaltmiete = rent excluding utilities; Warmmiete = including heating/water — always compare warm.
• —Kaution = deposit, up to three months' cold rent, refundable.
• —'Anmeldung möglich' = you can register your address there. For your first room, treat this as mandatory.

The scam filter (read this twice)

Housing scams specifically target international students. The pattern is always the same: a beautiful room, a landlord 'abroad', and a request to wire the deposit before viewing.

• —Never pay before a viewing — in person or a live video call inside the flat.
• —Never pay via gift cards, crypto, or Western Union. Bank transfer to a German IBAN, after a signed contract, is the norm.
• —Reverse-image-search suspiciously perfect photos; refuse 'my agent will hand over keys' stories.
• —If arriving without a room: book a hostel or short sublet for 2–4 weeks and hunt from inside the country — viewings unlock everything.