Moving To Germany Series : 6/15 Finding Accommodation in Germany (2025): How to Succeed in a Competitive Housing Market

EuroXpat
Apr 27
3 min read

Finding a place to live in Germany is often one of the biggest challenges for newcomers — even locals struggle in some cities!

The market is competitive, paperwork is essential, and knowing how things work can save you weeks of frustration.

Here’s a complete guide to finding housing in Germany in 2025, the platforms you should use, documents you need, and the small but important details that make a big difference.

📈 Why Is the German Housing Market So Competitive?

In major cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt, demand far exceeds supply.
Average rent prices have risen around 3–5% annually in urban areas since 2020.
Landlords often receive dozens (or hundreds) of applications for a single apartment.
Long-term tenants are protected by strong tenant rights (Mieterschutz), so landlords are selective upfront.

Good news: Smaller cities (like Leipzig, Nürnberg, Bremen) offer easier and cheaper rental options!

🌐 Where to Search for Apartments

These platforms are the key tools most renters use in Germany:

Platform	Type	Description
ImmobilienScout24	Mainstream	Germany’s largest real estate portal. Paid premium account = early access to listings.
ImmoWelt	Mainstream	Another major site for apartments, houses, and shared flats.
WG-Gesucht	Shared Flats	Best for finding shared apartments (WG = Wohngemeinschaft). Great for students or young professionals.
Facebook Groups	Informal	Search "Wohnung gesucht Berlin/München/etc." Often faster but be careful of scams.
eBay Kleinanzeigen	Classifieds	Private listings — sometimes cheaper but also more scams, so be cautious.
HousingAnywhere	Expats	Good for internationals needing short- to medium-term accommodation.

💡 Pro Tip: Set up email alerts on ImmobilienScout24 and WG-Gesucht to get notified the minute a new apartment is listed!

📑 Documents You’ll Need (Application Folder = Mietermappe)

In Germany, you almost always need a full application package to even be considered:

SCHUFA Report (credit history check)
➡️ Get your SCHUFA online.
Proof of Income
➡️ Last 3 pay slips (Gehaltsabrechnungen) or employment contract.
Copy of Passport or Residence Permit
➡️ For identity verification.
Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung (Certificate that you have no outstanding rent debts)
➡️ Ask your previous landlord.
Personal Cover Letter
➡️ A short, polite letter introducing yourself, your job, why you are a reliable tenant.

Extra Tip:

Organize your documents neatly into one PDF file. Title it with your full name + "Wohnungsbewerbung" (e.g., John_Smith_Wohnungsbewerbung.pdf).

📝 Understanding Rental Contracts

German rental contracts are detailed and protect both tenants and landlords. Here’s what you must know:

Kaltmiete (Cold Rent):
Base rent amount — excludes utilities and heating.
Warmmiete (Warm Rent):
Includes Kaltmiete + additional costs (Nebenkosten) like water, heating, garbage collection, property maintenance.
Nebenkosten (Utilities/Service Charges):
Pay attention! Heating may or may not be included. Electricity and internet are usually not included and must be set up separately.
Deposit (Kaution):
Up to three months’ Kaltmiete (excluding Nebenkosten), refundable when you move out if there are no damages.

💬 German Rental Law is Tenant-Friendly:

Landlords can only terminate under very specific conditions — but you must maintain the apartment properly to get your deposit back!

⏰ How to Improve Your Chances

Competition is fierce — here’s how to stand out:

Be fast: Contact immediately when new listings appear.
Be professional: Dress well for viewings, be polite, and bring all your documents ready.
Be flexible: Some landlords prefer tenants who can move in quickly.
Offer small incentives: Offering to pay three months’ rent upfront (without being asked) sometimes makes you more attractive (especially if you have no SCHUFA yet).
Write a warm, short personal intro: Germans value stability, so highlight stable job, long-term plans, good rental history.

🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Not checking Kaltmiete vs Warmmiete — Warmmiete is your real monthly cost.
❌ Signing contracts without fully reading — use translation apps if needed.
❌ Paying deposits before signing — NEVER pay before a signed rental contract.
❌ Ignoring scams — If a deal seems “too good to be true,” it probably is.
(Example red flag: landlord claims to be abroad and asks you to pay first.)