To find a shared flat, start early, stay active on several portals at once and write your application yourself. A room in a shared flat (WG) costs an average of €510 a month across Germany, €850 in Munich and €650 in Berlin. Before your first enquiry, set your budget and decide which flatmates would suit you.
The key points in brief
- Search on shared flat portals, in local groups and through your network at the same time. The more channels you use, the more replies you get.
- A good application names you, your studies, your daily routine and a link to the advert.
- At the viewing, you also assess the flatmates, not only they you. Clarify costs, the cleaning rota and house rules.
- The tenancy agreement determines your rights: read it before you sign and check whether you are a main tenant or a subtenant.
Where can you look for a room?
The best way to find a room in a shared flat is to use several channels at once. Shared flat portals list offers and room wanted ads by city and price. Classified ads and large property portals also list shared rooms. Local groups on social networks and university notice boards sometimes advertise rooms that you will not find online.
| Channel | What it is good for | What to look out for |
|---|---|---|
| Shared flat portals | Targeted search by city, price and rental period | Adverts with photos, address and clear cost details |
| Classified ads and property portals | Additional offers, often very local | Reliability of the provider, no payment before viewing |
| Local groups on social networks | Direct offers from people already living in the flat | Group rules, quick replies |
| Notice boards and networks | Rooms via the university, fellow students and acquaintances | Ask early and pass on your contact details |
Never pay money before you have seen the room and the contract. If a provider asks for a deposit or a reservation fee in advance, without you having seen the room, be cautious.
How much budget do you need for a shared flat?
Besides the rent, budget for utilities, internet, the broadcasting fee and a deposit. The BAföG housing allowance is €380 a month. In 76 of the 90 university towns surveyed, the average rent for a room in a shared flat is higher than that. At a rent of €510, the gap is €130 a month.
The broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) is €18.36 per month per flat, and you split it within the shared flat. A flatmate who is exempt from the fee under BAföG does not reduce the share of the others. For start-up costs such as the rental deposit, the study start grant (Studienstarthilfe, in German) of €1,000 may be available under strict conditions. It is aimed at students under 25 who are enrolled full-time for the first time and whose household received social benefits in the previous month. Students generally do not receive housing benefit (Wohngeld). Exceptions and the housing benefit application (in German) are explained in a separate guide.
How do you write a shared flat application?
A shared flat application does not have to be long, but it needs personality. The flatmates read many messages and notice straight away whether you have read the advert. Refer to one sentence from the advert and say what appeals to you about the flat.
- Introduce yourself in three to four sentences: name, age, field of study, semester.
- Describe your daily routine: when are you at university, when are you at home, how do you cook?
- State your move-in date, the length of your stay and what you expect in terms of tidiness and noise.
- Attach a photo if the advert asks for one, and reply quickly.
An example opening line: “Hi everyone, I’m Jan, 23, and I start my master’s in history in October. You write that you like cooking together. I like that, because I spend a lot of time in the kitchen myself.”
What happens at a shared flat viewing?
At a viewing, you get to know each other. Usually one of the flatmates shows you the flat, talks about daily life and asks questions about you. Use the time to ask your own questions. This shows you whether your routines and expectations fit together.
- How is daily life organised: cleaning rota, shopping, shared evenings?
- How high are the rent, utilities, internet and deposit exactly, and who pays whom?
- How long have the others lived there, and why is the room becoming free?
- What rules apply to guests, noise, smoking and pets?
During the tour, look at the condition of the rooms, the kitchen and the bathroom, and at the atmosphere. Sleep on your impressions for a night before you accept.
Main tenant or subtenant: what does it mean for you?
As a main tenant, you have the tenancy agreement directly with the landlord. As a subtenant, you rent from a main tenant who is the tenant of the flat. Before you accept, ask how the agreement is structured, who manages the deposit and whether the landlord has approved the subletting. Without the landlord’s permission, subletting can cause problems. Get everything in writing.
Our guide to tenancy agreements for students (in German) explains what to check regarding term, notice periods and utilities.
How do you find flatmates who suit you?
Finding flatmates who suit you starts with knowing your own priorities. Decide in advance how much quiet you need, how tidy you live and whether smoking or pets are acceptable to you. Someone who enjoys cooking together will be happier in a different flat than someone who wants to study alone in the evenings. Our comparison of housing options for students (in German) helps you decide whether a shared flat is right for you at all.
Example: monthly costs in a shared flat
Example: Jan, 23, moves into a shared flat with three other people. He pays €510 for his room and uses the Germany semester ticket for €37.80 a month. The broadcasting fee of €18.36 is split between the four residents: €18.36 divided by 4 is €4.59 per person.
| Item | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| Room rent | €510.00 |
| Broadcasting fee (share) | €4.59 |
| Semester ticket | €37.80 |
| Total | €552.39 |
Utilities, internet and electricity are added depending on the tenancy agreement. The total shows the minimum you should plan for.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find a room in a shared flat?
Use shared flat portals, classified ads, local groups on social networks and university notice boards. Talk to fellow students and acquaintances as well. The more channels you use at the same time, the more viewings you will get.
How do I write a shared flat application?
Refer to the advert, introduce yourself briefly and describe your daily routine. State your move-in date and the length of your stay. Friendly, specific and personal messages stand out from standard replies, because the flatmates can see that you have engaged with their advert.
What happens at the shared flat viewing?
The flatmates show you the flat and get to know you. You talk about daily life, house rules and costs. Ask questions about rent, deposit, cleaning rota and guests yourself. After the viewing, the flatmates decide whom they accept.
What is the difference between a main tenant and a subtenant?
The main tenant has the tenancy agreement with the landlord. The subtenant rents from the main tenant. Before you move in, ask who the contractual partner is, who manages the deposit and whether the landlord has agreed. Keep everything in writing.
Your next steps
- Set your budget, your preferred districts and your priorities for living together.
- Sign up to two or three portals and join local groups.
- Write a separate message for each advert and reply quickly.
- Prepare for the viewing and ask your questions about costs and rules.
- If you move in, our moving checklist (in German) helps. After that, take a look at the benefits for students (in German).
Related reading
- Student dormitory or shared flat: which suits you better? (in German)
- Finding an affordable flat as a student: strategy, portals and costs (in German)
- Starter equipment for students: what you really need (in German)
- Understanding your tenancy agreement: what students should check (in German)
- Liability insurance in a shared flat and your own flat (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
