A student dorm application in Germany usually runs through the student services organisation (Studierendenwerk) of your city, not through your university. Deadlines, waiting lists and one-off costs decide how well you can prepare for a place. This guide explains the steps and shows with examples which costs to expect.
Kurz beantwortet: Each student services organisation sets its own deadlines, procedures and waiting lists, so the current information on its website always applies. A deposit and fees are usually due as well. The OTH Regensburg, for example, charges a one-off accommodation fee of 85 euros that is not refunded (status: October 2026).
Key points at a glance
- Apply through the student services organisation of your city. Some universities have additional routes, for example via the international office.
- Deadlines and waiting lists differ by location. A date from an older text is not binding.
- A place on a waiting list is not a confirmed offer.
- Deposit, accommodation fees and bed linen come on top of rent and utilities.
- Before you move in, check the notice periods, the maximum length of stay and what the rent includes.
How does a dorm application work?
The procedure differs between student services organisations. The following steps describe a typical process. The details are on the website of the organisation responsible for your university.
- Find the student services organisation responsible for your university. The German umbrella organisation (Deutsches Studierendenwerk) lists all of them.
- Read the application notes on the website of your organisation, including deadlines and required documents.
- Submit the application online or on the form provided and send the documents requested, usually the certificate of enrolment (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung).
- Wait for an offer or for a place on the waiting list. A waiting list place is not an offer.
- If you receive an offer, sign the tenancy agreement, pay the deposit and fees, and meet the move-in dates.
Which deadlines apply?
The student services organisation sets deadlines per location and semester. An example shows why you should not rely on old information. The OTH Regensburg states that rooms for winter term 2026/27 are already allocated and that new rooms become available from summer term 2027 (status: October 2026). For that winter term, no application window is open there.
Plan your application with the next semester in mind, and check the dates directly with your student services organisation.
Which costs should you expect?
Rent depends on the location and the room, so we do not give an average here. More important is to budget for the one-off items. The table shows examples from two student services organisations and one university.
| Item | Example | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Amount set in the tenancy agreement (Studierendenwerk Stuttgart) | Not interest-bearing, refunded at the earliest six weeks after the end of the tenancy, lapses after six months if repayment is not possible for reasons the tenant is responsible for |
| Deposit | Depends on the dorm (OTH Regensburg) | Not interest-bearing, refunded eight to ten weeks after the contract ends, if no repair or cleaning work is needed |
| Accommodation fee | 85 euros (OTH Regensburg) | One-off, not refundable |
| Bed linen (optional) | 45 to 80 euros (OTH Regensburg) | Only if you use the service |
| Basic rent | As set in the tenancy agreement (Stuttgart) | Due monthly in advance by the third working day |
| Utilities | Included in the rent in Stuttgart | Heating, water, waste, cleaning and insurance, depending on the contract |
In addition, fees under a separate fee schedule can apply, for example for moving, cleaning or reminders. Read the fee schedule of your student services organisation before you sign. It is often the document that surprises people most.
What does a waiting list mean?
A waiting list means that your application is recorded, but no offer has been made. The website of the student services organisation does not always show how many people are ahead of you or how quickly places become free. Reports from cities with tight housing markets show that waiting times can vary widely.
Keep a plan B ready, such as a shared flat or a flat in the surrounding area. Also keep your contact details up to date so that the organisation can reach you when a place becomes available.
Dorm or shared flat: which costs more?
There is no fixed answer. A dorm can be cheaper than a shared flat, but it does not have to be. What matters is the warm rent, the utilities and the one-off fees. The BAföG housing allowance for students living away from their parents is 380 euros a month (status: August 2024, official figure). It is a support payment, not a cap on your rent.
If you want to compare both options, add up rent, utilities and one-off costs over the first twelve months. The difference becomes clear, and the decision becomes easier.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply during the semester?
The website of your student services organisation shows this. In Regensburg, new rooms are allocated from summer term 2027. Ask your organisation whether places become available during the current semester.
How long can I live in a dorm?
That depends on the organisation. The Stuttgart example sets a maximum stay of 36 months. Whether this applies to you is stated in your tenancy agreement.
When can I give notice?
In the Stuttgart example, there is a six-month period from the start of the tenancy in which notice cannot be given. After that, a notice period of three months applies on fixed dates. If you are de-registered from the university, a separate and shorter period applies. The tenancy agreement of your dorm is what counts.
Do I have to pay the deposit before I move in?
In the Stuttgart example the deposit must be paid before you move in, and it is not interest-bearing. Other dorms also require a deposit. The amount is stated in the tenancy agreement or the offer.
What to do next
- Check the deadlines on the website of your student services organisation for the next semester.
- Prepare your documents and submit the application in time.
- Compare warm rent, deposit and fees with a shared flat near you.
- Keep an alternative ready in case the waiting list takes longer.
Related guides
- Affordable student housing: strategy, portals and costs
- Student Contents Insurance in Shared Flats and Dorms: When It Pays
- Student Broadcasting Fee: Exemption, Dorm and Shared Flat
- BAföG Rates 2026/27: Figures, Allowances and Limits
- Studentenwohnheim oder WG: Was passt besser zu dir? (in German)
Sources: Studierendenwerk Stuttgart, rental conditions for dorms (status 12/2024, in German), OTH Regensburg, notes on dorm places and waiting lists (status October 2026, in German), Studierendenwerke, BAföG rates (status 2026, in German), Deutsches Studierendenwerk, overview of the student services organisations (in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
