Finding an apartment in Germany: challenges, solutions and first steps
- Ece Berrak
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
If you're planning to move to Germany, one of your biggest questions is probably: "Where will I live, and will it be easy to find an apartment?"
Everyone knows this: Finding an apartment in Berlin is incredibly difficult, and in Munich, it's practically impossible. This is no exaggeration; finding an apartment in Germany often requires patience.
Why is it difficult to find a house in Germany?
The German housing market has been under enormous pressure for years. The number of students, immigrants, and young professionals is rising rapidly in major cities, but new housing construction isn't keeping pace. Hundreds of people are applying for affordable housing, especially in Berlin.
Landlords are also very picky. They often require documents such as pay stubs, a certificate of rent arrears, and even a Schufa credit report. Preparing these documents isn't easy for newcomers.
Language barriers further complicate the process. Most listings are in German, and landlords want to see applications in German. This reduces the chances of people who don't speak the language.
Solutions: Where to Start Finding a Home in Germany?
This is where strategy becomes a challenge. If you're new to Germany, finding permanent accommodation right away might be unrealistic. But there's no need to panic.
👉 Temporary solutions are a good option at first. Shared rooms or temporary rentals that you can rent for a few months are a good option to start with. The rent is cheaper and you have the opportunity to meet new people.
The most commonly used websites for apartment searches:
WG-Gesucht.de (for rooms and temporary accommodation)
Immobilienscout24.de (for traditional rental apartments)
eBay Classifieds (for various listings)
But remember: You need to prepare well when applying to these websites. Applying for an apartment in Germany is like a small race. The better and more complete your documents, the better your chances.
Required documents for applying for housing in Germany
Many people are surprised, but when looking for housing in Germany, an application package – similar to a resume – is required. This application package usually contains:
Copy of passport
Employment contract or student ID
Payslip or proof of income
Schufa credit report
Letter of recommendation, if necessary
Of course, many documents are often difficult for newcomers to find right away. Therefore, shared apartments or temporary accommodations are a much easier way to get started.
Simplify the process with our guides
At Berrak & Co., we want to make your apartment search in Germany easier. Our detailed guides explain where and how to search the housing market, what documents are required, and which steps will make your search easier. This provides you with a reliable guide to guide you through the process.
In these guides, you'll find clear answers to questions like:
Which cities and regions are best?
Reliable platforms for searching for real estate offers?
The most common mistakes newcomers to Germany make?
What documents do you need in your application?
Where should I live first?
If you want to get the best start to your new life in Germany, you can take the first step now:
Remember: every great journey begins with a small step.
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