Last updated: March 2026

TL;DR: Book temporary accommodation in Germany for your first 1-4 weeks before arriving. Best options: Studentenwerk temporary housing (EUR 10-20/night, limited availability), youth hostels (EUR 25-40/night), Airbnb/Booking.com (EUR 35-80/night), or Facebook/WG-Gesucht sublets. Never sign a long-term lease without visiting the apartment in person.

What Are Your Temporary Accommodation Options in Germany?

The best approach is to secure 2-4 weeks of temporary housing before you fly, then search for permanent accommodation after arriving. Signing a long-term lease sight-unseen from abroad is risky due to rental scams and the inability to inspect the property. Here are your options ranked by cost:

| Option | Cost per Night | Best For | Book How Far Ahead | |

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---| | Studentenwerk temporary housing | EUR 10-20 | Budget-conscious students at participating unis | 2-3 months | | Youth hostels (DJH) | EUR 25-40 | Short stays (1-2 weeks), social atmosphere | 1-2 months | | WG sublets (Facebook/WG-Gesucht) | EUR 15-30 | 2-8 week stays, apartment experience | 1-2 months | | Airbnb | EUR 35-80 | Privacy, kitchen access, flexible dates | 1-2 months | | Budget hotels | EUR 50-100 | Convenience, last-minute bookings | 2-4 weeks | | Wunderflats/HousingAnywhere | EUR 500-900/month | Furnished monthly rentals, no German paperwork | 1-2 months |

Studentenwerk Temporary Housing

Several Studentenwerke (student services organizations) offer temporary rooms for international students arriving in Germany for the first time. This is the cheapest option, but availability is extremely limited.

How it works:

• Contact your university's Studentenwerk directly (find yours at studentenwerke.de)
• Rooms are typically available for 1-4 weeks at EUR 10-20/night
• First-come, first-served; some require pre-registration months ahead
• Usually located on or near campus in existing dormitory buildings

Cities with reliable Studentenwerk temporary housing: Berlin (both StudierendenWERK Berlin locations), Munich, Hamburg, Dresden, Leipzig, Heidelberg, Freiburg. Not all cities offer this service, so always verify with your specific Studentenwerk before counting on it.

For long-term student housing applications, submit your Studentenwerk dormitory application as early as possible. Waitlists in cities like Munich and Berlin can be 2-4 semesters long. See the full housing guide for long-term options.

Youth Hostels (Jugendherbergen)

German Youth Hostels (DJH) are clean, safe, and located in every major city. They cost EUR 25-40/night including breakfast.

What you need:

• A DJH membership card (EUR 7 for students under 27, available at any hostel on arrival)
• Valid ID or passport
• Booking via jugendherberge.de or Hostelworld

Pros: Affordable, social, central locations, breakfast included, lockers for belongings Cons: Shared rooms (4-8 beds typically), limited privacy, may have curfews, no cooking facilities at some locations

Youth hostels work well for the first 1-2 weeks while you apartment-hunt. Many international students use hostels as a base for attending apartment viewings during their initial days.

WG Sublets via Social Media and Platforms

Students who go abroad for exchange semesters, internships, or holidays often sublet their rooms for 1-6 months. These are some of the best temporary housing deals because you get a real apartment experience at student-friendly prices.

Where to find sublets:

• Facebook groups: Search for "[City name] WG" or "[City name] Zwischenmiete" (interim rent). Examples: "WG-Zimmer Berlin," "München Zwischenmiete"
• WG-Gesucht.de: Filter for "befristet" (temporary) listings
• Studierendenwerk bulletin boards at your university
• eBay Kleinanzeigen (now "Kleinanzeigen"): Filter for furnished rooms

Safety tips:

• Never pay rent before seeing the room (in person or via video call with live walkthrough)
• Never wire money to someone you haven't verified as the actual tenant
• Ask for a simple sublet contract (Untermietvertrag) even for short stays
• Check that the main tenant has permission from the landlord to sublet

Furnished Apartments (Wunderflats, HousingAnywhere)

Platforms like Wunderflats, HousingAnywhere, and Spotahome specialize in furnished monthly rentals for expats and students. These are pricier than sublets but offer verified listings, online contracts, and English-language support.

Typical costs: EUR 500-900/month for a furnished room or small apartment Minimum stay: Usually 1-3 months Advantages: No German bureaucracy, verified landlords, all-inclusive pricing, can book from abroad with confidence

This option works best if you want stability for your first 1-3 months while searching for permanent housing at a lower price.

Booking.com and Airbnb

For maximum flexibility and privacy, Airbnb and Booking.com offer short-term stays across every German city. Filter for "entire place" to get a kitchen (essential for saving on food costs).

Budget tips:

• Book outside the city center; German public transport is excellent, and a Deutschland-Ticket (EUR 58/month) covers unlimited regional travel
• Look for weekly or monthly discounts on Airbnb (hosts often offer 20-30% off for stays over 7 nights)
• Consider smaller cities near your university town; neighboring towns can be significantly cheaper

First-Week Checklist After Arriving

Your temporary accommodation is your base for completing these essential tasks in your first week:

1. Anmeldung (city registration): Register your address at the Bürgeramt within 14 days of arrival. You need a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation) from your temporary host. Some temporary accommodations can provide this.
2. Open a bank account: N26 or Deutsche Bank can be opened quickly. See our German bank account guide
3. Activate health insurance: Required for university enrollment (~EUR 120/month for public student insurance)
4. Get a SIM card: Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect, or O2 prepaid SIMs from any supermarket or electronics store
5. Start apartment hunting: Attend viewings, register on WG-Gesucht, check Studentenwerk waitlist status

For the complete arrival checklist, see our first things to do in Germany guide.

How to Avoid Rental Scams

Rental scams targeting international students are common in Germany, especially in high-demand cities like Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg. Red flags:

• Landlord claims to be abroad and asks you to wire money before viewing
• Price is suspiciously low for the location and size
• Listing uses stock photos or photos from other websites
• Asked to pay a "reservation fee" or deposit before signing a contract
• Communication only via email, refuses phone or video calls

Golden rule: Never transfer money before you have physically seen the apartment or had a live video tour with the person holding keys in the actual unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I book temporary accommodation?

Book 2-3 months before your arrival, especially if arriving in September/October (winter semester start) when demand peaks. Summer semester arrivals (March/April) have slightly more availability.

Can I do Anmeldung (city registration) from a temporary address?

It depends on the accommodation. Hotels and Airbnb hosts can sometimes provide the required Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, but not all will. Studentenwerk temporary housing and sublet landlords are more likely to provide it. Ask before booking.

How long should I plan for temporary accommodation?

Plan for 2-4 weeks minimum. In cities like Munich and Berlin, finding permanent housing can take 4-8 weeks. In smaller cities like Magdeburg, Chemnitz, or Jena, you may find something within 1-2 weeks.

What is the cheapest city for temporary accommodation?

Eastern German cities offer the lowest prices. Chemnitz, Leipzig, Dresden, Magdeburg, and Jena have hostel rates of EUR 20-30/night and sublet rooms for EUR 200-350/month. Munich and Frankfurt are the most expensive.

Should I sign a lease from abroad before arriving?

Only through verified platforms like Wunderflats or HousingAnywhere. Never sign a lease or transfer money based on a Craigslist, Facebook, or email-only listing without seeing the place. Scams targeting international students are widespread.