Several options are available to you to find your new home in Berlin. In any case, we'd recommend seeking an apartment in the Charlottenburg or Tiergarten districts close to the university and to pay attention that your future residence is close to a public transportation stop (preferably a station of the U2 subway). While rates in the Eastern districts can be slightly cheaper and nightlife is more prominent, the long travel distance can be cumbersome.

 

 

In comparison to cities in Western Germany or other central European capitals, Berlin has relatively low rental rates, even in districts in proximity to the university.

 

There are various websites listing apartment advertisements, such as 

It is also possible to search the postings of various real estate companies, f. e.:

Furnished apartments can also be available in the form of vacation flats (Ferienwohnungen):

 

Obviously, it is advisable that you visit and physically inspect any apartment before signing a contract. Also, landlords usually obscure total accomodation costs by expressing their fees either by the German words Kaltmiete (plain rental fee) and Warmmiete (utility costs included, except electricity). If you are negotiating with a real estate agent instead of directly with the landlord, the former commonly charges a commission before contract signing.

In either case, landlords will require a security deposit, commmonly 2-3 monthly rents in advance. For foreign applicants, some landlords also require proof of income, such as proof of funds for three monthly rents. Furthermore, liability insurance might also be required. According to German law, landlords are not allowed to access security deposits and have to provide interest upon pay back.

If you cannot inspect a desired apartment in person, you would have to entitle a proxy to realize the rental agreement for you.

 

 

The Studentenwerk is the central agency overseeing dormitories for students of all unversities in Berlin. This organization provides rental contracts more adapted to student needs, such as contract durations adapted to the duration of your study, which is advisable if you are only staying only a semester for example. No commission fees are charged by the Studentenwerk.

The selection provided ranges from single rooms to entire apartments. The closest facility is Siegmundshof complex. We do not recommend the Biesdorf dormitory due to the great distance to our facility.

 

 

Sometimes students can find roomates to share an apartment or house together. Students usually establish such contacts on their own, or through networks such as student associations (by origin country, by field of study, etc.), or through interest groups (such as by religion) or even stay at friends and family in Berlin.

 

 

In order to facilitate an less overburdened transition and acclimation to life in Berlin, it might be advisable to you to initially stay in a hotel or youth hostel.

 

Hotels can be found through websites like Expedia, or HRS. Hotels in walking distance to the university are

 

 

Youth hostels are a cheaper alternative and can be found on sites like Hostelworld . The AO Youth Hostel am Zoo is closest to the university and offers rates beginning at €10/night.