New in Hamburg? Everything you need to take care of!

• Research the costs associated with renting a room in Hamburg when applying to the University.
• Explore the different options available for finding a room.
• Seek an affordable temporary accommodation option (such as hostels, youth hostels, staying with acquaintances, Airbnb, or similar) where you can reside for the first few weeks to two months while you search for a permanent room in Hamburg.
• If possible, arrive in Hamburg before the semester begins (students coming from non-EU countries will need a Studienbewerbervisum (student applicant visa). You can find more information on visa requirements here:  Coming to Hamburg – Visa.
• Be flexible regarding the neighborhood, room size, etc. Once you’ve settled in Hamburg, you can always choose to move again.
• Getting a room in a student dormitory is the simplest and most affordable option. It is worth applying, but it can take a semester or sometimes longer to receive a room offer due to long waiting lists.
• For students without personal income, having a guarantor, such as parents or relatives, can be a significant advantage when looking for housing!
• Be cautious of fraud, such as fake online listings! Never transfer money in advance before you have inspected the apartment and signed the lease. Apartment viewings should always be free of charge.

Where can I live?

You have several options:

• Rent a room in a student dormitory from Studierendenwerk (Student Services) or other organizations.
• Find a room in a Wohngemeinschaft (WG) (Shared Apartment).
• Rent your own apartment from a real estate company or a private individual.

What if I haven’t found a room before the start of the semester?

Check with Studierendenwerk (Student Services) to see if you can rent a room for one to six months. If those rooms are booked, try to find a reasonably priced room in a youth hostel or a hotel for two to three weeks.

• Studierendenwerk (Student Services) – Short-term Rentals
• Youth Hostels in Germany
• Tourist Information for Hamburg

Exchange students should note the following:

• Take advantage of reserved rooms in student dormitories for Erasmus and central exchange students. Finding housing on your own can be challenging!
• Start your applications three to four months before the semester begins, as application deadlines vary by faculty.
• Contact your Erasmus coordinator at the University of Hamburg to receive a dormitory application form.
• Please note: As an exchange student, you may not apply directly to Studierendenwerk (Student Services) for a room in a hall of residence.

Contact and more information:

Exchange and Guest Students

Studierendenwerk Hamburg (Hamburg Student Services)

• Studierendenwerk Hamburg offers 26 residences with about 4,400 places.
• A furnished room costs about 330 to 440 euros per month, with a deposit starting at 400 euros.
• Rooms are mostly 10 to 13 square meters and come furnished, sharing a kitchen, common area, and bathrooms.
• Students over 35 are not eligible to apply.

How do I apply?

• Studierendenwerk (Student Services) – Online Application
• Complete the online application. (Erasmus students must contact their coordinator in Hamburg and have an Erasmus application form sent to them).
• Rooms are in high demand, and new students can join the waiting list no earlier than three months before the semester begins. Applying to all residences increases your chances of obtaining a place quickly.

Contact and more information:

Beratungszentrum Wohnen – BeWo (Housing Advising Center)

There are regular online events with tips and information about applying for a place in a student dormitory.

Other housing organizations

• In addition to the student service residences, there are ten other housing complexes managed by different organizations, offering a total of 1,600 places.
• Applications should be directed to the respective dormitories themselves.
• The costs of rooms, similar to those offered by Studierendenwerk, ranges from around 250 to 440 euros per month.

How do I apply?

• Studierendenwerk (Student Services) – Student residences
• After the list of the student service residences, you will find a list of residences run by denominational and other non-profit organizations at the bottom of the website.
• The application process for a room is different. You have to inquire directly with the respective organization.

What is a WG (shared apartment)?

• Due to the high cost of apartments in Hamburg, many students live in a shared living arrangement (WG). Typically, you have your own room, but the bathroom and kitchen are shared.
• When you apply for a room in a WG, you will be invited not only to view the apartment, but also to meet the current tenants.
• Typically, one person in the main tenant (Hauptmieter:in) (who pays the total rent to the property owner) and the others are subtenants (who pay their room rent to the main tenant). It’s important to always have everything in writing, ideally formalized in a contract.

What is subletting (Zwischenmiete)?

When students do not need their room for a short perioud (for example, because they are abroad), they rent out their room to others. Subletting in an excellent way to find a room in Hamburg on a short-term basis, allowing you to then look for a more permanent apartment or room!

How can I find my own apartment?

• Affordable, small apartments are very popular, and listings on the Internet often disappear within a few hours due to high demand.
• Applicants are usually only accepted if they have a personal income, such as a work contract or scholarship (at least three times the rent), or a guarantor.
• Most apartments are rented out by smaller or larger housing companies. The largest municipal company is SAGA , who offer apartments at relatively affordable prices.
• Private individuals also rent out apartments. Ensure that the rental process is professional, with a written lease agreement and a protocol documenting the condition of the apartment.

Where do I look for shared apartments (WGs) or apartments?

• Online housing portals: Enter keywords such as "WG Hamburg," "Hamburg Wohngemeinschaften," or "Wohnungssuche Hamburg" in a search engine. You will receive a list of links to numerous online housing portals.
• If you use "Kleinanzeigen Hamburg" as your search term, you will find websites with numerous private listings.
• Social networks: You can also find offers for WGs and apartments on social networks. This is especially useful for finding students who are looking to sublet their rooms.
• Take initiative. Perhaps acquaintances of yours have contacts in Hamburg who can assist you in your search for accommodation? If you participate in a buddy program, you can also receive tips on apartment hunting. Start your search early and engage with anyone who can provide advice and contacts.

Rent and Additional Costs

• You pay the base rent (Kaltmiete) for the apartment and the additional costs (Nebenkosten).
• The total rent (Warmmiete), which includes base rent and utilities such as heating, water, and garbage collection, is paid directly to the landlord. Contracts for the remaining utilities might be managed by an individual from the shared apartment with a provider.
• It varies which additional costs are paid directly to the landlord and which are paid to external providers.

What are the additional costs (Nebenkosten)?

• Operating costs: These costs, such as water and garbage collection, are listed in the lease agreement and are paid directly to the landlord.
• Heating costs: Heating expenses are either included in the lease or you will need to sign a separate contract with an energy provider, such as Hamburger Energiewerke.
• Electricity: You always sign a contract with an electricity provider yourself (e.g., Hamburger Energiewerke).
• Telephone and internet connection: You must also sign a contract with a service provider independently.
• State broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag): Mandatory fee for every apartment (€18.36 per month).
• In a shared apartment (WG), one person typically pays for the rent, electricity, internet, and broadcasting fee, and the others contribute their share to this person. It is crucial to agree on this arrangement in writing (at least via email) before moving in to prevent conflicts.

Do I have to pay the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)?

• Like all residents: each apartment must pay a broadcasting fee of €18.36 per month.
• When multiple people live together, only one person pays the fee of €18.36 per month, and the other roommates contribute their share to this person. Students receiving BAföG (federal student financial aid) may be exempt from this fee.
• You can find more information and register online here: Rundfunkbeitrag – Befreiung oder Ermäßigung beantragen (Citizens Apply for Exemption or Reduction)

What is a rental deposit (Mietkaution)?

• Landlords can request a security deposit (up to three times the base rent) as a common practice.
• You get the deposit back when moving out, provided there are no damages.
• It’s crucial to document any existing damages in a handover protocol when you move in, so you are not liable for these when moving out

Be Careful! : Beware of scams! Never transfer money in advance before you have viewed the apartment and signed the lease agreement. Viewing an apartment is always free!

You can book your appointment online through the City of Hamburg’s Service Portal.

Here’s how to do it (unfortunately, the online portal is only offered in German):

Digitales Terminmanagement – Digital Appointment Management

1. Click on Einwohnerwesen
2. Datenschutzerklärung zustimmen (Agree to the Privacy Policy)
3. Kontaktdaten eingeben (Enter your contact details)
4. Anmeldung der alleinigen Wohnung oder der Hauptwohnung (Register your main address)
5. Termin buchen (Book an appointment): Simply choose a Hamburg Service location in a district where appointments are available, regardless of the district you live in.

• A personal ID or passport.
• A completed and signed registration form.
• A completed and signed confirmation of housing (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
• Fee: € 13

Forms to download

• Simply register your new address in Hamburg online.
• You will receive a digital registration confirmation.
• Updates to your personal ID, passport, or eID card can also be made through the online service.
• Hamburg Service Account Plus (if you do not have one, you can set it up at Serviceportal Hamburg ➔ Ihr Servicekonto ➔ Registrieren ➔ als Privatperson ➔ Servicekonto Plus).

Requirements for using the new online services:

• Personal ID with activated online ID function.
• Hamburg Service Account Plus (if you do not have one, you can set it up at serviceportal.hamburg.de).
• AusweisApp2.
• EU citizens and residents of the European Economic Area can also use the online service, for which an eID card is needed.

More information and online service:

Elektronische Wohnsitzanmeldung – Electronic Residence Registration 

In Germany, there are:

Gesetzliche Krankenversicherungen (GKV) or Statutory Health Insurance

Students pay a legally fixed, uniform base contribution for health and nursing care insurance plus an additional contribution. The nursing insurance contribution varies depending on age and the number of children, while the additional contribution varies by health insurance provider.

•  Student Health Insurance for students under 30 years old: approximately 120–127 euros per month total (82.99 euros for health and up to 32.48 euros for nursing care insurance, plus the additional contribution of the respective health insurance fund).

•  Voluntary Health Insurance for students over 30 years old: approximately 215–220 euros per month total (164.97 euros for health and up to 47.13 euros for nursing care insurance, plus the additional contribution of the respective health insurance fund). After turning 30, student insurance is no longer an option. The contribution for voluntarily insured depends on your income. The amount listed here is the minimum contribution when you have no income.

List of statutory health insurance providers:

GKV-Spitzenverband – Krankenkassenliste

Private Krankenversicherungen (PKV) or Private Health Insurance

Note that once you choose private health insurance, it is generally not possible to switch back during your studies. Make sure you have adequate coverage and seek advice from an independent body, such as the Student Services, particularly for non-EU students to ensure the insurance meets the requirements for a residence permit.

How do I apply for insurance?

You can usually apply for insurance online with most health insurance providers and upload your documents. You will need a photo (for your electronic health card) and your enrollment certificate. Documents may also be submitted later if needed.

Beratungszentrum Soziales & Internationales – BeSI (Social and International Advisory Center)

• Advice is available via phone, email, or in person – several times a week, with or without an appointment!
• On the BeSI website, you will find current opening hours as well as helpful and detailed information on health insurance. You can also book an appointment for a personal consultation.