Ultimate Guide: How To Get an Apartment With Anmeldung in Germany

Written from the perspective of a ‘Wahlberlinerin’ who has an apartment with Anmeldung

I came across Agnes Simigh’s story about how finding a flat in Germany can be a nightmare. I second what she wrote. It’s far from easy, unless you get lucky at first bat, and that rarely happens.

Finding my dream flat in Germany’s capital within an acceptable price range took me one year. I wrote a piece on flat hunting a while back too. I’m revisiting it and pouring it into an easier-to-follow format.

Here, I want to answer some common questions from a foreigner’s/immigrant’s or however you want to call it perspective of finding a flat with Anmeldung or a permanent registration. Although I focus on Berlin, the same tactics can be applied to get a flat anywhere in Germany.

Note: I use the word “flat” and “apartment” interchangeably.

Table of Contents (works only on Desktop, not mobile app)

What you should know about finding a flat with Anmeldung 
#1 The rental market is saturated AF 
#2 Your maximum housing budget = ⅓ of your net income
#3 Be prepared to buy off the current renter’s furniture
#4 Most flats are rented out empty
#5 German-speaking people are preferred 
#6 No documents? No apartment 
#7 No flat without a job, no job without a flat 
#8 You don’t need to pay exorbitant prices 

Follow these steps to get a flat with Anmeldung in Berlin or Germany
Step 1: Gather your documents 
Additional documents to include for freelancers 
Step 2: Always have your documents on you 
Step 3: Where to find apartments in Berlin and in Germany
Step 4: Apply to apartments like its your job
Step 5: Go to the viewing
Step 6: If you like the flat, offer your documents to the landlord or whoever’s in charge at the viewing
Step 7: Repeat steps 3–6
Step 8: Check every line and dot in the contract
Step 9: Sign the rental contract
Step 10: Book Bürgeramt Termin to finally get your Anmelding

Bonus - Step 11: How to furnish a flat cheaply or even for free
Method 1: The streets of Berlin
Method 2: eBay Kleinanzeigen
Method 3: Free Your Stuff/Zu Verschenken Facebook groups

Final thoughts

Here’s everything I know and what you can expect.

➡️ You can download this blog as a PDF ebook on Gumroad! 

Finding a flat with Anmeldung in Berlin

I’ve been living in Germany’s capital for more than six years, of which five years in my current studio flat. Getting a flat with a registration at an affordable price was a real challenge. At the height of the hunt, I rushed to three different viewings — on the same day. Once I found a flat, I swore to hold onto it either until the day I die, or the day I move out of Germany.

To me, I consider “affordable” (read: cheap) as anything in the price range of €300–450 euros warm ($351,80–$527,70) for a studio flat. Before you start laughing that this is impossible, you should know I pay a warm rent on the lower part of this range. For Altbau, in a metropole, and yes, in a desirable and central location within the Ring.

Do take into account that the prices have risen considerably. You’re more likely to end up paying around €450 to €700 warm for any one room apartment in the city.

Cheaper apartments still exists today, but you must know how to find them.

It will take work. If we tell you where and how to find it, but you think you can get away with making up your own rules, forget about your flat with Anmeldung.

What you should know about finding a flat with Anmeldung

It’s not impossible, but not easy either.

#1 The rental market is saturated AF

Berlin is short of 145.000 apartments. That means rental lords and flat owners have an upper hand.

When you go to an apartment viewing, knowing the street name is enough. You’ll spot a crowd of people standing aimlessly in front of an apartment building from afar. They’re waiting to be picked up by the landlord who will show them around inside the flat.

On average, expect to be crammed into a 30–50m² flat (322–538 ft²) with forty to sixty other people and in some cases 800 to 1800 people. You’ll be queueing outside the building and inside the stairway and flat.

When I look at the apartment platforms I notice two things.

• Fewer cheap flats available. They used to be scattered across all Bezirke or districts.
• More Tauschwohnungen than ever. Cheap flats are available, but the majority is a Tauschwohnung or apartment swap. This means someone wants to trade their flat for yours, and that’s only possible if you already have a flat to begin with.

#2 Your maximum housing budget = ⅓ of your net income

The warm rent should not be more than a third of your income. This is what landlords look for. They like security and use this as a criterion to ensure they’ll get their rent money each month.

Do not bother applying for flats in a price range far above this threshold.

#3 Be prepared to buy off the current renter’s furniture

The current renter of an apartment sometimes helps their landlord find a new renter. As a prerequisite, they can demand that the next person buys off all their furniture. This way, they won’t have to bother about emptying the apartment or selling their furniture piece by piece — which is a hassle.

This is what I did. I signed a document stating I would buy all the furniture that the current renter left inside the flat.

Be ready to burn your money. It doesn’t matter if the furniture pieces are not to your taste.

Whether they ask for €200 to €5000: if you’re not willing to pay, chances are they won’t introduce you to their landlord. And by that you’ll miss out on the apartment.

#4 Most flats are rented out empty

Unlike in other countries, such as Spain where you rent a fully furnished house. As Agnes mentioned, flats are normally rented out empty. Oftentimes, the kitchen is completely empty too. There is no kitchen block, no sink, nothing. This is normal.

Being forced to buy off someone’s household effects is not all bad. If you come here with nothing but a suitcase and a backpack, starting with a furnished flat is a blessing.

On eBay Kleinanzeigen you can find cheap used kitchens you can pick up with a rental car or truck and install yourself. More on that later. Your first priority is to find an apartment. You can worry about household appliances and furnishing later.

#5 German-speaking people are preferred

As Agnes wrote in her story, German speakers have an advantage. If you don’t speak the language, flat hunting gets a bit harder.

Many landlords don’t speak or don’t want to speak English. When you experience problems inside the flat, you’re going to need to be able to communicate with one another. German speakers are appreciated because they make the landlord’s life easier.

Build trust and lower prejudice related to nationality by:

• Having your paperwork prepared perfectly when you go flat hunting — we’ll get there in the steps below
• Learning to speak some German so you can communicate with your future landlord and leave a good impression. If you cannot speak German, take a friend with you who can do the talking during a viewing.

Always write your flat hunting applications in German. Not in English. Unless you’re dealing with a co-living agency that promotes its services in English on their website, or if the apartment ad is written in English.

#6 No documents? No apartment

When you go flat hunting in Germany, it’ll feel very similar to job hunting. You need to prepare a booklet of paperwork and be ready to hand it over to a potential landlord at any time. It starts with a proof of income and you should have one for the last three months.

• Don’t yet have salary slips because you just started a new job? Don’t worry: Provide a copy of your employment contract instead!
• If you can’t provide them with the paperwork, your application will be ignored.
• If any important document is missing from your booklet? Your application will be ignored.

I warned you.

#7 No flat without a job, no job without a flat

It’s much like the chicken and the egg. To get a flat you need to show proof of income. To get a job and therefore an income, you need a registered address.

If you’re planning to move to Berlin from afar, finding a job first might be best. Either that, or getting your freelancing business to profitability so you can show you have a sufficient income to cover your rent.

#8 You don’t need to pay exorbitant prices

900 Euros for a 30m² or 98 ft² flat is ridiculous. Stay patient in your search. Do not get desperate. You don’t want to end up overpaying.

Follow these steps to get a flat with Anmeldung in Berlin or Germany

The adventure begins.

Step 1: Gather your documents

Only start looking for flats once have collected all your documents! If not, your efforts will be in vain.

Don’t have a job or sufficient income yet? I’d advice not to look for an apartment yet, but to:

• Go for a room in a Wohngemeinschaft (WG). WG-Gesucht.de is the go-to website for room rentals.
• Or sublet (Untermiete or Zwischenmiete) instead, either in a WG, or a flat (see step 3)

If you can get a room with Anmeldung or registration, even better.

Looking for a job in Berlin? Try to get your hands on an unbefristetet Arbeitsvertrag or permanent employment contract. It signals security; German landlords love it. You might notice lesser glamorous jobs try to lure people in with this perk. Don’t underestimate this perk’s usefulness. Your first job in Berlin doesn’t need to be your dream job. You can always upgrade later. The same with apartments!

Let’s assume you have sufficient income to go flat hunting. Of all documents we need, these are the bare minimum:

1. Arbeitsvertrag/Einkommensnachweise. Copy of your employment contract or last 3 salary sheets. My advice: add both. Make sure to always update your stack with your newest salary slip. Make life easier for the landlords. Save them time looking for your total net income by highlighting or circling it.

2. Schufa-Bonitätsauskunft. You can buy one at Postbank immediately for €29.95. If you have time to wait for two weeks, you can get one for free at Meine Schufa. It will be sent to your home.

3. Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung. This is a signed document from your previous landlord stating you always paid your rent on time and have no outstanding debt.

4. Kopie des Personalausweises. A copy of your ID.

Now we want to make your flat hunting application more attractive to landlords so that you are the only obvious choice. More documents signal transparency and therefore increase trust.

5. Hausratversicherung or household insurance. This insurance protects your registered address against fire, burglary, vandalism and the like. Add a copy of this insurance to your documents.

6. Haftpflichtversicherung or liability insurance. This covers you in case you unintentionally destroy someone else’s property.

7. Bank statement showing your savings. This might help you if your income is on the lower level for the flat you’re applying to. It works for freelancers as well as employees. Remember: the warm rent can be ⅓ of your monthly net income.

8. Meldebestätigung or registration of your current address, if you have one in Germany.

Additional documents to include for freelancers

If you’re a freelancer, replace the Arbeitsvertrag (employment contract) and Einkommensnachweise (salary slips) from point 1 with:

1a. Registration of your freelancing business.

1b. Total net earnings of the past 3 months. It doesn't matter much where the money comes from. You need to show that you have it. Again, keep this up-to-date. 

1c. Freelancing-related insurances you may have (freelancers are seen as “less reliable” to a landlord because their income typically fluctuates. Offset this negative by disclosing insurances and bank statements with savings.)

Step 2: Always have your documents on you

Now that you’ve gathered all necessary documents, You Will Never Leave The House Without Them Again. You’ll hand over the documents at the end of an apartment viewing. Also, you never know when you have to catch a Bahn for spontaneous viewings.

Paper copies:

• Print at least 10 copies of all your documents.
• Sort them in packs. Double-check that no document is missing.
• Make it seem like you’re organized. Put sticky notes in between the pages to separate sections. For example: Persönliche Daten — Personal information Arbeit & Einkommen — Work & earnings Versicherungen — Insurances
• Put each stack into an envelope. Write your full name on the back.
• Have at least 3 stacks with you at all times.

Online copies:

1. Create a shared folder on Google Drive or Dropbox. Save here copies of your documents.
2. Save the shared link where you can easily access it.
3. Write out a flat hunting template (example below). Save it as a canned response so you don’t need to write out the same text again and again.
4. Save copies of your documents on your phone as well for easy access.

• Change the bolded text with the required details per application.
• Make sure to adjust the “Sehr geehrter Herr/sehr geehrte Frau” in case the apartment ad shows a person’s name.

Now, you’ll have paper copies in case of ad-hoc viewings. You’ll also have digital copies, ready to be attached to emails. Better to be overly prepared than not at all.

Step 3: Where to find apartments in Berlin and in Germany

Now comes the fun part. Don’t know which Bezirk or neigborhood fits you best? I came across this video that gives a great overview on the different ones in Berlin.

Where to find apartments if you’re not yet in Berlin

Your company will likely support you in your apartment search. Don’t be shy. Ask them.

To get started, you can consider starting to rent via:

• Nestpick
• HousingAnywhere
• Spotahome

You can filter by date and budget. Some listings even offer an Anmeldung or registration. Anmeldung in saturated markets like Berlin is equivalent to the Holy Grail.

Pro-tip and my personal opinion: If you can get an Anmeldung like that, take it. Upgrade to your dream flat later on when you’re in the city and able to hunt like a pro.

You may get lucky and find your dream apartment among the listings. If not, you’ll follow the traditional route and look for flats where the rest of us do.

Where to find apartments if you’re already in Berlin:

• Ebay Kleinanzeigen > Kategorien > Immobilien > Mietwohnungen. Use the filters on the left to adjust your budget and preferences.
• Null Provision. Listings shown here are provision-free and up-to-date.
• Expat Facebook groups; for me that’d be “Dutch People in [Insert City Name]”.
• Wohnungsbaugenossenschaften. Search for one in the neighborhood where you want to live. Wohnungsbaugenossenschaften offer affordable living. When you accept a flat, you’ll have to become a member of the Genossenschaft. Instead of transferring a deposit, you’ll pay for Genossenschaftsanteile.
• Search on Google: “co-living” + name of Bezirk (neighborhood) or city you want to live in

Step 4: Apply to apartments like its your job

Ask for viewing details for each and any flat you like. Make sure to follow the instructions stated in the apartment advertisement/listing. If the landlord writes “please call me”, call them. Don’t write a message, or you automatically disqualify yourself.

An example message:

Sehr geehrte Frau [Name]/Sehr geehrter Herr [Name],

Ich bin an Ihrer Wohnung an der [Street name + No] interessiert. Wann wäre eine Besichtigung möglich? Alle benötigten Unterlagen (Schufa, Arbeitsvertrag, Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung) habe ich dabei.

Im Voraus vielen Dank.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

[Your name]

At this stage, all we’re asking for is when we can view the flat. Landlords or intermediaries don’t need your documents — yet.

Pro Tip 1: We always address landlords formally with Sie. Never with du.

Pro Tip 2: Do not stop after writing to one flat. You should write to EVERY flat that could be a match. You don’t know if you’ll get a reply, be invited for a viewing, let alone receive a rental contract.

Write to one flat, forget about it, and move onto the next one. And the next. And the next.

Pro Tip 3: Turn on all notifications for new listings. Glue your screen to your eyes and your fingers onto the refresh key.

One listing can rack up hundreds to thousands of views within a day. Landlords stop replying after they receive the first hundred inquiries. That means you need to be among the first few who asks for a viewing.

Pro Tip 4: Be ready to be at a viewing at any time in one hour from now. If you don’t use the opportunity, sixty other people will. You’ll miss out.

Pro Tip 5: Try not to get scammed. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

An example: A classic used on eBay Kleinanzeigen and WG-Gesucht is “I am not in Berlin right now, but if you transfer a €2K deposit via Western Union, I will send you the keys of this beautiful, dirt-cheap apartment on an A-location that looks like a penthouse”. Do not believe this. It’s fake.

Step 5: Go to the viewing

Once you start to receive replies from landlords:

• Thank them for replying and confirm that you’ll be there.
• Mark the date.
• Be pünktlich. In other words, be damn early. Twenty minutes early is sufficient. Any less, and you’re pushing it. Lateness is seen as unreliable and that’s not in your favor when hunting flats.
• Remember to bring 3 envelopes with stacks of your paper documents with you to the viewing. One of the three is for the current flat’s landlord. The other two are backups in case you receive an email prompting you to go to another viewing in one hour from now.
• Bring a pen in case they ask you to fill out a form.

Be on your best behavior, just like you would be when applying to a job.

Like it or not, you’re going to be screened based on your appearance. Just like you are getting screened, you should screen the flat too.

• Make pictures for later.
• Check for signs of mold, or leakages, or other damage.
• Ask how the neighbors are in case you’re sound sensitive. Take note of nearby clubs or bars.
• Check the state of the wiring and if there’s a washing machine connection.
• Check what kind of heating the flat has. Berlin winters are no joke. Some flats lack central heating and are heated with coal stoves.
• Is the flat next to a busy road or situated at the back of the building?

Pro Tip: If your German sucks, take a German-speaking friend with you to intermediate.

Step 6: If you like the flat, offer your documents to the landlord or whoever’s in charge at the viewing

Utilize your German-speaking friend here. Ask the landlord during the viewing how they prefer to receive the documents.

• In paper? Perfect, you’ve already prepared an envelope with your documents at step 1.
• By email? Gladly. You have a canned response and a link to your documents at ready.
• Do you need to fill out a form? No problem. You have a pen with you and can fill out the form on the spot.

Accommodate your future landlord or -lady.

You may ask when you can receive a reply. Thank them, leave the flat, and continue the hunt. If they pick you, they will contact you.

Pro Tip: Be glued to your phone throughout the hunt.

Step 7: Repeat steps 3–6

Until you get an offer and hold a signed contract and the keys to your new flat.

Step 8: Check every line and dot in the contract

When you first rent a flat, you will pay:

• Kaution (deposit). If you’re renting from a Genossenschaft or cooperative, it’s called Genossenschaftsanteile or cooperative shares
• Kaltmiete (cold rent). See this as the bare rent.
• Nebenkosten (extra costs). You pay Nebenkosten for things such as water, heating, the bulbs in the stairwell, the trash deposits, and the weekly cleaning of common areas. This could be anything from €0 to €200.

It’s possible you’re asked to transfer your deposit into a Mietkautionskonto. My bank did this for me; I just went there and asked. They’ll lock the Mietkaution or rent deposit into a separate account as a security for the landlord or -lady.

What else to pay attention to:

• When you receive a contract, read it thoroughly. Make sure you understand what you are signing and never sign anything blindly.
• Check for clauses that state the landlord may charge you for weird expenses.
• If a Staffelmiete or graduated rent is mentioned, check by how much % the rent will be increased per X years, and if you’ll be able to cover it.
• Always run a Google search on your Vermieter or landlord. Some have bad reps due to shady business practices such as not helping renters when something is broken in the flat, not paying back the deposit fee, or renovating and then suddenly doubling the prices.

Step 9: Sign the rental contract

You’ll sign two copies: one for you, one for the landlord.

Congratulations, you are now the proud owner of a Berlin apartment!

Step 10: Book Bürgeramt Termin to finally get your Anmelding

Your rental contract holds the key to your Anmeldung or official registration. Go to your local Bürgeramt and register an appointment for Anmelden einer Wohnung within 14 days after moving into your new flat.

You will receive your Anmeldebestätigung or registration confirmation afterward. Again, take your German-speaking friend with you to help with translating.

Bonus — Step 11: How to furnish a flat cheaply or even for free

Method 1: The streets of Berlin

Before you think, “The streets? That’s junk!” Stop. It’s not.

The streets of Berlin work like a self-sufficient circular economy. When people want to get rid of things they no longer use, they place it on the street with a sign reading Zu verschenken or For Free.

Pro Tip: Many people move flats on Sundays. They often leave items they don’t want to take with them on the streets. Take advantage of this on your Sunday walks. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and find brand new household appliances, tables, mirrors, couches or more on the streets.

Method 2: eBay Kleinanzeigen

Look under Alle Kategorien > Verschenken & Tauschen > Verschenken. Verschenken means give away for free. Remember to fill out your location. If you’re patient, I guarantee you can furnish your entire flat with free items from this section.

Pro Tip 1:

• Reply to ads on eBay Kleinanzeigen. Try to get pick-up appointments for large furniture pieces on the same day.
• Find at least one friend to help you carry stuff.
• Rent a cheap pick up truck at Robben & Wientjes for the day.
• Borrow a Sackkarre or hand truck from your friendly local restaurant and some straps for heavier items.

What if you want to pick up small furniture, but you don’t have a driver’s license? Strap your item to a hand cart with straps and transport it in public transport. The metro, buses and trains have enough space.

This is how it’s done:

Pro Tip 2: If the public transport ticket machines on the stations intimidate you, you can download the BVG app to buy tickets in Berlin. The interface is in English.

Method 3: Free Your Stuff/Zu Verschenken Facebook groups

People in these groups want to get rid of stuff fast. Move quickly and you’ll build up an inventory in no time.

Final thoughts

This step-by-step guide will help you on your flat hunting journey in Berlin or elsewhere in Germany. I share this information because:

• People sometimes ask me for flat hunting advice. Referring to a blog post is easier than explaining everything from scratch each time.
• Most people won’t take action. This blog is for the few who do. Many people, especially newbies to the German flat hunting scene, think they can get away without preparing their documents.

Respect the rules of this game. Take the paperwork and punctuality seriously. Learn or at least write down some basic German phrases.

Don’t fixate on one dream flat. Stay at bat. Hunt those flats down. Don’t stop hunting until you’re holding a rental contract and the keys to your new flat in your hands.

What is missing from this guide? What is unclear? What would you like me to elaborate on?

Viel Erfolg mit Deiner Suche!