How to Find a Room in Munich: A Guide for Students and Young Professionals

When to start looking

Most rooms become available on the first of the month, and many shared flats – called WG (Wohngemeinschaft) in German – look for a new flatmate four to eight weeks in advance. The market is busiest before the semester starts: the winter semester begins in October, the summer semester in March or April. The main search periods are therefore August and September, and February and March.

Outside these weeks there are fewer offers, but also less competition. If your move-in date is flexible, you will often find something faster in summer or around the turn of the year.

Which districts suit your university

Munich is big, but well connected. What matters is less the district itself than the travel time to your campus. The main locations at a glance:

Central districts such as Maxvorstadt, Schwabing or Haidhausen are popular and expensive. Rooms are usually cheaper further out – for example in Moosach, Milbertshofen, Neuperlach or Hasenbergl – or in the surrounding towns on an S-Bahn line. Compare travel time rather than distance.

Where to look

• Flat-share portals: a large share of rooms in Munich is advertised on flat-share websites. Also post your own “room wanted” ad – some shared flats contact people directly.
• Student halls: the Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern rents out rooms in student residences. Waiting times are long – apply as early as possible anyway.
• Notice boards and groups: university notice boards, student groups on social networks and the chat groups of your degree programme.
• Property managers with furnished rooms: providers such as COLYO rent out furnished rooms and apartments directly – with a fixed contact person and a written contract.
• Your network: tell fellow students, colleagues and friends that you are looking. Many rooms are passed on before they are even advertised.

How to apply successfully

A good room in Munich often gets dozens of messages. A short, personal message stands out: who are you, what do you do, from when are you looking, and why do you fit into this particular flat? Mention something from the ad – it shows that you actually read it. Writing in German, even simply, is often appreciated.

• Tenant self-disclosure (Mieterselbstauskunft) with your name, occupation and income – usually only once things get serious.
• Proof of income or, as a student, a guarantee from your parents or your BAföG notice.
• SCHUFA report – the German credit report, mainly if you become the main tenant. Landlords usually expect the paid SCHUFA-BonitätsCheck; the free data copy under Article 15 GDPR is meant for you only. If you have just arrived in Germany, you will not have a SCHUFA history yet; a guarantor or proof of funds can help instead.
• ID – to show at the viewing or when signing, not as a copy in your first message.

Next comes the WG-Casting: a meeting where the flatmates get to know several applicants. Be on time, ask your own questions – about the cleaning rota, utility costs and how much the flat does together – and send a short message the next day.

What it will cost

Munich is considered the most expensive rental market in Germany, and rooms in shared flats are no exception. When comparing offers, check whether the price is warm (including utilities) or kalt (excluding utilities): for rooms in shared flats, an all-in price including utilities is common, often with internet included.

• Deposit (Kaution): at most three months’ rent excluding separately listed utility costs; you may pay it in three monthly instalments (Section 551 BGB).
• Broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag): charged once per flat – in a shared flat, you usually split it between you.
• Payment for furniture (Ablöse): some previous tenants ask for money for furniture left in the room. This is negotiable – only pay what the items are worth to you, and never before a viewing.
• Public transport: the Deutschlandticket covers the entire MVV network, so a room outside the city can be worth it.

Renting safely and after you move in

Fake listings are common in Munich: a cheap room in a top location, a landlord abroad, a deposit up front. The ten most important warning signs are covered in Rental Scams in Munich and Nuremberg.

After moving in, you have two weeks to register your address. How this works and which documents you need is explained in our guide to the Anmeldung in Munich and Nuremberg.

Frequently asked questions