WG in Germany: The Complete Flatshare Guide for Expats and Students

For most students, young professionals, and newcomers to Germany, a WG — short for Wohngemeinschaft (shared apartment) — is the most practical and affordable way to live. You rent a private room in a shared apartment, splitting costs like rent, utilities, and internet with your flatmates.

WGs are incredibly common in Germany, especially in university cities. But finding a good one as a foreigner can be competitive and confusing — particularly if you do not know the unwritten rules. This guide walks you through everything: where to search, how to write a standout application, what to check in a contract, and how to be a good flatmate in Germany.

What Is a WG?

A WG (Wohngemeinschaft) is a shared apartment where each person has their own private bedroom but shares common areas — kitchen, bathroom, living room, and sometimes a balcony. Each flatmate typically pays a fixed monthly amount called Warmmiete (warm rent), which usually includes their share of utilities, heating, and internet.

WGs come in many forms:

Student WG — the most common type, especially in university cities. Usually younger residents, social atmosphere, lower rent.
Professional WG — working adults who prefer a quieter home. Higher standards for cleanliness and noise levels.
Themed WG — flatshares organised around shared interests (e.g., vegan living, sports, international residents only).
Zweck-WG — purely practical flatshare where flatmates mostly keep to themselves. Common in larger cities.

How Much Does a WG Room Cost?

City	Average WG room (Warmmiete)	Range
Munich	€900–€1,100/month	€700–€1,500+
Berlin	€700–€900/month	€500–€1,200+
Hamburg	€750–€950/month	€550–€1,300+
Frankfurt	€750–€1,000/month	€600–€1,400+
Cologne	€650–€850/month	€450–€1,100+
Leipzig / Dresden	€400–€600/month	€300–€800+

These prices include utilities (heating, water, electricity) and usually internet. Always confirm exactly what is included in your Warmmiete before agreeing to anything.

Where to Find a WG in Germany

WG-Gesucht (wg-gesucht.de) — the best platform

WG-Gesucht is by far the most popular WG search platform in Germany. It lists thousands of rooms across every German city and is used by both students and professionals. Create a free profile, upload a photo, write a short introduction about yourself, and start applying. The platform is available in English and German.

Other platforms worth checking

Studenten-WG (studenten-wg.de) — focused on student flatshares, often lower prices
ImmoScout24 (immobilienscout24.de) — Germany’s largest property portal, includes WG rooms
Kleinanzeigen (kleinanzeigen.de) — Germany’s equivalent of Craigslist, many private listings
Facebook Groups — search “WG [city name]” or “Flatshare [city name]” — extremely active in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg
University notice boards — physical boards in university buildings and student canteens (Mensa) often have private listings not found online
Studierendenwerk — the student services organisation at most universities manages affordable student dormitories (Studentenwohnheim). Apply early — waiting lists can be 6–12 months long

How to Write a Winning WG Application

In competitive German cities, a single WG room can attract 50–100 applications. Your message is your first impression — it needs to stand out without being too long. Here is what works:

What to include in your application message

A personal greeting — use the flatmates’ names if listed. “Hi Sarah and Tom” beats “Hello” every time.
Who you are — your name, where you are from, what you do (study/work), and how long you plan to stay.
Why this specific WG — mention something specific about their listing. Generic copy-paste messages are immediately obvious and ignored.
Your lifestyle — are you tidy? Do you cook often? Are you social or do you prefer quiet evenings? Are you a non-smoker?
A short, friendly close — express genuine interest in meeting them and viewing the room.

Keep the message to 150–250 words. Attach a recent photo of yourself — this dramatically increases response rates on WG-Gesucht.

Example application message (template)

Hi [Name(s)],

My name is [Your name], I am [age] years old and originally from [Country]. I am moving to [City] in [Month] to [study/work] at [University/Company] and I am looking for a WG until [timeframe].

Your apartment caught my eye because [specific reason — e.g., the location near the university / the cosy kitchen in the photos / the international atmosphere you described]. I am a tidy, non-smoking person who loves cooking and is happy to share meals occasionally, but also completely respects when flatmates need quiet time.

I would love to come by and see the room — and of course to meet you in person. I am available from [days/times]. Looking forward to hearing from you!

[Your name]

The WG Viewing (Besichtigung)

If your application gets a response, you will be invited to a viewing (Besichtigung). This is essentially a two-way interview — you are checking out the apartment, but the flatmates are also deciding whether they want to live with you. Treat it accordingly.

What to check at the viewing

The size and condition of your room — measure if you plan to bring furniture
Natural light and heating in your room
The condition of the kitchen, bathroom, and shared spaces
How clean and well-maintained the apartment generally is
Internet connection speed — ask if they have a contract and what the speed is
Whether there is a washing machine in the apartment or a shared laundry room in the building (Waschkeller)
Noise levels — is it on a busy street? Near a nightclub?
The existing flatmates — do you get a good feeling? Do your lifestyles seem compatible?

Questions to ask the flatmates

What is included in the Warmmiete? (utilities, internet, any shared subscriptions)
Are there any house rules about cleaning, guests, or quiet hours?
How are shared cleaning duties organised?
Is there a shared fund (WG-Kasse) for household supplies?
Why is the current flatmate leaving?

WG Contracts: What You Need to Know

There are two main contract setups in German WGs — and understanding the difference is critical:

Type 1: You sign directly with the landlord (Hauptmietvertrag)

The safest option. You sign your own rental contract directly with the landlord (Vermieter) for your room. Your rights are fully protected under German tenancy law (Mietrecht). The landlord cannot simply kick you out without following the legal notice period.

Type 2: You sublet from a flatmate (Untermietvertrag)

More common, but riskier. One flatmate holds the main contract with the landlord and sublets to the others. Make sure you have a written subletting contract (Untermietvertrag) — a verbal agreement is not sufficient. Check that the main tenant has permission from the landlord to sublet.

Key contract points to check

Notice period (Kündigungsfrist) — typically 3 months for tenants, sometimes shorter by agreement
Deposit (Kaution) — usually 1–3 months of cold rent (Kaltmiete), paid upfront. Get a written receipt.
What is included in the rent — confirm Warmmiete includes utilities, or get the exact additional costs in writing
Who is responsible for repairs — small repairs under a certain amount are sometimes the tenant’s responsibility (check the exact wording)
Anmeldung permission — your contract or a separate written statement from the landlord must allow you to register your address (Anmeldung). This is your right by law.

Living in a WG: German Flatmate Etiquette

German flatshare culture has some unwritten rules that foreigners are sometimes surprised by. Following them will make your WG experience much more pleasant:

Keep shared spaces clean — this is taken very seriously. Wash up immediately after cooking, clean the bathroom after use, and do not leave personal items in common areas for days.
Respect quiet hours (Ruhezeiten) — in Germany, official quiet hours are typically 10pm–7am and often all day Sunday. Loud music, drilling, and noisy parties outside these times can also upset neighbours and lead to formal complaints.
Discuss, do not assume — if you want to have a guest stay over for several nights, ask your flatmates. If you are going to be unusually loud or messy, give warning.
Contribute to the WG-Kasse — most WGs have a small shared fund for toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and kitchen basics. Contribute your fair share without being asked.
Communicate directly — Germans generally prefer direct, honest communication over passive hints. If something bothers you, say it politely and directly rather than letting it build up.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Sending generic applications — copy-paste messages are immediately recognisable and go straight to the bottom of the pile. Always personalise.
Not having a profile photo — on WG-Gesucht, profiles without photos get significantly fewer responses. Add a friendly, clear photo.
Agreeing to a verbal-only arrangement — always get your agreement in writing, even if it is just an email confirmation of the key terms.
Not checking the Anmeldung situation — some landlords or main tenants illegally refuse to allow Anmeldung. Without it, you cannot open a bank account or do most official processes. Always confirm in writing that you can register.
Ignoring the deposit process — when you move out, document the condition of your room with photos on both move-in and move-out day. This protects your deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find a WG before arriving in Germany?

Yes, but it is difficult. Most WG flatmates want to meet you in person before agreeing. However, video call viewings became much more common after 2020 and are still accepted in many cases — especially for international students. Mention that you are coming from abroad and offer a video call. Some WGs specifically welcome international residents and are flexible about this.

Do I need to speak German to find a WG?

Not necessarily. In large university cities, many WGs are international and operate in English. On WG-Gesucht, you can filter for English-speaking flatshares. Writing your application in both English and basic German (even with Google Translate) shows effort and can help. In smaller cities, German-speaking flatmates are more common.

What is the difference between Warmmiete and Kaltmiete?

Kaltmiete (cold rent) is the base rent for the room only. Warmmiete (warm rent) includes Kaltmiete plus all additional costs — heating, water, building maintenance, and often internet. Always ask for the Warmmiete figure so you know your true monthly cost. Some listings only show Kaltmiete, which can be misleadingly cheap.

How much deposit will I need to pay?

The deposit (Kaution) is legally capped at 3 months of cold rent (Kaltmiete). In practice, most WGs ask for 1–2 months. Pay by bank transfer and keep the receipt. The landlord or main tenant must return your deposit within a reasonable time after you move out (usually 3–6 months), minus any legitimate deductions for damage.

Can I do my Anmeldung if I live in a WG?

Yes — absolutely. You have the legal right to register your address regardless of whether you rent directly from the landlord or sublet from a flatmate. You need a signed Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation form) from whoever holds the main rental contract. If they refuse to provide it, this is illegal under the Bundesmeldegesetz and you can report it to the Meldeamt.

Next Steps

Create a profile on WG-Gesucht with a clear photo and a short introduction about yourself
Set up search alerts for your target city and budget
Use the application template above and personalise it for each listing
Once you have signed a contract and moved in, complete your Anmeldung within 14 days
Open a German bank account to pay rent via direct debit — most landlords require a German IBAN

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