Platforms for finding housing in Germany for Ukrainians

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, a large number of Ukrainians have taken refuge in Germany. However, due to the large flow of migrants, this country is experiencing an acute housing shortage. Find out more about the pitfalls of renting an apartment and the most popular platforms for finding accommodation in Germany

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Germany is currently experiencing an acute housing shortage, which is why rental prices are reaching record highs (for example, prices for a standard one-room flat in Berlin as of September 2025 start at €700). Finding a vacant flat with good conditions is a real challenge.

Most Germans live in rented flats for years, without even planning to buy their own home. Therefore, finding a flat can be a real quest for Ukrainians.

We will tell you about the pitfalls of renting an apartment in Germany and popular platforms for finding accommodation.

Not sure how to proceed in your situation? Contact the solicitors at Visit Ukraine and get answers to all your questions!

Features of renting accommodation in Germany

In Germany, legislation is largely focused on protecting the rights of tenants, so landlords are very careful when choosing who to rent their property to. Short-term rentals for one month are practically impossible — long-term rentals are given unconditional preference. The rental cost consists of two parts: the monthly rent (Kaltmiete) and the utility prepayment (Nebenkosten).

Most landlords require a deposit equal to three months' rent, which is held in a special account. This deposit serves as ‘insurance’ against possible damage to the property. Tenants must also give three months' notice of their decision to move out before the planned date of departure. If they fail to do so, they will have to continue paying rent and utilities for that period, even if the flat is already empty.

Housing in Germany is divided into flats (Wohnung) and houses (Haus). When browsing rental ads, you may come across different types of housing, such as Maisonette-Wohnung (two-storey flat), Souterrain-Wohnung (basement flat), Penthouse-Wohnung (apartment on the top floor with its own terrace), Loft-Wohnung (large apartments), Appartement (ordinary apartments), and Altbauwohnung (apartment in an old building).

What details should you pay attention to when renting accommodation in Germany? Read more at the link.

How can Ukrainians rent accommodation in Germany on their own?

To rent an apartment in Germany, you need to provide your salary statements for the last 3-6 months. It is important that this is official employment in Germany. The rent cannot exceed one third of your total income. If your salary is not enough to rent accommodation, you can find a guarantor who will act as a so-called guarantor when signing the rental agreement.

If you receive social assistance from the state, unemployment benefits or other benefits, it is worth obtaining a Wohnberechtigungsschein or confirmation of receiving a subsidy from the state Wohngeld in advance. In this case, state institutions (Jobcenter, Sozialamt, Wohnungsamt, etc.) will act as guarantors.

Documents required for renting accommodation in Germany

1. Valid passport with information on your residence status in Germany;

2. Registration at your place of residence (Meldebescheinigung);

3. Credit report from Schufa (Schufa-Auskunft);

4. Document entitling you to social housing (Wohnberechtigungsschein);

5. Certificate of no rent arrears (Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung);

6. Proof of income in Germany (payslip or confirmation of payments from Jobcenter/Sozialamt, etc.);

7. Confirmation from Jobcenter/Sozialamt regarding payment for housing (will need to be provided when agreeing the tenancy agreement with the landlord).

Popular platforms for renting accommodation in Germany

Every city in Germany has its own companies that help Ukrainians with renting accommodation. In fact, a new city = a new company/several companies. At the same time, Ukrainians who receive social benefits must apply to a special employment centre, while employed migrants can rent accommodation independently.

Persons who are eligible for social assistance must obtain a special document from the employment centre, which specifies the square footage of the accommodation, its cost, etc. The current square footage requirements are as follows:

– for 1 person – 50 sq. m.;

– for 2 people – 65 sq. m.;

– for 3 people – 80 sq. m.;

– for 4 people – 95 sq. m.;

– for families of more than 5 people – + 15 sq. m. per person.

Important! Information about the square footage of the apartment must be verified at the service centre in your city.

It should be noted that there are two types of apartment payments:

– Kalt Mitte (‘cold fee’) – payment for housing without taking into account the heating season;

– Warm Mitte (“hot fee”) – payment for housing including the heating season (determined as the arithmetic mean per year).

Follow the link to find out how much utilities cost in Germany.

If you have the opportunity to sign a contract with a landlord without an intermediary, you can use the following websites:

1. Wohnungsboerse.net. On this platform, you can create your own profile with a description of your desired accommodation. It is also worth indicating in your profile whether you have children, pets, your family status, special conditions, etc.;

2. Immobilienscout24.de. A popular website for finding flats. You can also create your own profile, and landlords will offer you options themselves. You can set filters by price, area or number of rooms, which will make your search for accommodation even more convenient.

3. Immowelt.de. A popular platform for finding flats or houses in small towns in Germany without real estate agent commissions.

4. Immonet.de. On this website, you can calculate the approximate cost of housing using a special calculator, as well as view video tours of houses and read reviews from previous tenants.

5. Wg-gesucht.de. One of the largest services for finding accommodation in Germany. You can find an apartment and submit a request to search for accommodation with all the necessary characteristics;

6. Tempoflat.de. This platform is convenient for searching for accommodation in large German cities thanks to an interactive map for finding offers nearby.

7. Unterkunft-ukraine.de. Designed to find temporary free accommodation for Ukrainian refugees.

8. Wunderflats. A service for finding temporary accommodation for migrants from Ukraine, with both free and paid offers available.

9. Nena-apartments.de. This platform is designed for renting accommodation in a hostel with its own kitchenette, free internet, towels and bed linen.

10. Help.tasso. A very convenient platform for tenants with pets. On the website, you can fill out a questionnaire about yourself and your pets, and then landlords will contact you themselves.

The cost of renting accommodation in Germany – on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Federal programme to find housing for Ukrainian refugees in Germany

The German government has announced the launch of an online platform where refugees from Ukraine can choose housing options and submit their applications. The website is available in two languages, Ukrainian and Russian.

Ukrainians who have been forced to flee the war can submit an application on the project page helfendewaende.de. On the website, you can search for accommodation and submit applications, track the status of all applications, exchange contacts and agree on details before moving in. You can even find options for free accommodation.

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Important details about renting accommodation in Germany

1. There are companies that offer accommodation search services only offline — without any online communication with clients. Such companies operate completely officially — do not be afraid to work with them.

2. Look for apartment rental ads in local print media as well — newspapers are sold at train stations and Toto-Lotto kiosks.

3. If you are looking for an apartment online, we recommend saving your search criteria on the website and checking your account several times a day. If you see an offer, respond immediately! There are cases when it is available for no more than a few hours.

3. Read the advertisement carefully – unlike in Ukraine, companies often rent out unfurnished flats.

Reminder! If you have any questions or difficulties at any stage of the migration process, please contact the specialists of the legal department for advice. Professional assistance guarantees your peace of mind when searching for accommodation, preparing a package of documents and concluding a lease agreement.

Photo: generated by Gemini

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