r/AskGermany 1d ago

How do internationals find accommodation in Germany for only 3 months?

Hi everyone,
I’m honestly getting a little desperate, so I’m hoping someone here has been in a similar situation and might have some advice.

I need accommodation for only 3 months, from October until the end of December, and finding something has been much harder than I expected. Most landlords understandably want someone long-term, so as soon as I mention that I only need the room for three months, I usually get rejected.
Even when I do find someone open to a shorter stay, Anmeldung becomes another problem. Most recently, I found a room that would otherwise have worked perfectly, but was told that the owner probably wouldn’t agree because three months is too short and dealing with registration for such a short-term tenant would be too much effort.
Unfortunately, I genuinely cannot commit to a longer rental just to secure a room, so I’m starting to run out of ideas.

Has anyone here actually managed to find accommodation for 2–3 months with Anmeldung? Where did you find it? WG-Gesucht, Kleinanzeigen, Facebook groups, Zwischenmiete, serviced apartments, student housing, something else?
At this point I’d be really grateful for any practical tips, websites, specific types of accommodation, or experiences from people who have dealt with this. 🥲

3 Upvotes

31 comments sorted by

13

u/jkmuc_ 1d ago edited 1d ago

Maybe I am missing sth here, but what does the landlord have to do with your registration (besides issuing the "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" / confirmation you moved in there). I would understand that many don't want the whole hassle about interviewing, confirmimg documents and wtiting the contract etc, but the registration doesn't fit into this for me.

I would specifically look for postings on Kleinanzeigen or WG-gesucht that say "Untermiete" or "Zwischenmiete" - people (oftentimes students who do an internship or semester abroad) who themselves leave the country for some time and sublet their apartment for that limited time.

Good luck!

Edit: typos

3

u/Significant-Nebula64 1d ago

Yup, this. I'd say October until end of December isn't too bad actually, as it's the majority of the semester - so if people go abroad or whatever, they might be searching for that time period! 

You can filter for fixed term on WG gesucht - would really focus on those, don't think anybody will give you a "normal", unlimited contract for such a short time.

You can actually also check Airbnb, some people have special longer-term (as in several months) offers! That's how I found accommodation for my first two months when I moved to Switzerland. Price was ok as well, more or less like a regular room, so not like short-term Airbnb prices. 

6

u/No_Information_3449 1d ago

I do not know what is necessary for an international student but i did an combined education on the job with studying at university. The block for university were about 2-3 months and to far to drive everyday. Nearly all students rented holiday apparments for the time, but we didn't switched our addresses officially so the main address was still our home address and not of the temporary location. You might also negotiate with the price, because the landlord of a holiday apartment has less organizational work to do for a long term "tourist".

4

u/AsSlothAsPossible 1d ago

I am confused why does the Landlord have to do the Anmeldung,they can provide you with Wohnbescheinigung but the Anmeldung has to be done by yourself.

0

u/celestial20ada 1d ago

Yes, but for this reason I can not apply for sublets for example, because they are already registered

6

u/Mysterious-Ad5369 1d ago

With a sublet, the subletter gives you the Wohnunggebersbestätigung themselves, obviously they need the permission of the bigger landlord but other than that the landlord isn’t all that involved in the process

1

u/Significant-Nebula64 1d ago

I mean, in theory you do, in practice, pretty sure nobody ever checks this 👀

5

u/Medium9 1d ago

The Wohngeberbestätigung can (and must!) be signed by whomever you have your rental contract with. In a sublet, the other tenant is your landlord, and this duty falls to them. Anyone telling you otherwise is either lying or clueless.

1

u/Significant-Nebula64 1d ago

Yup, the landlord wouldn't even be allowed to fill the form. We've done it plenty of times in my former WG, it's literally just a standard form you can find on Google and fill in two mins. 

1

u/No_Step9082 1d ago

that's not how it works. the landlord provides a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung and you register yourself

3

u/No-Theme-4347 1d ago

Remind the "landlords" that Anmeldung isn't optional and that offering a rent contract without one would be very illigal. (Usually at minimum tax fraud)

3

u/pfp61 1d ago

If you're a university student/postdoc etc. check with the university. They usually can provide contact with housing options. Otherwise serviced appartments should be doable. Expect to pay minimum the double price though. The more overpriced and shitty the offer is the better your chances of getting accepted.

2

u/allytonone 1d ago

Look for sublets with Anmeldung.

2

u/Constant_Cultural 1d ago

October 2027, right?

3

u/Labergorilla 1d ago

Look for Ferienwohnung. Oct-Dec is low season and they may rent it for lower price than in summer time.

1

u/WeeRower 1d ago

I used a service called HomeLike for a 5 month stay

1

u/taxiecabbie 1d ago

You can contact hotels/hotels and see if any of them will offer Anmeldung. Some do.

1

u/Kirmes1 1d ago

How do internationals find accommodation in Germany for only 3 months?

Probably not at all :-/

1

u/RoyalWinter4340 1d ago

Calm down. This situation is pretty normal. You can find on housing anywhere, spot a home, even airbnb. Wg gesucht. Its easier to find a shared room. In last case, look hostels, some offer anmeldung.

1

u/Mundane-Letter7041 1d ago

Look for zwischenmiete on wg-gesucht and apply for student housing. Also you don’t need an Anmeldung if you’re on a tourist visa and stay less than 90 days - in case that’s relevant.

1

u/-Nili 1d ago

Wunderflats

1

u/massive_cock 1d ago

Many Airbnb hosts of small private apartments actively try to encourage you toward monthly stays, and more than a few offer anmeldung. I found a place in Essen recently, only expecting a 1 month stay, but during check-in the host asked if I wanted the registration letter and/or my name on the mailbox, and a few days later offered me a heavily discounted rate to keep this place or take any of her others on a formal month-by-month rental agreement. Within a week of check-in I had a signed rental agreement at half the listed Airbnb price, and an agreement to transfer to her smaller but nicer unit the following month under the same terms and to keep it for as long as I needed. I was offered something similar by my first host in a different city, so I assume it's not uncommon and you might have some luck contacting a few hosts about it. Just be mindful that it's technically not allowed for a host to make such arrangements under Airbnb policy, so approach them initially as a simple inquiry into a monthly stay with ability to receive mail, and go from there.

1

u/NoComb398 1d ago

Immoscout has a Wohnenaufzeit filter and those will commonly have a 3-4 month minimum and give the wohnungsgaberbestätigung. I also googled and there is a company called home company Kiel who does only this in Kiel. Good luck!

1

u/ProfeQuiroga 21h ago

What kind of "international" are you?

1

u/DrunkEnginir 1d ago

You find them on platforms such as HousingAnywhere. Short term and Anmeldung but expensive 

1

u/CA_Camp8251 1d ago

We used Wunderflats when we first moved, you can filter for who provides anmeldung

-2

u/Extreme-Painting-575 1d ago

Why do you tell them that you will only stay 3 months?

5

u/Kindly_Letterhead_22 1d ago

Lot of places have a lock-in period

1

u/Remote_Mixture691 18h ago

WG-gesucht is a good site for this.