Accommodation (short and long term)

The first choice for most international students is living in a student dormitory (Studierendenwohnheim). Facts you need to know: 

• Only enrolled students may live in student dormitories.
• Single room prices in dormitories range from 250 EUR to 600 EUR depending on size, modernization state and private/shared facilities, but also on the extent of subsidy by state, church or other organizations.
• The largest dormitory provider affiliated with the university is the Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim. They provide a list of other dormitories on their website and an online website with private room offers. The Studierendenwerk offers full semester contracts only.
• Private dormitories may be more expensive but may offer shorter contracts or better cancellation terms.
• The length of rental contract may depend on a rotation principle e.g. applied to the length of study for master or doctoral students.
• Some groups may be prioritized.
• Moving in and moving out is usually only possible Monday to Friday.
• Halls of residence for couples and families – Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim: 
  Halls of residence for couples and families (in Tübingen) - Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim (my-stuwe.de) 
  Professor-Rebel-Haus Studentenwohnheim e.V. Tübingen
• Basically, the number of applicants is much higher than the number of available dormitory rooms!  
  Do not count on receiving a room but actively search for a private room as well!
• For information and help with searching for a private room, please contact your personal support.

Another way to save on housing costs is to share a flat (search term: Wohngemeinschaften, WGs). This is the most common form of housing while studying. These are flats shared between two or more people, with a common kitchen and bathroom. Everyone usually has their own room. Things you need to know:

• In addition to rent, you must take into account the damage deposit, which you must pay to the landlord at the beginning of the rental period. It is usually 2-3 times the cold rent. If nothing needs to be repaired or replaced, the deposit will be returned after you move out.  
• A furnished room in a WG is usually only for temporary stays of a few months up to one year. 
• If you find an unfurnished room, there are local websites for free or used furniture, or you can have new furniture delivered, depending on your financial situation. 
• Online ads for WG rooms receive a lot of responses in Tübingen. WGs usually contact students they are interested in, but do not respond to those who are not considered – do not take this personally! 
• We recommend you place a search ad, that introduces yourself and explains how WG roommates could benefit from living with you (e.g. shared hobbies or interests). 
• If you don't want to become friends with your roommates or share free time with them, you should look for a "Zweck-WG". The only reason for living together in this type of WG is to lower the rent and not for social purposes. 
• It is important that you apply to more than one WG. Do not stop at the first one that appeals to you and wait to see if you get the room!

Once you have a room offer in a WG you need to react quickly – but not without ensuring that the room is not a scam! Scammers try to get money and/or personal details from you, such as scans of passports etc. 

Your rental contract will either be limited to a specific time or be unlimited. Most unlimited rental contracts have a 3- month notice period to cancel the contract. The WG may allow you to search for a new occupant who can move in earlier. But this would have to be negotiated with your roommates/landlord.

Please contact your personal support if you have any further questions. 
 

If you prefer to live on your own, you will have to spend a little bit more. Here are a few things you will need to know: 

• Most flats are unfurnished
• Furnished flats are more expensive 
• Please see the List of Abbreviations for information on extra costs, such as Kaltmiete/Warmmiete 
• Flats within Tübingen are more expensive and harder to find than in the surrounding villages 
  (see Neighborhoods and Outskirts) 
• Not all landlords/landladies speak English. You may want to ask a German colleague or friend to assist you when you view an apartment. 
• Enrolled students are entitled to free legal advice from the Studierendenwerk. We recommend that researchers and guests consider a membership with the Deutscher Mieterbund, an association that helps tenants with any problem related to rental contracts, handing over the apartment at the beginning or end of the contract, additional expenses, etc. 

We cannot provide legal advice but can help you if you have communication difficulties with your landlord. Please contact your personal support if you have any further questions.