When studying vocational training in Germany, finding suitable accommodation is an important step to help you quickly stabilize your life and focus on studying. Depending on your needs and financial capacity, international students can choose dormitories, rent private apartments or share rooms. Each option offers different experiences, with its own advantages and disadvantages. So what is the best option? Let's SHD Academy Explore the types in detail housing in Germany for international students in the article below!

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Popular types of housing in Germany for international students 

International students in Germany have many accommodation options to suit their needs and personal budget. Each type offers different experiences, helping you quickly integrate into your new life when studying a vocational course in Germany.

Student dormitory (Studentenwohnheim)

Dormitories are the type of housing in Germany that many international students choose. especially freshmen. According to the experience shared by many previous international students, Germany currently has more than 196,000 dormitory spaces nationwide, allocated on a “first-come, first-served” basis.

Advantage:

• Low rental costs: Compared to other types of accommodation in Germany, the cost of renting a dormitory is very affordable, helping to reduce the financial burden for international students. The rent of a dormitory room usually ranges from 150 - 300 Euro/month (about 4.2 - 8.3 million VND)., depending on the city you live in, the area and the quality of the furniture inside.
• Convenient location and amenities: Most student dormitories are located near the school. school or city center, convenient for students to travel every day, helping to save time and travel costs. Dormitories for international students are often clean, modernly designed and fully equipped with basic amenities.
• Cultural exchange opportunities: Living in a student dormitory makes it easy for international students to meet and make friends with many other students, providing a great opportunity to exchange and learn culture from international friends.

Disadvantages:

• High demand: About 40% international students choose to stay in dormitories, especially in schools in big cities. However, the number of dormitory rooms is limited, so finding accommodation can be difficult, international students need to Register early as soon as you are notified of admission.
• Common space: The kitchen and bathroom are areas must be shared with other students. Therefore, international students must have flexibility in time and adaptability. and the spirit of sharing with everyone.
• Unable to select roommate: Room assignments are random, which can put you with people who have different lifestyles and habits, sometimes making it difficult to get along.

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Rent a private apartment (Wohnung)

For those who prefer a comfortable and free living space, renting a private apartment is a perfect choice. However, this type of housing in Germany has quite high rental costs, especially in big cities, so it is only suitable for international students with a stable income from part-time jobs.

Advantage:

• Have private space and freedom of time: Renting a private apartment will not be bound by the general regulations of dormitories or shared apartments. This helps international students easily manage their time in their own way, live comfortably and maintain their living habits without affecting others.
• Customize your apartment to your liking: When renting a private apartment, international students will have full control over their living space, freely arranging and decorating the room according to their preferences.

Disadvantages:

• High cost: Renting a private apartment is usually quite high, averaging 400 - 700 Euro/month (about 11 - 20 million VND), depending on the city, location and size of the apartment. Not only that, international students will have to take care of all the expenses themselves. living costs in Germany for international students related costs such as electricity, water, internet and maintenance costs.
• Legal troubles: More paperwork than usual is required when renting a private apartment, including proof of income and a guarantor. Furthermore, language barriers can also make it more difficult to negotiate rental agreements between international students and landlords.

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Living together (WG – Wohngemeinschaft)

Apartment building or Wohngemeinschaft – WG, is a very popular form of housing in Germany, allows you to share rent costs with roommates. In a WG there will usually be private bedrooms and shared common spaces such as living room, kitchen and bathroom with others.

Advantage:

• Cost savings: Living with others will help international students save significantly on rent and other living expenses. According to shared experiences in finding housing for international students in Germany, the average cost of this type of housing in Germany is usually ranges from 200 - 400 Euro/month (about 5.6 - 11 million VND), depending on city and location.
• Environment for practicing foreign languages: Living with friends from many countries helps international students expand their relationships, while improving communication skills and practicing German every day.

Disadvantages:

• Limited personal space: Even though they have their own room, international students still have to share common space with others, which can affect their privacy.
• Differences in lifestyle: Differences in culture and living habits among members can easily lead to conflicts if there is no understanding and flexibility in communication.

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Compare dormitories and housing for international students in Germany 

To choose the right accommodation for yourself, you can refer to the comparison table between dormitories and housing for international students in Germany below:

So should international students stay in dormitories or rent a house in Germany? According to the experiences of many former international students in finding a house for studying in Germany, you should choose to stay in a student dormitory.. Although not as convenient as a private apartment or a shared apartment, low cost and location near school help International students save on monthly expenses, from transportation costs to other expenses such as electricity, water, internet, etc. Moreover, living near the school makes it easy for you to borrow books and study whenever needed.

It can be seen that finding a house in Germany is not simple, especially for new international students who have just come to Germany to study a profession. New international students are not yet familiar with the paperwork and administrative procedures, so making a rental contract and registering for services will be very difficult. 

But if you are a student of SHD Academy then don't worry about Expenses for studying in German vocational training. As soon as they arrive in Germany, students will be picked up by SHD's partners as soon as they get off the plane, helping to arrange accommodation near the school, with full amenities and at a reasonable cost. In particular, students also receive support from cooperating businesses, helping to reduce the cost of renting a house to only 180 - 200 Euro/month (about 4.8 - 5.3 million VND). With support from SHD Academy, you can rest assured to settle down, focus on studying and enjoy your study abroad journey in Germany to the fullest!

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Notes for international students when renting a house in Germany 

When renting a house in Germany, international students need to note the following important things:

• Before signing the contract, make sure you understand the terms regarding your rights and responsibilities as well as those of the landlord. Contracts are usually written in German, so if you are not fluent in the language, ask a native speaker or friend for help.
• Check the condition of the apartment carefully before signing the contract, make sure there is no major damage. If you find any problems, you should notify the landlord immediately to avoid having your deposit deducted later.
• In addition to rent, you also need to consider other costs such as electricity, water, internet, etc. Ask the landlord clearly about these costs before signing the contract to avoid additional costs. 
• Do not rent a house too far from the city center or in remote areas to save money. Inconvenient transportation not only affects your studies but can also cause you to be unsafe.
• After moving into your new home, you need to register your address with the local authorities within 2 weeks. In addition, you must also register this address with services such as electricity, internet, mailbox and insurance for household items. 

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The selection housing in Germany is one of the most important steps in the journey of studying abroad in this beautiful country. Hopefully with these Share experiences in finding housing for international students in Germany The above can help you easily find the best accommodation that suits your needs, preferences and finances. If you need more information about vocational study abroad programs or advice about German vocational study itinerary, please contact us immediately SHD Academy Call hotline 0336 760 276 for detailed support!