The Smart Expat’s Guide to Serviced Apartments in Germany: Your Bridge to Permanent Housing

Moving to Germany without a permanent address creates a classic catch-22: you need an address to register with authorities, but landlords want to see your registration before renting to you. This is where serviced apartments become your secret weapon.

Rather than rushing into a long-term lease from abroad or spending weeks in an expensive hotel, savvy expats use serviced apartments as a strategic launchpad. Here’s how to do it right.

Why Serviced Apartments Are Essential for New Arrivals

The Anmeldung Problem

Within 14 days of arriving in Germany, you must register your address at the local Bürgeramt. Without this registration, you can’t open a bank account, get health insurance, or complete your residence permit application. But getting a long-term apartment from overseas is nearly impossible—landlords want to meet you, see your German credit report (SCHUFA), and verify your employment.

Serviced apartments solve this by providing:

Immediate registration capability (most provide Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
Flexible booking from your home country
No SCHUFA or extensive documentation required
Time to apartment hunt properly while already in Germany
Fully furnished spaces so you’re not sleeping on the floor

The Strategic Timeline

Most successful expats follow this pattern:

Weeks 1-4: Serviced apartment while completing registration and opening bank accounts
Weeks 2-8: Intensive apartment hunting with in-person viewings
Week 6-12: Transition to permanent apartment

This approach lets you handle bureaucracy first, then focus on finding the right permanent home without pressure.

The Two-Phase Strategy: Short-Term First, Then Extend if Needed

Phase 1: The First Month (Research & Registration)

Book 3-4 weeks initially. This gives you time to:

Complete your Anmeldung registration
Open a German bank account
Get your tax ID
Set up health insurance
Explore neighborhoods in person
Start apartment viewings

Phase 2: Extension Period (If Needed)

If you haven’t secured permanent housing by week 3, extend your serviced apartment for another 2-4 weeks. Most platforms allow extensions, though rates may vary.

Don’t panic if apartment hunting takes longer than expected—in cities like Munich or Berlin, 2-3 months is normal.

Platform Breakdown: Where to Book From Your Home Country

Premium Platforms (Easy Booking, Higher Cost)

1. Spotahome

Best for: Mid-term stays (1-12 months)
Coverage: Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart
What makes it special: Video tours of every property, verified listings, no in-person viewing needed
Booking from abroad: ✓ Excellent
Anmeldung support: Yes, most properties provide registration
Price range: €800-2,000/month for studios/1-beds
Website: spotahome.com
Payment: Credit card, first month + deposit upfront
Cancellation: Varies by property, typically moderate flexibility
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2. HousingAnywhere

Best for: Students and young professionals (1-12 months)
Coverage: All major German cities
What makes it special: Secure payment system, large student housing inventory
Booking from abroad: ✓ Excellent
Anmeldung support: Most properties, confirm with landlord
Price range: €600-1,500/month
Website: housinganywhere.com
Payment: Monthly rent through platform
Cancellation: Flexible cancellation up to 48 hours after booking

3. Homelike

Best for: Business travelers and expats (1-6 months)
Coverage: Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Düsseldorf
What makes it special: Corporate housing focus, consistent quality standards
Booking from abroad: ✓ Excellent
Anmeldung support: Yes
Price range: €1,200-3,000/month
Website: thehomelike.com
Payment: Credit card, monthly billing available
Cancellation: Flexible options with some plans

4. Nestpick

Best for: Mid to long-term furnished rentals (1-12+ months)
Coverage: Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg
What makes it special: Premium apartments, concierge service
Booking from abroad: ✓ Excellent
Anmeldung support: Yes
Price range: €1,000-2,500/month
Website: nestpick.com
Payment: Credit card or bank transfer
Cancellation: Varies, often flexible for first month

5. Airbnb

Best for: Very short stays (1-30 days)
Coverage: Everywhere in Germany
What makes it special: Widest selection, instant booking
Booking from abroad: ✓ Excellent
Anmeldung support: ⚠️ Inconsistent – many hosts refuse registration for short stays
Price range: €50-200/night (€1,500-6,000/month)
Website: airbnb.com
Payment: Credit card
Cancellation: Varies widely by host
Warning: Expensive for stays over 2 weeks; registration often problematic

Budget-Friendly Options

6. Wunderflats

Best for: Affordable furnished apartments (1-12 months)
Coverage: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne
What makes it special: More affordable than premium platforms, good local selection
Booking from abroad: ✓ Good
Anmeldung support: Yes
Price range: €700-1,800/month
Website: wunderflats.com
Payment: Credit card or SEPA
Cancellation: Moderate flexibility

7. Booking.com (Aparthotels & Long-Stay Properties)

Best for: First 1-2 weeks only
Coverage: Everywhere
What makes it special: Familiar platform, easy booking, good for initial landing
Booking from abroad: ✓ Excellent
Anmeldung support: ✗ No – hotels cannot provide registration
Price range: €60-150/night
Website: booking.com
Use case: Book 1-2 weeks here, then move to a proper serviced apartment
Not recommended for longer stays: Too expensive, no registration possible

8. Uniplaces

Best for: Students (3-12 months)
Coverage: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg
What makes it special: Student-focused, affordable, near universities
Booking from abroad: ✓ Good
Anmeldung support: Usually yes
Price range: €500-1,200/month
Website: uniplaces.com

German-Specific Platforms

9. Immobilienscout24 (Serviced Apartment Section)

Best for: Direct bookings with local providers
Coverage: All Germany
What makes it special: Direct contact with German landlords, no platform fees
Booking from abroad: ⚠️ Moderate – requires German language skills
Anmeldung support: Yes
Price range: €800-2,000/month
Website: immobilienscout24.de
Challenge: Mostly in German, landlords expect German communication

10. City-Wohnen

Best for: Furnished apartments, especially in smaller cities
Coverage: Nationwide network
What makes it special: Established German company, reliable
Booking from abroad: ✓ Good (English support available)
Anmeldung support: Yes
Price range: €900-2,200/month
Website: city-wohnen.de

11. Mr. Lodge

Best for: Premium furnished apartments (1-24 months)
Coverage: Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg
What makes it special: Luxury focus, exceptional service
Booking from abroad: ✓ Excellent
Anmeldung support: Yes
Price range: €1,500-4,000/month
Website: mrlodge.com
Best for: Corporate relocations and higher budgets

12. Coming Home

Best for: Corporate housing (1-12 months)
Coverage: Major cities
What makes it special: Full relocation support
Booking from abroad: ✓ Excellent
Anmeldung support: Yes, plus assistance
Price range: €1,200-3,500/month
Website: cominghome.de

Shared Apartment Platforms (Budget Option)

13. WG-Gesucht

Best for: Temporary rooms in shared apartments (Zwischenmiete)
Coverage: Everywhere
What makes it special: Cheapest option, meet locals
Booking from abroad: ⚠️ Difficult – most want in-person meetings
Anmeldung support: Usually yes
Price range: €400-900/month for a room
Website: wg-gesucht.de
Strategy: Useful after arrival, harder to secure from abroad

City-Specific Recommendations

Berlin

Best platforms: Spotahome, HousingAnywhere, Wunderflats
Average cost: €900-1,500/month for 1-bed
Tip: Focus on neighborhoods like Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, or Prenzlauer Berg for expat-friendly areas

Munich

Best platforms: Mr. Lodge, Homelike, Nestpick
Average cost: €1,200-2,200/month (most expensive city)
Tip: Book 2+ months given Munich’s extreme housing shortage

Frankfurt

Best platforms: Homelike, Coming Home, City-Wohnen
Average cost: €1,000-1,800/month
Tip: Many corporate housing options due to banking sector

Hamburg

Best platforms: Spotahome, Wunderflats, HousingAnywhere
Average cost: €900-1,600/month
Tip: Look in Eimsbüttel or Altona for good access to city center

Cologne

Best platforms: Spotahome, Wunderflats
Average cost: €800-1,400/month
Tip: More affordable than Munich/Frankfurt with good availability

The Booking Process: Step-by-Step

6-8 Weeks Before Arrival

Research neighborhoods in your target city (use Google Maps, YouTube, Reddit)
Set your budget: Expect to pay 30-50% more than long-term apartments
Choose 2-3 platforms based on your budget and city
Create accounts and verify your identity on chosen platforms

4-6 Weeks Before Arrival

Start browsing listings that match your criteria
Check Anmeldung capability – message landlords to confirm they provide registration documents
Read reviews carefully – look for mentions of registration, cleanliness, and location accuracy
Contact properties with questions before booking

2-4 Weeks Before Arrival

Book your apartment – aim for arrival day + 3-4 weeks initially
Request Wohnungsgeberbestätigung confirmation in writing
Get exact address for your visa documents if needed
Arrange key pickup/check-in process details
Pay deposit and first month (keep all receipts)

Upon Arrival

Document apartment condition with photos/video
Get your Wohnungsgeberbestätigung immediately from landlord
Book Bürgeramt appointment for registration (often done same week)

Critical Questions to Ask Before Booking

About Registration:

“Can you provide Wohnungsgeberbestätigung for Anmeldung?”
“Have previous tenants successfully registered at this address?”
“How quickly can I get the registration document after arrival?”

About the Apartment:

“Are all utilities included in the price?” (heating can be expensive)
“Is internet included and what’s the speed?”
“What’s included in the furnishing?” (bedding, kitchen equipment, etc.)

About Flexibility:

“Can I extend month-to-month if needed?”
“What’s the notice period if I find permanent housing?”
“What’s the cancellation policy?”

About Additional Costs:

“Are there any extra fees beyond monthly rent?” (cleaning, service fees)
“What’s the deposit and when is it returned?”
“Is there a registration or booking fee?”

Cost Breakdown: What to Expect

Budget Option (Shared Room/Basic Apartment)

Monthly rent: €500-900
Deposit: €500-900 (one month)
Booking fee: €0-100
Total first month: €1,000-1,900

Mid-Range (Studio/1-Bed Apartment)

Monthly rent: €900-1,500
Deposit: €900-1,500
Booking fee: €100-200
Total first month: €1,900-3,200

Premium (Serviced 1-2 Bed with Services)

Monthly rent: €1,500-3,000
Deposit: €1,500-3,000
Booking fee: €200-400
Total first month: €3,200-6,400

Hidden Costs to Budget For:

City transit pass: €50-100/month
Food and basics: €300-500/month
Phone/SIM card: €15-40/month
Initial household items: €100-300
Health insurance: €100-200/month (if not through employer yet)

Red Flags to Avoid

Scam Warning Signs:

Landlord asks for payment outside the platform
“Too good to be true” prices (€500 for a luxury 2-bed in Munich = scam)
Landlord claims to be abroad and can’t meet you
Requests for wire transfers or cryptocurrency
No video tour or photos look stolen from other listings
Refuses to provide registration documents

Quality Issues:

No reviews or only 1-2 reviews
Photos don’t match the description
Location seems far from public transit (check Google Maps)
Landlord is unresponsive or vague about details
Very negative reviews about cleanliness or safety

Transition Strategy: From Serviced to Permanent Housing

Week 1-2: Complete Bureaucracy Focus entirely on registration, bank account, and settling in. Don’t rush apartment hunting yet.

Week 2-4: Intense Apartment Hunting

Schedule 5-10 viewings per week
Prepare your application package (see below)
Join Facebook expat groups for leads
Use ImmobilienScout24, WG-Gesucht for permanent housing

Week 4-8: Secure & Transition

Apply to multiple apartments simultaneously
Sign lease and give notice to serviced apartment
Arrange move and update registration

Your Application Package Should Include:

Copy of passport/ID
Employment contract or proof of income
SCHUFA report (order online at meineschufa.de)
Mieterselbstauskunft (tenant disclosure form)
Previous landlord reference (serviced apartment can provide)
Anmeldung confirmation

Money-Saving Tips

1. Book Longer Initially Many platforms offer discounts for 2+ month bookings. If you book 8 weeks instead of 4, you often get 10-15% off.

2. Look Outside the City Center Neighborhoods 20-30 minutes from downtown can be 30% cheaper. As long as you’re near the S-Bahn or U-Bahn, commuting is easy.

3. Consider a Shared Apartment First Renting a room in a WG (shared flat) for your first month can save €300-500 while you get your bearings.

4. Avoid Airbnb for 2+ Weeks Airbnb’s nightly rates become extremely expensive. After week 2, monthly platforms are half the cost.

5. Negotiate Extensions If extending, ask for a discount. Many landlords prefer keeping you over finding a new tenant.

6. Book Slightly Outside Peak Season September (new academic year) and January (New Year relocations) are most expensive. May-July tend to have better availability.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Booking Too Short Don’t book just 2 weeks thinking you’ll find permanent housing immediately. Give yourself at least 4 weeks.

Mistake #2: Skipping the Anmeldung Check Always confirm in writing that registration is possible. Some Airbnb hosts and serviced apartments won’t provide it.

Mistake #3: Paying Outside the Platform Never wire money directly or pay cash before arrival. Use platform payment systems for protection.

Mistake #4: Not Reading the Cancellation Policy Plans change. Make sure you can cancel or modify if your visa is delayed or job falls through.

Mistake #5: Forgetting About De-Registration When you move to permanent housing, you must de-register from your serviced apartment address and re-register at the new one.

Platform Comparison at a Glance

Platform	Best For	Booking Ease	Anmeldung	Price Range
Spotahome	Mid-term stays	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	✓ Yes	€€€
HousingAnywhere	Students/young pros	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	✓ Usually	€€
Homelike	Business/corporate	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	✓ Yes	€€€€
Wunderflats	Budget-conscious	⭐⭐⭐⭐	✓ Yes	€€
Airbnb	1-2 weeks only	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	✗ Rarely	€€€€
Mr. Lodge	Premium/luxury	⭐⭐⭐⭐	✓ Yes	€€€€€
WG-Gesucht	Budget rooms	⭐⭐ (from abroad)	✓ Usually	€

Final Recommendations by Profile

Students (Limited Budget): Start with: HousingAnywhere, Uniplaces, or WG-Gesucht Budget: €600-1,000/month

Young Professionals: Start with: Spotahome, Wunderflats, or HousingAnywhere Budget: €900-1,500/month

Corporate Relocations: Start with: Homelike, Mr. Lodge, or Coming Home Budget: €1,500-3,000/month

Families: Start with: Nestpick, Mr. Lodge, or City-Wohnen Budget: €1,800-3,500/month

First Week Landing Only: Start with: Booking.com or Airbnb (then move to proper serviced apartment) Budget: €400-800 for first week

The Bottom Line

Serviced apartments aren’t just convenient—they’re strategic. They give you the time and stability to handle German bureaucracy properly and find permanent housing without desperation.

Yes, you’ll pay 30-50% more than a regular apartment. But consider it an investment: it buys you peace of mind, legal registration, and the freedom to find the right long-term home rather than settling for the first place that accepts you.

Book from your home country, arrive with a plan, and use your serviced apartment as the launchpad it’s meant to be. Within 2-3 months, you’ll be settled in permanent housing with all your paperwork sorted.

The expats who struggle most are those who try to do everything at once. The ones who succeed give themselves breathing room—and that starts with a good serviced apartment.

Pro Tip: Join Facebook groups like “Expats in [Your City]” and “[Your City] Apartment Search” before arriving. They’re goldmines for housing tips, scam warnings, and sometimes direct leads on apartments that never make it to public listings.

Resource Checklist for Booking:

✓ Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
✓ Credit card for deposits
✓ Proof of employment or university admission
✓ Budget for first month + deposit (typically 2x monthly rent)
✓ Verified accounts on 2-3 booking platforms
✓ Clear dates (arrival + initial stay length)

Start your search 6-8 weeks before arrival, book 3-4 weeks before, and arrive ready to hit the ground running.

Frequently Asked Questions About Serviced Apartments in Germany

Are serviced apartments available for Anmeldung in Germany?

Yes — but it depends on the provider.

Not all serviced apartments allow Anmeldung (address registration). To register your address in Germany, you must receive a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation form). Some serviced apartment providers issue this document, while others operate as temporary accommodation only.

Before booking, always confirm:

Does the apartment allow official address registration?
Will they provide a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung?
Is the rental contract suitable for local registration?

If Anmeldung is required for your relocation, confirm this in writing before signing.

How long can you stay in serviced apartments in Germany?

Serviced apartments are typically available for:

Short-term stays (1–3 months)
Mid-term stays (3–6 months)
Extended stays (6+ months)

Many expats use serviced apartments as a temporary solution while searching for long-term housing. Some providers offer discounted rates for longer stays.

However, local rules may vary depending on the city and property type.

Are serviced apartments cheaper than hotels in Germany?

In most cases, yes — especially for stays longer than two weeks.

Serviced apartments often include:

Kitchen facilities
Utilities
Internet
Cleaning services

For relocations lasting one month or more, serviced apartments are typically more cost-effective than hotels and provide better living comfort.

However, compared to traditional long-term rentals, serviced apartments are usually more expensive.

They are best viewed as a flexible temporary solution during relocation.

Serviced Apartments Germany: Complete Booking Strategy for Expats 2026