Free check
Back to checklist
6 min read

Reserving provisional accommodation before you arrive

Finding a long-term flat in Germany is competitive and slow, and you cannot complete your mandatory address registration (Anmeldung) without a real address and a landlord's confirmation. The practical solution is to line up provisional accommodation, a furnished or serviced apartment, or a sublet (Zwischenmiete), for your first weeks. The catch is that you need a place whose owner will give you the Wohnungsgeberbestaetigung, the confirmation document required for Anmeldung. The rental market also attracts scammers who target newcomers, so knowing the warning signs protects your money and your move.

Does this apply to you? Skip if your employer or a relocation agency arranges housing.

Why you need temporary housing first

Securing a permanent unfurnished flat from abroad is hard: viewings are in person, landlords want a Schufa credit record and proof of German income, and demand far exceeds supply in big cities. Trying to do everything before you land usually fails. The realistic approach is to book temporary accommodation for your first few weeks or months, get on the ground, register your address, open your bank account, and then hunt for a long-term home with local credibility.

Temporary options include furnished apartments and serviced/aparthotel-style flats aimed at relocators, and Zwischenmiete (interim subletting), where you take over someone's flat or a room while they are away. Each can work well, provided one condition is met.

The Wohnungsgeberbestaetigung and Anmeldung

By law you must register your address (Anmeldung) at the local registration office (Buergeramt/Einwohnermeldeamt), generally within 14 days of moving in. For that appointment you need your passport and a Wohnungsgeberbestaetigung (also called Einzugsbestaetigung or Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung), a confirmation signed by your landlord or accommodation provider stating that you have moved in and from when. This has been mandatory since 2015 and is separate from the rental contract.

This is the make-or-break detail when choosing temporary housing: before you book, confirm in writing that the provider will issue a Wohnungsgeberbestaetigung so you can register there. Many hotels, hostels, and informal sublets will NOT provide one, which leaves you unable to do your Anmeldung, and without Anmeldung you cannot easily get your tax ID, finalise some bank accounts, or complete your residence permit. For a sublet, also ensure the main tenant has the owner's permission to sublet, since unauthorised subletting can void the arrangement.

Costs, platforms, and avoiding scams

Furnished and serviced temporary apartments cost more per month than long-term unfurnished flats, but they save you the deposit, furniture, and uncertainty during your first weeks. Use reputable platforms: Wunderflats and HousingAnywhere specialise in registration-ready furnished rentals, while WG-Gesucht is the standard for shared flats and sublets. ImmobilienScout24 and Kleinanzeigen are widely used but require more vigilance.

Scammers specifically target internationals who do not yet know the local rules. Classic red flags: a beautiful central flat at an unrealistically low price, a 'landlord' who is conveniently abroad and cannot show you the place, pressure to pay a deposit or rent via wire transfer, money-transfer services, or to a third party before you have seen the apartment or signed anything, and requests routed through fake escrow or 'key delivery' services. Never pay before a viewing and a signed contract, verify the owner's identity and authority, and keep all payments traceable through your bank. If it feels too good to be true, it is.

How to do it
  1. 1Book temporary, furnished, or serviced accommodation (or an authorised Zwischenmiete sublet) for your first weeks before you arrive.
  2. 2Before paying, get written confirmation that the provider will issue a Wohnungsgeberbestaetigung so you can do your Anmeldung there.
  3. 3For sublets, verify the main tenant has the owner's permission to sublet.
  4. 4Use reputable platforms (Wunderflats, HousingAnywhere, WG-Gesucht) and reputable serviced-apartment providers.
  5. 5Never pay a deposit or rent before a viewing and a signed contract; keep all payments traceable through your bank.
  6. 6After moving in, register your address (Anmeldung) within 14 days using your passport and the Wohnungsgeberbestaetigung.
  7. 7Once registered and settled, begin searching for long-term housing with local credibility.
Official sources and further reading

General information for expats in Germany, not individual advice. Rules and figures change; verify against the official sources above and your own situation.

Want this applied to your situation?