Housing and Cost of Living

The housing market in Tübingen is competitive. Whether you're coming to Tübingen for a short stay or planning to spend a longer period here, it's essential to start looking for accommodation as early as possible. In the following sections, we have gathered all the important information and tips to help with your apartment search.

The Welcome Center’s Accommodation Service

The Welcome Center offers a great service to help you find accommodation. Check out their Website and register with them to get help (only for people with a contract at the University of Tübingen).

Registration with the City

After moving to Tübingen or another city in Germany, you must register at the Citizen’s Center (“Bürgerbüro/Bürgeramt”) within 14 days. To do so, please send an email within this deadline to inform them of your arrival: buergeramt＠tuebingen․de

❗ This registration is a prerequisite for all further administrative steps in Germany.

To apply for a residence permit, send an email to the Ausländeramt (Immigration Office) of the city you live in: for Tübingen, this is auslaenderamt＠tuebingen․de. The Citizen Center will ask you to arrange an appointment and bring the following documents to officially register:

  • Valid passport or equivalent
  • Your rental contract
  • Confirmation from your landlord or landlady that you have moved in (form "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung")

💡 There is no fee for official registration. Be aware that only people with an appointment will be allowed to enter the building.

Consequences of this official registration (Wohnsitz-Anmeldung) include the ability to open a bank account, register with gas, water, and electricity suppliers, become eligible for local council services, and receive information on elections in which you are eligible to vote.

 

Contact details for the Citizen Center in Tübingen

Bürgerbüro Stadtmitte, Schmiedtorstraße 4, 72074 Tübingen, Phone: +49 (0) 7071 204-2020, E-Mail: termin.buergeramt＠tuebingen․de

💡When emailing, state your first and family name, a contact phone number, and the reason for contacting them, so they can call you back. Alternatively, you can arrange an appointment online.

Write a shared flat application

Often, a successful search for a room in a shared flat starts with a well-crafted application. There are many guides on how to write such an application. Below, you can find three examples of what they typically look like. 

💡 Example 1:

Dear Flatmates,

My name is Lisa, and I am looking for a cozy home in a lively shared flat. Your offer on WG-Gesucht caught my attention, as your flat share seems to offer exactly what I’m looking for: a harmonious atmosphere, friendly flatmates, and a central location.

About me: I’m 25 years old, work in the marketing industry, and love meeting new people in my free time. I enjoy cooking and am always up for a cozy game night or a spontaneous trip. Cleanliness and respect for my flatmates are second nature to me.

I would be delighted to meet you in person and learn more about the flat share. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,
Lisa

💡 Example 2:

Hello everyone,

My name is Alex, and I’m looking for a new home in a shared flat that’s not just a place to stay but also a community. Your advertisement on WG-Gesucht caught my eye because it gives the impression that you are a vibrant group that gets along well.

A little about me: I’m 28 years old, work as a graphic designer, and am cheerful and open-minded. I enjoy being creative in my free time, whether it’s drawing or listening to music. I value respectful communication and look forward to meeting new people.

I would love to introduce myself in person and learn more about your flat share. I’d be very happy to receive an invitation to a viewing.

Best regards,
Alex

💡 Example 3:

Hello,

My name is Tim, and I’m looking for a new home in a shared flat that’s not just four walls but also great people and shared experiences. Your ad on WG-Gesucht immediately caught my eye, as you’re looking for a cheerful and open-minded person – that’s me!

A little about me: I’m 24 years old, studying psychology, and I’m always up for a bit of fun. Whether it’s cooking together, game nights, or outings – I’m in! Cleanliness and consideration are important to me, and I have a positive attitude.

I would be delighted if we could meet in person and see if we’re a good match!

Best regards,
Tim

📊 Survey results - “How colleagues have found accommodation”

Among the 57 colleagues surveyed, most used WG-Gesucht as the primary service to find accommodation in Tübingen. Another option worth considering is ImmoScout.

💭 What Others Say…

💭 creating a 'Gesuch' (description of myself and what I am looking for) turned out very helpful for me

💭 I think the key for me was to frequently check sites and be the first one to write to the landlord. The advertisement for my accommodation was posted at around 11pm and I was lucky to respond immediately.

💭 I found my flat using the "Gesuche" (At WG-Gesucht) functionality. […] Some people (like my landlords) don't advertise their properties because they want to avoid dealing with too many interested parties.

💭 I also checked the local newspaper (www.tagblatt.de/Marktplatz/Immobilien.html).

💭 Premium subscription for ImmoScout24 makes a huge difference. Otherwise the postings on the MvL6 slack channel are quite helpful

💭 In my experience, getting the ImmoScout24 Pro subscription for a month or two was worth it, especially if you are looking to live alone

💭 One has to write in German initially for the request or putting up your ad. If it is in english, people generally don't respond. […]