Accommodation in Cologne

In Germany, it is not common for students to live on campus, as most universities do not have traditional campus structures with student housing located directly on university grounds. Instead, students typically live in different neighborhoods throughout the city.

In Cologne, the districts of Lindenthal, Sülz and Ehrenfeld are particularly popular among students due to their proximity to the university and their excellent infrastructure. Nippes and Deutz are also sought-after residential areas, offering good transport connections and a wide range of leisure activities. However, rental prices in these highly desirable neighborhoods tend to be relatively high.

Students looking for a quieter and more affordable living environment may find attractive alternatives in the surrounding areas, such as Hürth, Frechen or Bergisch Gladbach. Many of these towns are well connected to both Cologne city center and the university through public transportation. As a result, students can choose between urban living and more peaceful residential areas depending on their budget and lifestyle.

Overview map of Cologne’s districts:  “Veedel map” (Veedel, Kölsch for neighborhood)
Overview map showing distances and commute times to Cologne: Commute Time Map

Common Types of Student Accommodation:
(Prices may vary depending on location and amenities)

• Student Residences Operated by the Cologne Student Services (KSTW)
  approx. €190–500 per month, depending on the room or apartment

The KSTW operates more than 90 student residences with around 5,000 rooms for students of all higher education institutions in Cologne, including accommodationfor students with children and families. Please note that you must apply independently and well in advance (ideally 3–6 months before your intended move-in date). Applications for student housing can be submitted even before applying for admission to a study program, and proof of admission can be provided at a later stage. However, demand for student housing is extremely high, and available places are very limited. Unfortunately, the chances of obtaining a room in one of the KSTW residences are relatively low.
 

• Private and commercial Student Residences
  approx. €400–800 per month

Private or commercial student residences offer furnished rooms or apartments and are generally easier to access than public student housing, although they tend to be more expensive.
 

• Room in a Shared Apartment (“WG” – Wohngemeinschaft)
  approx. €450–750 per month

Sharing an apartment with other students is one of the most common forms of accommodation in Germany. Residents typically have a private bedroom while sharing common areas such as the kitchen and bathroom.

Useful websites:
vermieten-an-studierende.de (KSTW private accommodation platform)
wg-gesucht.de
immobilienscout24.de
kleinanzeigen.de
and others
 

• Private Apartment
  starting from approximately €650–700 per month

Students who prefer to live independently can rent their own apartment. Depending on the location and size, rental costs can be significantly higher.

Useful websites:
vermieten-an-studierende.de (KSTW private accommodation platform)
wg-gesucht.de
immobilienscout24.de
kleinanzeigen.de
and others
 

• “Wohnen für Hilfe" program at the University of Cologne

The “Wohnen für Hilfe"/Housing for Help" program connects students with older people or individuals who need support in their daily lives. In exchange for affordable accommodation, students provide agreed-upon assistance, such as grocery shopping, household tasks, or other everyday support. The program promotes intergenerational exchange and offers a mutually beneficial living arrangement. As a general rule, students provide one hour of assistance per month for each square meter of living space made available to them. Students are responsible for covering utility costs such as electricity, heating, and water (currently approximately €5 per square meter).

Room in a student residence of the Kölner Studierendenwerk (KSTW)

We recommend applying for a room in one of the student residences of the Cologne Student Services (KSTW) three to six months before your planned start of studies. It is also possible to apply before submitting your application for a study place. The admission letter can be submitted at a later stage. After applying, the KSTW will send you a monthly email asking you to confirm your application. Please make sure to click the confirmation link included in the email so that your application remains active. Please note that places in student residences are very popular and highly limited, and the chances of receiving a room in one of these residences are unfortunately low!

Room in a private or commercial student residence

Private student residences are operated by foundations, church organisations, and commercial providers, and offer an alternative to public student housing. They often provide furnished rooms or apartments as well as additional services, but are generally more expensive than other types of accommodation. For information on application and rental requirements as well as allocation procedures, please visit the respective providers’ websites.

Shared apartment (“WG”)

Many students live in shared apartments ("Wohngemeinschaft" or “WG's”). Rooms in shared flats are usually advertised only a few months before the move-in date. Therefore, it is advisable to start looking about three months before the planned start of studies and to check listings regularly. A distinction is usually made between rooms for temporary subletting (for a limited period) and rooms for longer-term rental. In shared apartments, you can rent both furnished and unfurnished rooms. Bathroom and kitchen are shared with your flatmates. A room in a shared apartment is usually cheaper than a private apartment and often has the advantage of being already fully furnished. It also offers the opportunity to make first contacts in Cologne.

Private apartment

Apartments are also usually listed only a few months before the move-in date. Here too, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with available offers about three months before the planned start of studies. Please note: most apartments in Germany are rented unfurnished. Therefore, carefully check listings for information on equipment (e.g. fitted kitchen, washing machine, furniture). In addition, most landlords are generally not interested in short-term rental periods of only a few months. Renting a private apartment is therefore more suitable for students who plan to stay in Cologne for a longer period (> 1 year).

Hotel / Hostel

If you have not yet found accommodation and need a place to stay for your first days in Cologne, you can book a hotel or hostel room via Cologne Tourism or another common booking platform.


DJH Youth Hostel

An alternative to hotels and hostels are youth hostels operated by the German Youth Hostel Association (DJH – *Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk*). To stay there, you need a youth hostel membership card, which can be purchased either directly at the hostel or online via Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk.
 

International student groups

The International student groups at the University of Cologne can also be a valuable point of contact for finding accommodation. They share experiences and tips from international students who are already familiar with the Cologne housing market and may have information about available rooms in shared apartments or flats.


Emergency shelter by the AStA

At the beginning of the semester, the AStA of the University of Cologne offers emergency shelter ("Notschlafstelle"), intended as a temporary and emergency solution for students without housing.
 

Family and friends

If you have family, acquaintances or friends in Cologne or the surrounding area, you may ask whether you can stay with them temporarily. Such short-term solutions provide stability and flexibility while you search for long-term accommodation.
 

Please note:
In general, it is highly recommended to be physically present in Cologne during your accommodation search. Viewing apartments in person and meeting potential landlords or flatmates significantly increases your chances of being accepted!

Unfortunately, it happens repeatedly that students searching for accommodation fall victim to rental scams. Please pay particular attention to the following points when dealing with online listings:

• In Germany, rent is only paid after a rental contract has been signed. Therefore, please do not make any rental payments or “agency fees” from abroad in advance! An advance payment of a security deposit is possible, but you should also ensure in this case that the offer is legitimate and trustworthy.
   
• Check whether the stated address of the apartment actually exists.
   
• Be suspicious of unusually cheap or large apartments, especially if the landlord is supposedly based abroad. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
   
• In private rental agreements, apartment keys are never sent abroad. They are always handed over in person on site.

In the ‘Housing portal International’, the Division of International Affairs of the University of Cologne offers the possibility to connect Cologne and international students quickly and easily during the housing search. 

Many Cologne students go abroad during their studies and can post their (shared) rooms and apartments for interim rent in the portal and get in touch with international students. Meanwhile, international students also have the opportunity to post their requests on this portal and thus reach Cologne students. Staff members of the UoC can also offer living space specifically or respond to requests. 

Important: registration in the ‘Housing portal International’ is only possible with an S-Mail (@smail.uni-koeln.de) or university account (@uni-koeln.de)!