Starting out at university is not only challenging from an academic point of view, new students also face the predicament of finding suitable accommodation.
The cities of Erlangen, Fürth and Nuremberg offer a high quality of life and accommodation can be difficult to find, especially at the beginning of the semester. We therefore recommend that all students start looking for a room or an apartment in Erlangen, Fürth or Nuremberg as soon as possible.
Being flexible and also looking in surrounding areas will increase your chances of finding affordable accommodation. The region has an excellent public transport system, so you should not have any problems getting to your place of study.
Searching for accommodation in Erlangen, Nuremberg and the surrounding area
FAU itself cannot assign you accommodation, but we work very closely with Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg. Your own initiative is required to find suitable accommodation.
Since the market for accommodation can be very overstretched at times, ensure that you start looking for accommodation early (also from abroad) and apply for several different places.
The German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studentenwerk) offers lots of information and tips on finding accommodation. In addition, we have put together a few tips for making your search for accommodation easier.
As a first point of call, we recommend contacting Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg, which has a great deal of information about accommodation. This includes:
- an overview of student accommodation offered by Student Services and other providers in Erlangen and Nuremberg
- the room referral service on the private housing market, organized by Student Services (link to referral service)
- the “Wohnen für Hilfe (rooms in exchange for help) “ housing partnerships where students get cheap accommodation in exchange for helping in the household.
In addition, Student Services has a website that has tips for new students on finding accommodation.
More “conventional” approaches to finding accommodation such as advertisements for accommodation in local newspapers (Wednesdays and Saturdays) are also useful. There is an even wider range available online – but be aware that you may have to pay commission to an estate agent. In the University, there are often notice boards where people can hang notices about rooms available or if they are looking for accommodation.
Additional offers in the region:
- The School of Business, Economics and Society in Nuremberg has its own overview on the topic of accommodation aimed especially at new students.
- The Catholic student community in Erlangen has set up its own accommodation exchange on its website.
Once you have found some accommodation, the next step is signing the rental contract. Please be aware that oral agreements made for a contractual relationship are legally binding in Germany! It is advisable to put any agreements made in writing as soon as possible. Make sure you read the contract carefully and only sign it once you have understood its contents. In Germany, it is common practice to pay a deposit of two or three months’ rent. In student accommodation, it is also possible that you will have to pay two or three months’ rent in advance. Please therefore ensure that you have enough funds to cover these costs before you apply for accommodation.
Agreements about deposits and periods of notice are binding.
The rental contract contains other provisions such as rules about separating garbage, and service costs and how they are charged. Any house rules are also part of the rental contract. Landlords often require tenants to have private liability insurance that covers damage caused to third parties. We would strongly advise you to take out such insurance, even if it is not part of the rental agreement. You must submit a certificate of enrollment every semester if you are living in student accommodation.
Student Services in Erlangen provides a short overview of tenancy law.
Make sure a record is made of the condition (e.g. any damage) of your accommodation when you move in and when you move out so that you receive your deposit in full when you move out. You have 14 days after moving in to your accommodation to report any damage or faults to your landlord. You are responsible for any damage after this period. Ensure you leave your contact details in the record when you move out.
Please also make sure you register or de-register with the relevant authorities in the city when you move in or out of your accommodation.
Our 5 best tips for accommodation while studying
- Start your search early – at least three months before you arrive in Erlangen
- Take out private liability insurance
- Inform the landlord immediately of any damage
- Make sure you fulfill all the contract obligations (e.g. opening the windows regularly and heating properly to prevent mildew)
- Keep to deadlines and time limits such as canceling the contract, paying the rent, extending the rental contract by semester, etc.
Information for international applicants
Click on the tabs to receive further information.
Additional information for international researchers and doctoral candidates is available on the Welcome Center website.
Exchange and exchange program students receive detailed information during the application process.
Before arriving in Germany
Our accommodation service provides support to newly arrived international students of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs taught in English. If you require support with finding accommodation, please register in our Mobility Online database once you have received your admissions letter.
You will then receive further information.
Please use this contact form if you have any other questions about accommodation.
During your stay
Please read the general tips on accommodation for all target groups above and the FAQ’s for international students provided by the German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studentenwerk).
If you have found a place in student accommodation, please submit your certificate of enrollment as soon as possible. For each further semester, you must submit your current certificate of enrollment without request.
