Brizz | Life in Germany

Most relocation advice focuses on one thing.

But in reality, moving works better when four systems come together:

Housing → where you live Services → who helps you Community → who you meet Guides → how you learn

That’s why people often discover opportunities indirectly.

A conversation at an event leads to a rental.

A service provider introduces a community.

A guide prevents expensive mistakes.

The move starts feeling easier once these pieces connect.

That’s also why platforms that combine multiple parts of the experience are becoming more useful than isolated resources.

You can explore Brizz across rentals, services, events and guides here:

There’s usually information online.

But finding reliable services is different.

Newcomers often need help with:

relocation

photography

language support

legal guidance

tax questions

local businesses

Most people solve this through: community → recommendation → repeat usage.

That’s why local discovery matters.

Instead of searching randomly every time, many people build a shortlist of services recommended by others already living there.

That reduces decision fatigue.

A strong local network often saves more time than another checklist.

If you’re exploring providers and local support, Brizz Services is building a directory focused on services useful to Indians in Germany.

The biggest mistake newcomers make is searching for the perfect apartment.

Germany’s rental market doesn’t always reward perfection.

It rewards preparation.

People usually improve results when they:

prepare documents early

apply consistently

consider temporary options

stay flexible on neighbourhoods

A lot of people also discover they misunderstood accommodation formats.

WG ≠ apartment.

Studio ≠ serviced stay.

Entire apartments often require stronger documentation.

One pattern that appears repeatedly:

People start searching too late.

If your move is planned, start understanding the market before arriving.

That doesn’t mean signing immediately.

It means understanding:

prices

formats

expectations

Platforms that specialise in helping people explore rentals before moving can reduce a lot of uncertainty.

You can browse rental listings here:

People imagine moving to Germany as one big event.

It’s actually dozens of small transitions happening together.

You’re figuring out:

where to live

city registrations

transport

opening accounts

building routines

making friends

Most people underestimate how much time the first 30–60 days take.

A practical sequence that seems to reduce stress:

Week 1 → temporary stay + SIM Week 2 → city setup + bank Week 3 → housing search Week 4 → local routine

Trying to solve everything immediately creates burnout.

Another thing newcomers don’t expect:

Germany rewards planning more than urgency.

Things often work better when started earlier.

That’s one reason relocation guides and newcomer communities have become useful for many people moving from India.

If you’re preparing your move and want practical relocation content, Brizz Guides covers topics around settling and life in Germany.

When people prepare for Germany, they usually plan the big things first—visa, accommodation, paperwork, jobs.

What often gets ignored is community.

A surprising number of newcomers say the hardest part of moving isn’t language or weather—it’s feeling disconnected.

One thing that helped many Indians settle faster was actively attending Indian events in Germany early instead of waiting to “feel settled first.”

These events aren’t only festivals.

They can include:

stand-up shows

networking evenings

cultural meetups

student gatherings

regional communities

city meetups

Events become shortcuts.

You learn:

where people live

which neighbourhoods are easier

where to find services

how others solved problems you’re facing

People often discover rentals, flatmates, local services and friendships through conversations—not searches.

That’s why community matters much earlier than most people expect.

If you’re trying to explore upcoming experiences and community activities, Brizz Events has become one of the places bringing together events relevant to Indians living across Germany.

There’s a moment almost every Indian student moving to Germany experiences. You finally receive your university admission. You complete your visa process. You start imagining weekend trips across Europe, student life, and your new apartment. Then you start searching for accommodation.

And suddenly you realize: Finding housing might actually be harder than getting admitted.

That sounds dramatic until you speak to enough students who’ve already made the move.

At Brizz—we built a platform to help Indians in Germany discover rentals, events, services, and practical guides for settling into life in Germany—we’ve seen the same pattern repeat itself over and over:

Most students don’t struggle because they aren’t qualified.

They struggle because they expect renting in Germany to work like renting in India.

And that small mindset difference changes everything.

Mistake #1: Waiting Until You Arrive in Germany to Start Looking

This feels logical. You think: "I’ll land first and then start searching."

But in practice, that often creates unnecessary pressure. By the time many students arrive:

Student residences already have waiting lists

Rental listings move quickly

Competition increases significantly

Students who usually have a smoother experience start researching accommodation before arrival and stay flexible during the first few months.

Mistake #2: Ignoring WGs Because You Want a Private Apartment

This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions. A lot of students picture themselves moving directly into a studio apartment. But many students who settle well actually begin with:

WGs (shared apartments)

Temporary housing

Short-term rentals

Not because they failed. Because it’s often the smartest way to enter the market.

A WG gives you:

Lower costs

Faster availability

Built-in social interaction

Time to understand the city before committing long-term

Mistake #3: Treating Housing Like a Transaction Instead of an Application

Back home, housing often feels more conversational. In Germany, it’s usually process-driven. You don’t simply find a place. You apply.

Landlords often evaluate:

Documentation

Financial proof

Timing

Reliability

before making decisions.

Once students understand this, the process starts becoming far less frustrating.

Mistake #4: Starting the Search Without Understanding the Market

One thing we noticed while building Brizz is that students often spend hours searching without realizing they’re limiting themselves to one type of accommodation.

Some only search for private apartments, Some only search university housing, Some only search after arrival.

The people who usually adapt faster are the ones who explore multiple housing options early and stay open to temporary solutions. That’s also one of the reasons Brizz started curating rentals alongside guides and local resources—to make the search process feel a little less fragmented for Indians trying to settle in Germany.

If you're currently exploring accommodation options, you can browse available rental opportunities here:

Explore rentals → https://brizz.me/rentals

Final Thoughts

If you’re moving to Germany soon and feeling stressed about accommodation, you’re not behind.

Most students who are comfortably settled today started exactly where you are—refreshing listings, sending applications, and wondering whether they’d find something in time.

If you’re moving to Germany for studies this year, there’s a good chance your attention has been on admissions, visa appointments, blocked accounts, university deadlines, and paperwork.

That makes sense.

But there’s one thing that catches a surprising number of Indian students off guard:

Finding accommodation in Germany.

One thing that comes up repeatedly in conversations with students and expats already in Germany is this: “I thought getting admitted was the difficult part. Finding a place to live turned out to be harder.”

And honestly, it’s understandable. Back home, many of us are used to faster housing decisions, brokers, student hostels, and a more relationship-driven rental process.

Germany works differently.

Housing is structured, competitive, and often document-first. Understanding that early can save weeks of stress.

The First Thing Nobody Tells You: You Probably Won’t Get Your Ideal Apartment Immediately

A lot of students arrive expecting:

Private apartment

Close to university

Affordable rent

Fully furnished

But what usually happens is something different.

Many students start with:

A WG (shared apartment)

Temporary accommodation

Student residences

Short-term rentals

And that’s completely normal.

One pattern that consistently shows up among students who settle well is flexibility in the first few months. The first apartment rarely becomes the permanent one.

Start Looking Earlier Than Feels Necessary

This is one of the biggest mistakes new students make. Many people wait until:

Visa approval

Flight booking

Arrival in Germany

By then, housing demand has already increased. Students who usually have better outcomes tend to:

Begin researching months before departure

Create housing profiles early

Prepare application documents in advance

Apply consistently

Housing in Germany rewards preparation.

Learn These Four Terms Before You Open Another Listing

You’ll see these everywhere.

WG

Shared accommodation with flatmates.

Often the fastest and most affordable way to start.

Warmmiete

Rent plus certain additional costs.

Kaltmiete

Base rent only.

SCHUFA

Germany’s credit system. Many students won’t have one initially, which is normal. Understanding these terms makes listings much easier to navigate.

Community Can Make the Search Easier

Something students often discover only after arriving: Not every opportunity appears on large housing platforms.

Many rooms move through:

Student communities

WhatsApp groups

University circles

Local networks

Referrals

Students who build community early often find both accommodation and social support faster.

Final Thoughts

If you’re currently searching for accommodation in Germany and feeling overwhelmed—you’re not behind.

Almost every student who is comfortably settled today started where you are: Refreshing listings, waiting for replies, and wondering if housing would work out.

The good news is that once you understand how the system works, the process becomes far more manageable.

If you’re actively exploring accommodation options, Brizz brings together rental listings and housing opportunities across Germany designed to help Indians settle faster.

Finding apartments in Germany for Indians can be one of the most challenging steps when relocating from India. Many newcomers begin their search for Indian rentals in Germany or trusted Indian housing in Germany while preparing for jobs, higher education, or long-term settlement. Germany has a structured housing system with strong tenant protections, strict documentation requirements, and high demand in major cities. Based on relocation experiences shared by expat communities and publicly available German housing regulations, understanding the rental process early can help Indians secure housing faster and avoid common mistakes.

Understanding the German Rental System

Germany is known for having one of the largest rental markets in Europe. Unlike India, many residents rent homes long-term rather than buying property. Apartments are usually rented unfurnished, and tenants often bring their own furniture and appliances.

Key aspects of the German rental system include:

Long-term leases are common

Tenant protection laws are strong

Rent increases are regulated in many cities

Security deposits are typically required

For Indians moving to Germany, learning these basics helps in navigating the local housing market more effectively.

Popular Cities in Germany for Indian Residents

Indian communities in Germany are concentrated in major economic and university hubs. These cities also have higher demand for rental apartments.

Common cities where Indians look for housing include:

Frankfurt

Berlin

Munich

Hamburg

Stuttgart

Cities with large international communities often have more options for shared housing and temporary accommodation.

Types of Apartments Available in Germany

When searching for housing, Indians will encounter different types of apartments.

1. WG (Shared Apartments)

WG stands for Wohngemeinschaft, which means shared apartment. This is a popular choice for students and young professionals.

2. Studio Apartments

Studio apartments are single-room units with a small kitchen and bathroom.

3. One-Bedroom Apartments

These apartments have a separate bedroom and living area and are common among working professionals and couples.

4. Temporary Housing

Short-term furnished apartments are often used by newcomers while searching for long-term rentals.

Documents Required to Rent an Apartment in Germany

Germany has a documentation-based rental process. Landlords usually request several documents before approving tenants.

Typical requirements include:

Passport or identification

Employment contract or income proof

SCHUFA credit report

Bank statements

Previous landlord reference (if available)

For Indians who have recently arrived, some landlords may accept job contracts or university admission letters as supporting proof.

Rental Costs in Germany

Rental prices vary widely depending on the city and neighborhood.

Average rent examples:

Frankfurt: €900 – €1,500 for a one-bedroom apartment

Berlin: €800 – €1,400

Munich: €1,200 – €1,800

Additional costs may include:

Utilities (Nebenkosten)

Electricity

Internet

Security deposit (usually 2–3 months rent)

Understanding these costs helps newcomers plan their budget before relocating.

Challenges Indians Face While Searching for Housing

Many Indians experience similar challenges when trying to find accommodation in Germany.

Common challenges include:

High competition for apartments

Language barriers when communicating with landlords

Strict documentation requirements

Long waiting periods for apartment viewings

Being prepared with documents and applying to multiple listings can significantly improve the chances of securing housing.

Practical Tips for Indians Searching for Housing

Here are some practical tips based on relocation experiences shared within Indian communities:

Start your apartment search before arriving in Germany

Keep digital copies of all documents ready

Consider shared apartments initially

Attend apartment viewings promptly

Join Indian community groups and forums

Networking within the community often helps newcomers discover housing opportunities faster.

Temporary Housing Options for Newcomers

Many Indians prefer temporary accommodation when they first arrive. This provides time to understand neighborhoods and rental pricing.

Common temporary housing options include:

Shared apartments (WG)

Short-term furnished rentals

Student housing

Corporate relocation housing

Temporary housing can make the transition smoother while searching for permanent accommodation.

How Community Platforms Help Indians Find Housing

Community-driven platforms are increasingly helping Indians connect with local housing opportunities, services, and events. These platforms allow users to discover rental listings, community gatherings, and trusted service providers in one place.

For example, platforms focused on the Indian diaspora help users find local rentals, services, events, and city guides designed specifically for Indians living abroad.

Tip for Indians Moving to Germany

Many Indians who relocate to Germany initially stay in shared apartments or temporary accommodation before moving into long-term housing. Connecting with local communities, attending cultural events, and building networks can significantly improve the chances of finding suitable apartments.

About Brizz:

Brizz.me is a community infrastructure platform designed for the Indian diaspora, starting with Germany. The platform helps users discover local events, services, rental listings, and practical guides that simplify everyday life for Indians living abroad.

Brizz operates under Ananthya GmbH and is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany. The platform was founded in 2025 by Lakshmi Kalyan Sunku and officially launched on October 2, 2025.

Many newcomers limit their search to the city center.

Understandably so.

Everyone wants to live close to work, friends, and major attractions.

But one thing we've noticed repeatedly is that expanding your search radius by even 20–30 minutes can completely change the housing options available.

In cities like Munich and Berlin:

Competition drops

Availability increases

Rent often becomes more affordable

Germany's public transportation network makes commuting much easier than many people expect before arriving.

Some of the best housing opportunities are often located just outside the most popular districts.

One of the most common frustrations we hear from Indians moving to Germany is:

"I've applied to dozens of apartments and nobody is replying."

The surprising part is that this usually isn't about nationality or language.

Germany's rental market is heavily documentation-driven.

In cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt, landlords often receive dozens of applications for a single apartment and make decisions based on:

Income stability

Complete documentation

SCHUFA records

Employment status

Many newcomers spend weeks applying before realizing they need a structured application package ready before they start.