Guides for Germany
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Housing Local guide Finding a flat in BerlinHow the Berlin rental market looks in 2026, where flats are advertised, how to handle viewings and applications, what to check before you sign, and how to make sure you can register at your new address. An active search over several weeks or months is normal. Once your document folder is ready, each individual application is quick to send. Housing Local guide Finding a flat in HamburgHow Hamburg's rental market works in 2026, what flats cost, where to search (including the city-owned SAGA and the housing cooperatives), how to qualify for subsidised housing, and how to apply, avoid scams and check the rent before you sign. Often several weeks to a few months of active searching Housing Local guide Finding a flat in MunichWhat Munich's rental market looks like in 2026, where flats are advertised, how the city's own housing company, subsidised housing and the München Modell work, what to check before signing under the rent cap, and how to make sure you can register at your new address. Often several weeks to months; plan an hour or two a day while you search actively Housing Local guide Getting a housing eligibility certificate (WBS) for social housing in BerlinWhat the Wohnberechtigungsschein is, who can get one in Berlin, the income limits behind WBS 100 to WBS 220 in 2026, how to apply online or by post, and how to use it with the state-owned housing companies. 1–2 hours to collect documents and fill in the forms; processing time varies by district Housing Local guide Temporary accommodation in Berlin: furnished rentals, sublets and registrationYour options for the first weeks or months in Berlin, why it matters whether you can register at the address, what to check in sublets and furnished rentals, and how to avoid common scams. Start looking one to three months before you arrive Housing Local guide Tenant rights in Berlin: rent cap, rent increases, repairs and noticeYour main rights as a tenant in Berlin in 2026, including the rent cap for new leases until the end of 2029, the Berlin rent index 2026, rent increases, defects and rent reduction, notice periods, owner-occupation notices, deposits, and where to get free advice. About 20 minutes to read. A free rent check or advice appointment usually requires booking ahead. Housing Local guide Tenant rights in Hamburg: rent index, rent cap and where to get helpHow Hamburg's rent index 2025 works, the rent cap for new leases (valid until 2029), the 15% limit on rent increases, service-charge statements, notice periods and deposits, and the tenants' associations and public legal advice that can help you. About 20 minutes to read; checking a rent with the rent index takes about 15 minutes Housing Local guide Tenant rights in Munich: rent cap, rent index, increases and free adviceYour main rights as a tenant in Munich in 2026, including the Bavarian rent cap for new leases until the end of 2029, the Munich rent index 2025, the 15% cap on rent increases, protection after conversion into condominiums, defects, notice, and where to get free or low-cost advice. About 20 minutes to read. Advice appointments usually need booking ahead. Housing About 15 minutes to read; keep it open while you compare listings or check a contract Housing Notice at least three months ahead; the handover itself takes about an hour; the deposit can take up to six months or longer for the part held back for service charges Housing One to three hours to collect, redact and combine your documents once; then minutes per application Housing About 10 minutes to read; a few minutes of checks for each promising listing