How difficult is it to find student accommodation in München?

Germany's most difficult housing market is München. Demand is high, supply is low.

#Numbers

• Approximately 130,000 students, only ~12,000 dorm beds (Studierendenwerk + university + private).
• Coverage rate: 9%. This means 9 out of 10 students have to find a solution in the private market.
• Waiting time: 12-18 months for a Studierendenwerk dorm.
• Average WG (shared flat) 650-900 €/month (35% higher than Berlin).

#Strategy

#1. Apply as Early as Possible

• Apply to Studierendenwerk München as soon as you receive your acceptance letter.
• At the same time, apply for the university's (TUM, LMU) own dorms (separate institutions).
• Also register with private student dorms like Stayery, The Fizz, MyRoom24.

#2. Social Criteria Advantage

• Proof of low income + orphan/unaccompanied student → higher priority on the list.
• Attach additional documents for Soziale Kriterien to the Studierendenwerk form.

#3. Surrounding Cities

• Freising, Garching, Pasing → 20-40 min to München city center by S-Bahn.
• Rent is 20-30% cheaper.
• The TUM Garching campus is already outside München — a big advantage if you study there.

#4. WG-Gesucht + Premium

• For München, a Premium membership (19.90 €/month) is really worth it — seeing new listings 1 hour earlier = 3x higher chance of acceptance.

#5. Temporary Plan

• First month AirBnB / hostel (300-1,200 €).
• During this time, look for a place that allows Anmeldung.

#Emergency

Application deadline passed, still no place? München Bahnhofsmission or Caritas provide temporary beds. The university's International Office provides emergency accommodation support (1-2 weeks).

Related: München transport card | Studierendenwerk application.