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The total monthly cost of renting in Frankfurt is made up of two main components: the Kaltmiete (cold rent, i.e. base rent excluding utilities) and the Nebenkosten (ancillary costs/service charges). The Warmmiete (warm rent) — the amount you actually pay each month — is typically 20–30% higher than the Kaltmiete alone, according to rental market data for Germany.
Nebenkosten typically cover water, heating, refuse collection, building maintenance, and property tax passed on to tenants. Electricity and internet are usually billed separately and are not included in standard Nebenkosten.
Under § 551 BGB (German Civil Code), the security deposit (Kaution or Mietkaution) is legally capped at three months of cold rent (Kaltmiete). For example, on a Kaltmiete of 600 EUR/month, the maximum Kaution is 1,800 EUR. The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing account.
Since the Bestellerprinzip law came into force on 1 June 2015, the party who commissions a letting agent (usually the landlord) must pay the agent's commission. Tenants are therefore generally not liable for broker fees when the landlord has engaged the agent.
Home contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) is not legally mandatory but is strongly recommended for tenants in Germany to cover personal belongings against theft, fire, or water damage.
There is no local residential tenancy tax (Zweitwohnungsteuer) applicable to primary registered residences; however, students registering a second home in Frankfurt may be subject to a secondary residence tax — it is advisable to register your Frankfurt address as your primary residence (Hauptwohnsitz) at the local Bürgeramt.
Frankfurt in brief for international students: expect to pay 400–700 EUR/month for a WG room or 800–1,200 EUR/month for a private studio (HousingAnywhere, 2024). The cheapest option is a Studierendenwerk dormitory (from ~250 EUR/month), but apply early. Top student neighbourhoods: Bockenheim, Nordend, Bornheim, Sachsenhausen. Security deposit (Kaution) is capped at 3 months' cold rent by law. Register your address at the Bürgeramt within 2 weeks of moving in (Anmeldung).
Finding long-term rental accommodation in Frankfurt as an international student requires early planning and a clear understanding of the local rental market. Frankfurt is consistently ranked among Germany's most expensive cities for renters, with high demand driven by its large student population across multiple campuses and its status as a leading European financial centre. Whether you are looking for a room in a shared flat (WG – Wohngemeinschaft), a place in a Studierendenwerk dormitory, or a private studio apartment, knowing the key neighbourhoods, typical rent levels, and legal requirements — from the Kaution deposit rules to the mandatory Anmeldung registration — will give you a significant advantage in securing the right home before your studies begin.
Frankfurt am Main is a major European financial hub and one of Germany's most dynamic student cities, home to institutions including Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, and Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. The long-term rental market is highly competitive: rooms in shared flats (WG) typically range from 400 EUR/month to 700 EUR/month, while private studios average around 800–1,200 EUR/month, according to HousingAnywhere (2024). The Studierendenwerk Frankfurt am Main manages 34 student residences with over 3,700 places near Goethe University and Frankfurt UAS, offering the most affordable option from approximately 250 EUR/month, though waiting lists are long. Student-friendly neighbourhoods include Bockenheim, Nordend, Bornheim, and Sachsenhausen, all well connected by the RMV public transport network. Under German tenancy law (§ 551 BGB), the security deposit (Kaution) is capped at three months of cold rent, and all new residents must complete an Anmeldung (address registration) at the local Bürgeramt within two weeks of moving in.
Finding long-term rental accommodation in Frankfurt as an international student requires early planning and a clear understanding of the local rental market. Frankfurt is consistently ranked among Germany's most expensive cities for renters, with high demand driven by its large student population across multiple campuses and its status as a leading European financial centre. Whether you are looking for a room in a shared flat (WG – Wohngemeinschaft), a place in a Studierendenwerk dormitory, or a private studio apartment, knowing the key neighbourhoods, typical rent levels, and legal requirements — from the Kaution deposit rules to the mandatory Anmeldung registration — will give you a significant advantage in securing the right home before your studies begin.
Frankfurt is one of Germany's most expensive cities for renters, driven by high demand from its large student population and international workforce. Students should plan for a Warmmiete (warm rent, inclusive of Nebenkosten) of at least 450–550 EUR/month for a room in a shared flat (WG), and upwards of 900–1,400 EUR/month for a private studio, based on 2024 market data from HousingAnywhere. Applying early to the Studierendenwerk Frankfurt am Main, which manages 34 student residences with over 3,700 places, remains the most cost-effective strategy for long-term accommodation. Budget-conscious students should also factor in the one-off security deposit (Kaution) of up to three months' cold rent, payable at the start of the tenancy.
One of the most frequent mistakes made by international students searching for long-term rentals in Frankfurt is underestimating the total monthly cost by focusing only on the advertised Kaltmiete (cold rent) without accounting for Nebenkosten (ancillary costs), which typically add 20–30% to the monthly bill.
Other common errors include:
Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
Gaëlle provided excellent service. We finally found accommodation that suited us. At first, I was a little pessimistic, but in the end, everything went well.
Justine was an invaluable help. She quickly found us a rental that perfectly matched our requirements. Her availability, kindness, and responsiveness are undeniable. I highly recommend her services!
On WG-Gesucht and HousingAnywhere, the most widely used platforms in Frankfurt for flatshares and student flats, and with the Studierendenwerk for its halls. Aim for Bockenheim, Nordend, Bornheim, Sachsenhausen or Riedberg depending on your campus.
New listings often appear between 11am and 3pm on weekdays. A Home Finder based locally can reply straight away, view rooms on your behalf and prepare your application.
Frankfurt landlords usually ask for proof of income or a financial guarantee, often a blocked account (Sperrkonto) holding at least 11,904 EUR required for the student visa, plus a copy of your passport and proof of enrolment.
Some also ask for a Schufa report or a parental guarantee letter. The Home Finder helps you gather these documents so your application can go out from the first viewing.
The cheapest option is the Studierendenwerk: 34 halls and more than 3,700 places near Goethe University and Frankfurt UAS, from about 250 EUR/month, but with long waiting lists.
A room in a flatshare (WG) usually costs between 400 and 700 EUR/month, and a self-contained studio between 800 and 1,200 EUR/month according to HousingAnywhere. Popular WG rooms go within days of being listed.
As soon as you receive your admission letter: that is the time to apply to the Studierendenwerk in Frankfurt, whose waiting lists can stretch over several months.
On the private market, demand for affordable housing far exceeds supply and popular flatshare rooms are taken within days. Also plan for the Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt within two weeks of moving in.
Allow at least 450 to 550 EUR/month including charges (Warmmiete) for a WG room, and from 900 to 1,400 EUR/month for a studio. The Nebenkosten usually add 20 to 30% to the advertised base rent.
The deposit (Kaution) is capped at three months' base rent: for 600 EUR/month, 1,800 EUR at most. Electricity and internet are usually billed separately.
First contact:Your home finder offers a free call to understand your needs.
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