Housing Guide
for international degree and non-degree students
Table of contents
Table of contents 3
Welcome 4
Living in Germany, what does that mean? 6
Administrative steps and paperwork 8
How do I find a place to stay? 10
Step 1: Find a place for the first nights 10
Step 2: Choose the right kind of accommodation 12
Step 3: Start the hunt... 12
My Home is your Castle 15
Applying for a room in a student dorm 16
How Do I apply? 19
Any special needs? 20
Students with disability 20
Couples 21
And what about… 21
Living for help? 21
Living in the Netherlands? 21
Living in an international dormitory? 22
Glossary 23
Who can I contact? 25
International Office Housing Advice Service 25
INCAS 26
AStA 27
AISA 28
Table of Contents | 3
Welcome
Congratulations on being accepted to study at RWTH Aachen University!
You have chosen Germany as the country to pursue your degree or your exchange stay. We
are very happy that you will be coming to Aachen soon and that you will learn more about the
German culture, university system and the way of life in general.
One of the things that might appear as the biggest challenge for you as a foreign student will
be to find an accommodation. In Germany in general, but specially in Aachen, the number of
students (German and Internationals) as well as the rental prices increase every year, whereas
4 | Welcome
the number of rooms and dorms doesn’t. The concurrence for student rooms will appear to you
as particularly tough and will push you to the edge.
It might be very frustrating, but remember that you are not alone. Many students are in your
situation and we have gathered the most important facts and tips about housing in Aachen to
prepare you for this tough task!
Do not hesitate to ask for help but also prepare to get active in your housing search. It might take
time, but we are sure you will eventually find a place that you can call home. We wish you a nice
stay here in Aachen and a successful start in your studies at RWTH Aachen University!
Your Housing Advisors
Welcome | 5
Living in Germany, what
does that mean?
1
The University does not provide accommodation
Unlike in other countries, you do not automatically get a place to live when you
come to Germany to study. You must actively look for housing and indepen-
dently apply for a room in a dorm. RWTH does not own or manage any dorms
and thus cannot provide nor guarantee you housing.
2
Consider other options
Every student wishes for a cheap single apartment in the city center and close to campus.
In Aachen, you should definitely consider other options. Not only are apartments in the
inner city extremely expensive but the RWTH campus is also spread out all over town.
Aachen is a small city where every place is easily reachable by foot, bike or bus.
3
Don’t get stuck on one offer
We cannot stress enough how quickly accommodations in Aachen get alloca-
ted. You might find a place that seems perfect for you but you should not get
stuck on one offer. Increase your chances of getting a room by applying ever-
ywhere possible and by sending an elaborated application each time. For more
tips about application, check the chapter „How do I apply?“.
4
Patience is the key word
Since the concurrence at the beginning of the semester is tough, you will
need to start searching for an accommodation early and you will need tons of
patience. If you apply for a room in a student dorm, expect at least six months
up to one year to get an offer. On the private market, you might have to apply to
several different places without getting any reply.
5
Preparation, preparation, preparation…
In Germany, you need a registered address to open a bank account, therefore make sure
to have enough cash for the first month (we recommend 1000€) in order to settle down
smoothly. If necessary, book a temporary accommodation! You will find further tips under
„How do I find a place to stay?“.
6 Do not give up
A simple but very important tip: do not give up! Nobody will provide you
an accommodation and you will need to get active and search on your
own. But do not hesitate to ask us or your Buddy for help. Heads up, you
are gonna make it!
Registration at Citizens Office (Bürgeramt)
Resources: Confirmation of appointment (schedule online); „Wohnungsgeberbestätigung“
(from landlord).
Deadline: at the latest 2 weeks after start of rental contract.
Registration at Immigration Office (non-EU students)
Resources: Your valid passport.
Deadline: best within a week of your entry.
8 | Living in Germany, what does that mean?
Apply for a residence permit at the foreigners’ office
Resources: application form, valid passport (if applicable with visa), biometric passport
photo, certificate of studies (e.g. admission certificate, study certificate), documents to prove
that your subsistence is guaranteed, (proof of health insurance, if applicable), 100,00€,
Deadline: before your visa expires.
Bank account
Resources: Proof of address, tax number (issued by mail upon registration at Citzens’ office).
Health insurance
Resources: Appointment or walk-in at local offices
(EU students with EHIC and Turkish students please ask for waiver)
Living in Germany, what does that mean? | 9
How do I find a place to stay?
Step 1: Find a place for the first nights
If you will be coming to Aachen soon and you have not found any permanent place to stay, you
should definitely book a temporary accommodation for the first days or even weeks.
Please note that you cannot register your address with the following temporary
accommodations.
Stay at locals for a few days with…
Couchsurfing (free of charge) AISA HomeBuddy Program
AirBnB
Stay at a hostel, hotel or boarding house 3,4…
· A&O Hostel
· Campus Boardinghouse
· Fastrada Apartments
3 Price may increase on peak season.
4 We cannot guarantee that the list is complete or up-to-date.
Step 2: Choose the right kind of accommodation…
Now that you have a roof over your head, you will be able to start house hunting!
We recommend looking preferably at offers with a phone number, as you will get an answer
faster than by email. If need be, ask a native speaker (i.e. your Buddy!) to help you searching or
for the first contact with the potential landlord.
In Germany, there are basically two kinds of accommodation that you will have to consider:
WG (Wohngemeinschaft = shared flat)
It is a great way to meet people quickly, to learn German and to experience life in community.
Also, the rent is usually lower and you share costs such as GEZ or utilities with your flat mates.
While living in a WG, you need to be considerate of your flat mates needs and you might need to
adapt to new rules.
In a student dorm, you might also have a single room with a kitchen (and sometimes also
bathroom) shared by the students living on the same floor. This might be a good compromise
if you like to socialize but also need a quiet retreat place.
Single apartment
The advantage is that you do not have to share your space and you can have tranquility whene-
ver you need. But a single apartment will be more expensive and you will not be able to share
the costs (i.e. GEZ, utilities). If you apply for an apartment, you will probably not have to go
through an interview with your landlord.
Step 3: Start the hunt...
· www.wg-gesucht.de (available in English) · www.feline-holidays.de/artikel/ferien-
· www.immobilienscout24.de haus-aachen
· www.extraraum-aachen.de · www.studenten-wg.de
· www.aachen.studenten-wohnung.de · www.meinestadt.de/aachen/immobilien
· www.immonet.de · www.wg-liste.de
· www.immowelt.de · www.wohnpool.de/mieten/wg/aachen
· www.campuslife.de/anzeige (“Schwarzes · www.zwischenmiete.de
Brett”) · www.hc24.de
12 | How do I find a place?
“Schwarzes Brett” is the German name for notice boards where long and short term offers are
published. You can find them at the following addresses to name a few:
· KHG (Katholische Hochschulgemeinde), Pontstraße 74
· Cafeterias and lecture buildings (e.g. Foyer Ahornstraße 55, Audimax, Kármán-Auditorium or
C.A.R.L. Building)
· Pubs and bars in Pontstraße
· Supermarkets
You can also buy some local newspapers (Aachener Zeitung or Aachener Nachrichten) and
look through the classifieds.
If you have a Facebook account, you should definitely follow the groups below, as students
often post ads for their apartment or room in shared flat:
· INCAS Aachen · Wohnung WG Zimmer Aachen – Room &
· AISA (Association of Indian Students in Flat Aix-la-Chapelle
Aachen) · Wohnungsbörse Aachen
· Suche Wohnung in Aachen · WG Zimmer frei in Aachen
· WG & Wohnung Aachen gesucht · Wohnungen frei in Aachen
· Wohnung Aachen · RWTH Aachen WG Börse
· Wohnung & Haus in Aachen gesucht
How do I find a place? | 13
yo u r
My Home is my Castle
My Home is your Castle
The RWTH International Office has started a project called “my Home is your Castle”. The rules
are simple: once per semester, the International Office asks all RWTH students going abroad for
the next semester: how about subletting your room to an international student?
The International Office has implemented a register summing up all offers coming through “my
Home is your Castle”. Any international student, regardless of the period of stay, is welcome to
contact the International Office Housing Advice Service and check the current availability and
range of offers.
Step 1: Fill the contact form for housing-seeker properly
Step 2: Send the form back to
[email protected]Step 3: The Housing Advice Service will provide you the contact data of Outgoing students5
according to your budget criteria and preferences
Step 4: Contact the main tenant (introduction of yourself, further information, house rules, lease
contract…)
Step 5: If the main tenant chooses you as his subtenant, congratulations!
! IMPORTANT: The International Office takes responsibility neither for the condition of the room,
nor for the lease contract conditions or any issue that might arise between the main tenant and
the subtenant.
You also might want to contact INCAS, as they also manage a database with offers from private
landlords they receive regularly.
5 Offer subject to availability
My Home is your Castle | 15
Applying for a room in a student dorm:
Studierendenwerk Aachen VS. Quota rooms
The Studierendenwerk Aachen is the institution managing most of the dorms in Aachen, as well
as the university canteen. Depending on your eligibility, there are up to two ways to apply for a
room in a Studierendenwerk student dorm.
Classic application with Studierendenwerk Aachen
Characteristics:
· You can apply any time of the year
· Application open to any RWTH or FH student
· You can apply to up to six specific dorms / rooms
· Waiting time: 6 months up to one year
· Not linked to the International Office
· Room available for up to three years and six months
· Age limit: 30 years
· Application Portal for residence halls of Studierendenwerk Aachen (rwth-aachen.
de)
· Website Studierendenwerk http://www.studierendenwerk-aachen.de/en/
Quota rooms for exchange students and scholarship holders
Characteristics:
· Collaboration between Studierendenwerk Aachen and RWTH International Office
· Allotment of 200 rooms
· Reserved to exchange students and scholarship holders
· Different application portal with access provided only by International Office
16 | Applying for a room in a student dorm
· Application to up to four room types (not to specific dorms)
· Strict application deadlines
· Room available for max. two semesters
· Location and exact rental price provided by Studierendenwerk Aachen and unknown to the
International Office
· Degree students are not eligible
· Contact
[email protected] to check eligibility
! IMPORTANT If you are eligible for quota rooms, you can both apply for a regular room at Stu-
dierendenwerk and for a quota room via the International Office. Your application for quota room
has no impact on your application at Studierendenwerk (vice versa). There is also no guaranty
you will be allocated a quota room or a regular room, as the number of applicants exceeds by far
the number of rooms available. Therefore make sure to apply in both portals in due times and to
start looking on the private market early enough.
Private dorms
There are several private dorms in Aachen which are not managed by the Studierendenwerk
Aachen. The application procedure is therefore different from dorm to dorm.
We have prepared a list of all private dorms where you can find their key information.
Name of dorm Address Contact Application via
Hermannstr. 15 [email protected]
Hermannstraße Website
52062 Aachen aachen.de
Pontstr. 74-76 info@studentenwerk-khg-
Pontstraße Website
52062 Aachen aachen.de
Eckertweg 3-5 eckert@studentenwerk-khg-
Eckertweg Website
52074 Aachen aachen.de
Junkerstr. 1
Campus Living [email protected] Website
52064 Aachen
Roermonder Str. 101
Campus Living
[email protected] Website
52072 Aachen
Merowinger Turmstr. 16 rolfeverding_hve@hotmail. E-Mail
Residenz 52072 Aachen com
Apartments 52072 Aachen
Studentenheim Oppenhoffallee 6 [email protected] Application form
Erk 52066 Aachen
Nizzaallee 20 esg-wohnheim@rwth-aachen.
ESG Nizzaallee Application form
52072 Aachen de
Claßenstr. 13
C13 [email protected] Application form
52072 Aachen
Geschwister-Scholl-
Unipartments +49 221 9216420 Application form
Straße 17-19, 52072 Aachen
Roermonder Str. 112
Viv-Aachen
[email protected] Application form
52074 Aachen
ESG Templergraben 39 [email protected] Application form
Templergraben 52062 Aachen
My Bahnhofstraße 22, [email protected] E-Mail oder Website
Boardinghouse 52134 Herzogenrath
Roermonderstr. 10, 52062 Aachen
Uni-AC.de Germanusstr. 5, 52070 Aachen Website
Kasernenstraße 16-20, www.the-fizz.com/studenten-
The Fizz Website
52064 Aachen wohnheim/aachen
Xior Vaals, Sneeuwberglaan www.wohneninkatzensprung.
Katzensprung 1S28, 6291 Website
de/en
HB Vaals, Niederlande
18 | Applying for a room in a student dorm
Name of dorm Address Contact Application via
Theaterplatz 1 www.pohahouse.com/de/
POHA House Website
52062 Aachen aachen
Am Guten Hirten 5
I live Website
52072 Aachen
Süsterfeldstraße
Milestone Website
Aachen
Applying for a room in a student dorm | 19
How do I apply?
Make contact
Resources: Description of yourself, motivation, if possible, write in German
Visit the accommodation
Resources: Be your best self, bring proof of financial resources
The contract
Resources: Read and understand, obtain „Wohnungsgeberbestätigung“, sign, return and get
the key(s)
The deposit
Resources: Direct bank transfer to details indicated in lease contract, if applicable set up
deposit account (Mietkautionskonto) at bank, Verpflichtungserklärung (if applicable)
Deadline: refer to lease contract
Move In inspection
Resources: Document and photograph any damages, notify immediately
Deadline: move-in date
Find an electricity provider
Resources: STAWAG or look to online portals
Deadline: move-in date
Insurance
Resources: Liability insurance, household insurance
Deadline: move-in date
20 | How do I apply?
Any special needs?
Students with disability
If you have physical disabilities, you will probably need your apartment to be particularly ac-
cessible. While searching on the private market, always use the filter “handicapped accessible”
(barrierefrei), if available.
You will need to inform yourself about the facilities:
· Is there a lift in the building?
· Are the entrances broad enough for wheel chair users?
· Is the bathroom adapted to tenants with disabilities?
· How far is the next supermarket / pharmacy / bus station...?
Studierendenwerk Aachen also offers a few rooms accessible to students with disability in seve-
ral dorms. During the application, you will need to indicate your degree of disability so that the
allocation priority can be adjusted.
Generally, we recommend that students with disability contact AStA’s representative for
disabled students. They can inform you about additional services adapted to your personal
situation and might support you in finding an accommodation.
Any special needs? | 21
Couples
Finding a place for you and your partner might not be so difficult on the private market, since
the budgets combined are higher than for single students and you will be eligible for both single
apartments and shared flats.
At Studierendenwerk, you should apply together for a so-called “Doppelapartment”. With two
different applications for rooms in shared flat, you cannot have the guaranty that you will both be
accepted in the same flat since the rooms get allocated separately.
The following private dorms also offer accommodation for couples:
· Neupforte: 47sqm apartments. Contact: KHG Aachen
· Hermannstraße: 50-75sqm apartments. Contact: Email or website
· ESG Nizzaallee: 18 sqm apartments. Contact: ESG
And what about...
Living in the Netherlands?
At first glance it may seem counterintuitive to study in Aachen and live in the Netherlands. At
second glance though, this is clearly a good alternative! Aachen is located in the three-country
corner and is just a few kilometers from Vaals, Kerkrade or Heerlen.
EU citizens specifically can easily commute between countries. The connection with public
transportation is very good and you can even cover parts of the route by bike.
Katzensprung
You might also be interested in having a look at Vaals, which is a stone’s throw (Katzensprung)
away from Aachen and especially from Campus Melaten. As the community of Vaals is very
interested in attracting a younger population, a student dorm has been built with fully furnished
single apartments. The dorm has common and recreation rooms on each floor to help you inte-
grate as part of the dorm community. The city also provides advantageous offers for students.
Further information is available at www.wohneninkatzensprung.de/en/.
NB: This option is only available to EU citizen at the moment. In any case, as a non-EU student,
you should check with the immigration office whether you are allowed to live in the Nether-
lands while studying in Germany.
22 | And what about...
Living in an international dormitory?
The International Academy has a private student dorm with shared flats in the Frankenberger
district of Aachen. The rooms are fully furnished and are reserved especially for international
students. With up to 15sqm living space and modern facilities in one of the most popular and
student-friendly districts of Aachen, this flat share community will quickly feel like home.
The flats are shared either by three or five students and can be rented for at least a year with
renewable contract
Further information (price, application form) can be found at https://housing-aachen.de/ and
can be requested at the Housing Advice Service.
And what about... | 23
Glossary
German English
Mietvarianten Kinds of rent
Miete Rent
Zwischenmiete Temporary apartment / room
Untermiete Subrent / sublease
Wohngemeinschaft (WG) Flat share
Wohnung Flat
Zimmer / Raum (Zi) Room
Dachgeschoss (DG) Top floor
Erdgeschoss (EG) First floor / ground floor
Kosten Costs
Kaltmiete (KM) Rent without utilities
Warmmiete (WM) Rent including utilities
Nebenkosten (zzgl. NK) Utilities
Strom Electricity
Wasser Water
Heizung Heating
Zentralheizung (ZH) Central heating
STAWAG Electricity and gas provider in Aachen
Provision (Prov.) Commission
Kaution Security deposit
Angaben zur Wohnung Details about flat
Kochnische (KN) Kitchenette
Küche Kitchen
Bad Bathroom
Balkon Balcony
Keller Cellar
Dachboden Attic
Garten Garden
Dachterrasse Roof terrace
Parkplatz Parking spot
Abstellkammer Lumber room
Etage Floor
Glossary | 25
Austattung und Sonstiges Furniture and other
Waschmaschine Washing machine
Trockner Dryer
Herd Cooker
Kühlschrank Refrigerator
Teppich Carpet
Nichtraucher Non smoker
Möbliert / unmöbliert Furnished / unfurnished
Keine Haustiere No pets
26 | Glossary
Who can I contact?
International Office
Housing Advice Service
The International Office coordinates RWTH Contact:
Aachen‘s international relationships, develops · Email [email protected]
programs with partner universities abroad, · Phone 0241 80 90 681
and advises and supports international · Website www.rwth-aachen.de/internatio-
students, and students wishing to spend time nal-housing
abroad. We, the International Office Housing · Registration in mailing list via contact form
Advice Service, support exchange students, available on Housing website
scholarship holders, international researchers · Instagram: @rwthinternationaloffice
and international degree students in finding an (www.instagram.com/rwthinternationaloffice)
accommodation.
Service offers:
· Guidance in the quota rooms application procedure for our exchange students and
scholarship holders
· Consultation and advising via email and personally upon appointment for any international
students about the housing situation in Aachen
· Database with private offers from external partners of RWTH Aachen University, RWTH
Outgoing students or private landlords
Who can I contact? | 25
INCAS Housing Service
INCAS stands for Intercultural Center of Aa- Contact:
chen Students. We are a student organization, · Email
[email protected]partly financially and logistically supported by · Phone 0241 80 98 184
the RWTH International Office and FH Aachen, · Website http://www.incas.rwth-aachen.de/
which mainly serves international students and · See office hours here
interns or students taking a German class in
Aachen.
At INCAS Housing Service, we try our best to
help you find good accommodation. Our aim
is to show you how to find a flat in Aachen. We
do not own any flats, so in the end it is up to
you!
Service offers:
· Consultation and advising via email and personally during office hours
· Support in contacting the owner / landlord / flat mates and arranging an appointment to visit
the room or flat
· Database with private offers from other students (short and long term)
28 | Who can I contact?
AStA Housing Consultation
The students‘ union executive committee Contact:
(AStA) is the university-wide representation of · Email
[email protected]students‘ interests at RWTH. Our tasks consist · Phone 0241 80 93792
of the university-political representation of the · Website https://www.asta.rwth-aachen.de/en/
students to the university, the land and the apartment-hunting
public, of the administration of the student · See office hours at https://www.asta.rwth-aa-
body‘s finances, of the organization of a chen.de/en/consultation-general
cultural program and in political education. We
offer consultation in various topics, such as
finance, jobs, and also housing.
Service offers:
· Consultation and advising via email and personally during office hours
· Collaboration with housing platform Extraraum and housing project WohnDuo
· Tenancy law and housing benefits consultation
AISA
The Association of Indian Students in Aachen Contact:
(AISA) represents the growing community · Email [email protected]
of Indian students in Aachen and has been · Website http://www.aisa.rwth-aachen.de/
established primarily to preserve and increase · Information about health insurance can be
awareness of Indian heritage, not only through found here.
cultural and social activities, but also by · Information and registration to Home Buddy
providing community service to international program can be found here.
students. We implemented a system similar to
Couchsurfing for international students called
“Home Buddy” program. You can live up to
ten days at a local student’s and search for a
new accommodation more easily. You should
register at least one month before arriving to
have a chance to get matched in time with a
host in Aachen.
Important: AISA takes no responsibility
in case of issues such as inappropriate
behavior or damage to property.
Service offers:
· Support in finalizing public health insurance affiliation
· Providing general information and tips about housing
· Home buddy program
30 | Who can I contact?
Publishing Information
Housing Guide
for International Degree and non-Degree students
Aachen, February 2024
Published by
The International Office (Dept. 2.2)
RWTH Aachen University
Templergraben 57
52062 Aachen
Germany
www.rwth-aachen.de/international-housing
[email protected]
Editorial Board:
Jutta Theß B.Sc.
Layout and Design:
Claudia Pankanin, B.Sc.
Photo Credits:
Timothy König: Cover, 10/11, 16, 17
Martin Braun: 4/5, 6/7, 8/9, 13, 21, 24
Stanislava Petkova: 14
Andreas Hub: 29
Elina Krause: 27
