Accommodation for Foreign Workers in Germany

It’s difficult to find an apartment in Germany, and virtually everyone will agree with that statement. More than 50% of people in Germany live in rental housing due to high rent per square meter and high home prices. As a result, especially in populated areas, there is a greater demand for homes than there are available listings. Your hunt for a new house can be made more difficult by your nationality. In this article, you will get to know about Accommodation for Foreign Workers in Germany.

What is required in Germany to rent furnished apartments?

1. 1. Register yourself with the local government there. Everyone who is new to Germany must initially register at the local municipal hall. You’ll need an ID and a copy of the rental agreement for this.
   2. Start a bank account                                                                                                                                           You’ll need a bank account to pay your security deposit and monthly rent. Either in person or online, you can open an account. A valid ID, a visa or resident permission, and registration with the city hall are required.

Alternative ways to obtain a leasing agreement

• • Apartments that are Furnished: Consider buying a furnished apartment for your first year in Germany; both large and small cities offer many options. You can register at city hall through a serviced flat lease. While these choices may be pricey initially, they will help you understand the rental market and improve your SCHUFA in the meantime.
  • Airbnb: In addition to being immensely popular among visitors, Airbnb also offers monthly rentals for foreigners who are unable to obtain housing in Germany. You will get a discount if you reserve a spot for more than a few weeks. Airbnb is undoubtedly one of the more expensive options, but it’s still less expensive than booking a hotel.
  • Shared residence: While you hunt for your own place, another alternative is to rent a room in the shared apartment (WG) for the first three months. In Germany, WGs are extremely prevalent and may be found in both rural and urban areas.

Document requirements for renting an Accommodation for Foreign Workers

1. 1. Your passport, residency permit, or ID.
   2. SCHUFA: Display your credit report to potential landlords. You must have a bank account that is tied to a specific address in order to earn a SCHUFA score.
   3. Contract for employment: Tenants want to see that you are solid and secure in life, therefore a job contract that is ideally open-ended is preferred. The key mechanism for granting this security is the job contract. It won’t be sufficient to say that you’re looking for work. Students typically use their parents as guarantors when applying for apartments because it can be difficult.
   4. Letter of recommendation from a previous landlord.
   5. Rent-Due-Freedom Attestation: The document proving that you have no outstanding debts to former landlords.
   6. Current bank statements: They can be fabricated in a variety of ways, so landlords like to examine bank records from the previous three to six months.
   7. Payslips: Three recent ones typically suffice to demonstrate that your income is sufficient to cover your rent. 30 per cent of your net monthly income shouldn’t be spent on rent. Additionally, evidence of savings may be acceptable.
   8. Tenant Application Form: An application form that provides more information about you to the potential landlord, such as your date of birth, the number of people who will reside in the property, your occupation, your interests, etc.

Primary issues foreign house hunters encounter

1. German bureaucracy: 

• • • Submission of a comprehensive application folder is required before renting.
    • Credit history verification, typically through SCHUFA, is common to ensure no outstanding debts.
    • Often, landlords request copies of your last three paychecks.
    • Letters of recommendation from previous landlords are essential.
    • Bank account statements and additional documents may be necessary.
    • Renting an apartment in Germany can be a complex process due to these requirements.

2. Discrimination:

• • • Applies to immigrants, expatriates, and foreign nationals.
    • Especially relevant when their proficiency in the German language is limited.
    • Pertains to challenges in various aspects of life, including housing, employment, and social integration.
    • Language barrier often leads to difficulties in communication and understanding local procedures.
    • Support services and language programs can help ease these challenges and enhance integration.

In Germany, may a visitor rent an apartment?

In Germany, you can also rent an apartment if you’re a tourist or have a tourist visa. However, they might need to provide proof of all the documents indicated above, including:

• • Work agreement (in Germany)
  • Banking records
  • Paystubs from the previous three months

From a legal perspective, renting an apartment to a visitor is legal, and the same is true of Airbnb. The landlord’s willingness to help will determine your predicament. Finding a sub-lender who will rent you a place on their behalf while they are still the legal principal renter is simpler.

Read more at How To Abroad:

Accommodation for students in Germany

Health Insurance for International Employees in Germany

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