How to apply for an apartment in Germany
Finding the listing is the easy part. Getting a reply is the hard part – dozens to hundreds of people apply for every good apartment, and the earliest complete, personal applications get the viewings. Here's exactly what a German rental application needs, how to write the letter, and how to move fast even if your German isn't fluent.
1. Get your documents ready first
Landlords want to see, at a glance, that you'll pay reliably. Prepare these once and keep them as a single PDF so you can attach them the moment you reply:
- Tenant self-disclosure (Mieterselbstauskunft): a standard form about your job, income and household. Free template here.
- Proof of income: your last three payslips, or your employment contract if you just started.
- ID or passport copy: a simple scan is enough at the application stage.
- SCHUFA credit report: often requested. New to Germany with no record yet? Read SCHUFA for foreigners.
- Confirmation of no rent arrears (Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung): from your previous landlord, if you have one. A strong trust signal.
2. Write a short, personal letter – in German
The message you send with your application is what decides whether a landlord opens your documents at all. Two rules: keep it short, and make it specific to their apartment. Generic copy-paste is the fastest way to be ignored.
Guten Tag,
die 2-Zimmer-Wohnung in Köln-Ehrenfeld hat mich sofort angesprochen. Ich bin 29, arbeite unbefristet als Krankenpflegerin und bin Nichtraucherin. Mein Einkommen deckt die Miete gut ab; Einkommensnachweise und eine SCHUFA-Auskunft bringe ich gern mit.
Über eine Einladung zur Besichtigung würde ich mich sehr freuen.
Roughly: "Hello, the 2-room apartment in Köln-Ehrenfeld immediately appealed to me. I'm 29, work permanently as a nurse and am a non-smoker. My income comfortably covers the rent; I'm happy to bring income proof and a SCHUFA report. I'd be delighted to be invited to a viewing."
Don't speak German? The tool writes this for you.
WohnungsBewerber reads the open listing (rooms, m², rent, location, features) and generates a letter exactly like the one above – in correct German, referencing that specific apartment, in one of five tones. You review it in English-friendly plain sight, edit anything, and click send yourself. It also pre-fills the portal's contact form. Free, and nothing leaves your browser.
3. Be first – speed wins viewings
Reply within minutes, not hours
Popular listings in Berlin, Munich or Hamburg gather dozens of applications in the first hour. The earliest complete applications land at the top of the landlord's inbox – that's who gets invited.
Send the letter and the documents together
Don't make the landlord ask twice. A personal message plus your ready-made document PDF in the first contact signals that you're organised and serious.
Apply on all five portals
Listings differ between ImmoScout24, WG-Gesucht, Kleinanzeigen, Immowelt and Immonet. Cover all of them – WohnungsBewerber works on each and keeps track of where you've applied.
Watch out for rental scams
Never pay before you've seen the flat
Newcomers are a favourite target. If a "landlord" is supposedly abroad, can't meet in person, and asks you to transfer the deposit or first rent to get the "keys by post" – it's a scam. Never send money before you've viewed the apartment in person and signed a contract. Real landlords never ask for payment up front.
Your German application letter, written for you
WohnungsBewerber reads the listing, writes your personal letter in German and pre-fills the contact form on ImmoScout24, WG-Gesucht, Kleinanzeigen, Immowelt and Immonet. You check everything and send it yourself. Free, no account, data stays local.
Add to Chrome – free Free · No sign-up · Data stays local · You send it yourselfKeep going
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Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to apply for an apartment in Germany?
Usually a completed tenant self-disclosure (Mieterselbstauskunft), proof of income for the last three months, a copy of your ID or passport, and often a SCHUFA credit report plus a confirmation of no rent arrears from your previous landlord. Keep them as one PDF so you can reply instantly.
Do I have to write the application letter in German?
It's strongly recommended. Most landlords are German and skim many messages; a short, personal German letter referring to their apartment stands out, while English or obviously translated text is often skipped. WohnungsBewerber writes the German letter for you from the listing.
How fast do I need to reply to a listing?
In tight markets, popular listings collect dozens of applications within the first hour and the earliest solid applications get the viewings. Replying within minutes with a complete, personal application dramatically improves your chances.
What should the application letter contain?
Keep it short: a reference to the specific apartment, who you are (job, household, non-smoker), that your income comfortably covers the rent, that you can provide the usual documents, and a friendly request for a viewing. Avoid generic copy-paste – landlords recognise it instantly.