Berlin Accommodation & Relocation Guidance
Welcome to Berlin! Now, let’s get your student accommodation sorted.
With our Berlin Welcome Pack, you’ll have everything you need to get settled and get your move to BIMM University Berlin sorted, including a Berlin city guide, and all information about health insurance and accommodation.
We’ve covered everything from house-hunting tips, how to get to our college from different areas, information about letting agencies, and more.
Plus, our friendly Student Wellbeing Team are here should you need further accommodation advice, so don’t hesitate to contact us.
Manage your relocation using Arrivon.
We’re partnered with relocation website Arrivon, who provide a complete guide to managing your move to Berlin and links to services including:
- Blocked bank accounts
- Health insurance
- Pre-paid SIM cards
- Registration and immigration services
- Language lessons and tax services for after you arrive
You can also use Arrivon’s platform to track your documents and relocation process.
Finding accommodation in Berlin can be competitive, so make sure that you have all your documents ready and are prepared to spend a good amount of time looking for a flat share or apartment to avoid disappointment.
There are also some important aspects to understand before you embark upon the excitement of hunting down your digs.
Necessary documents include the following:
• Schufa-Auskunft – this is not necessarily required for students coming from abroad, but it’s always a good idea to make sure you have some evidence of your credit rating. Otherwise, anything declaring that you aren’t in any debt will suffice
•Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung – proof from your previous landlord that you have no debts relevant to your rent
• Einkommensnachweise -proof of income/proof of parents’ income if they’re renting on your behalf
• Copy of your ID card/passport
Use Arrivon’s service to manage your relocation, and track the documents required for your move.
Please familiarise yourself with the three different kinds of rental:
- Mieten means to rent or to let, and refers to a direct contract between you and a landlord
- Untermieten means to sub-let – renting a room from someone who themselves has a contract with the landlord
- A WG, or Wohngemeinschaft, is a flat share, in which a group of people will come together to rent a property on equal terms
The first option is the safest, as under German law anyone signing a tenancy agreement automatically gains the protection of strong rights that prevent eviction, exploitation, etc. However, taking on a tenancy will likely be considerably more expensive than the other options covered here, and bestows a number of responsibilities upon you as a tenant – there are a fair number of checks to be passed as well.
Mieten contracts tend to be for longer periods of time, so may not suit a student lifestyle. Much more flexible are untermieten agreements, which are often more informal in nature and shorter in length, and frequently negotiable in terms of cost.
However, you have considerably fewer rights – it is sometimes the case that the landlord might not know you’re living there. Technically, this is not allowed and the landlord can end the lease without prior notice.
We have a number of partnerships with select accommodation providers, all within a short distance of our college. Let them know that you’re studying with us, and they’ll put you in touch with a member of their team who’ll be looking after all BIMM-related queries.
Student Accommodation Providers:
- The Social Hub
- Neon Wood
- House of Nations
- Spotahome (platform discount for BIMM students)
- The House of Nations
- HousingAnywhere (platform discount for BIMM students)
- Erasmusu
- Nido Student
- FRENDZ Living
- SMARTments
Letting Agencies and Apartments:
General Lettings
Private lettings
Please be aware that not all agents listed above have been visited or vetted by BIMM University Berlin. Please be vigilent with listings, try to attend viewings with a friend/ family member, and avoid transferring deposits or rental guarantees until you have confirmed the legitimacy of the listing.
Perhaps the best option for students is the Wohngemeinschaft, where you would share a property with others, taking on equal responsibility and splitting costs between you.
These are very common within Berlin, and while some care is needed to ensure that you don’t end up living with people that you can’t get along with, they can be a fun and affordable option.
Finding Housemates
The European accommodation portal WGGesucht.de is a great free place to look for these, and local newspapers and community freesheets regularly advertise apartments and rooms.
Alternatively, you could sign up with one of the Mitwohnzentralen – accommodation agencies that specialise in filling rooms across the city, or even join and message the BIMM Berlin Student Facebook group to find others heading to the city who are looking for people to share with.
You can also search for other public groups to ask about flatshares etc, such as Toytown Berlin.
The amount you’ll pay very much depends upon the type of accommodation you choose – for example, the privacy of a one-bedroom apartment will cost considerably more than a three-bedroom flatshare.
As with all cities, where you live will affect the price: opting for lodgings right next to a U-Bahn line in the centre of a key nightlife district will take more from your wallet each month than somewhere a little further out.
- We recommend viewing a property at least twice. You’ll be more likely to notice problems the second time around
- Take someone with you or let someone else know exactly where you are when you visit a property, just to err on the side of caution
- It’s also a good idea to visit the area at night. If you do this, please ensure you stick to the point above and take someone with you
- Make sure you and all your other housemates view the property. Don’t take someone else’s word that the property is right for you
- Compare a range of different landlords and properties
- Take your time and don’t let landlords pressure you – there is a surplus of good properties in the area and you will find somewhere you like
- When you go to view, take notes and photos and use our checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything.
- Get informed – knowing your rights will help you view properties more critically and put you in a stronger negotiating position
Our Viewing Checklist
Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions – it’s a big decision.
- Does the place look well maintained?
- Will you be warm enough in winter?
- Will it be safe and secure?
- Does it have the space and facilities you
need (i.e. washing machine, heating,
fridge/freezer)? - Are the current tenants happy with the landlord
- Is the property affordable and good value?
- Is the area suitable for your needs?
Student Advice
Why not hear from the students who have lived and breathed the process? Discover our Accommodation Top Tips Checklist by Ells Sivakumaran.
BIMM University Berlin has two campuses in the heart of Berlin, housing the schools of BIMM Music Institute and MetFilm School:
BIMM University Berlin – House of Music
First Floor/Erster Stock
House of Music, RAW-Gelände
Revaler Straße 99
10245 Berlin, Germany
Schools: BIMM Music Institute
BIMM University Berlin – MetFilm School
Third Floor/ Dritter Stock
Bouchéstraße 12/Haus 1
12435 Berlin
Schools: MetFilm School (Film & Acting courses)
We recommend checking the journey time and ease of access to the campus building you’ll be primarily studying from.
You may wish to consider living slightly further away and commuting into the campus, especially if you’re already settled in Berlin. Remember that you’ll need to take into consideration the cost of travelling when making any accommodation decisions.
We recommend the following areas, some of which are within walking distance of BIMM University Berlin or a short commute:
• Friedrichshain
• Kreuzberg
• Lichtenberg
• Mitte
• Prenzlauer Berg
• Neukölln
• Treptow
We understand the process of relocating to Berlin can feel overwhelming, and therefore recommend using Arrivon’s platform services to manage the essentials of your move.
Securing accommodation, health insurance, day to day banking, a German SIM card and, for international students, a blocked bank account, are essential for your move.
Arrivon offer a free to use platform to manage this, alongside budgeting and tracking your documents required for your visa.
Health insurance is a legal requirement for all residents in Germany, including students. Some students will automatically be insured under their family’s policy (generally those under 26 years old of German nationality/ residence), or via Europe’s European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme.
You will need a health insurance policy covering the duration of your studies in Germany. It is illegal to not have health insurance coverage, and for non-EU students this can constitute a violation of your visa requirements. Thus, once you receive an acceptance letter, contact a health insurance provider immediately and get yourself insured.
General health insurance information
Depending on which country you are moving to Germany from, your age, your existing health insurance policies in your home country and/ or what your home health insurance covers while you are studying internationally, the options available to you may be variable. Therefore, when looking for private health insurance, make sure that your policy will cover you as a student studying at BIMM University Berlin.
Health insurance options
Public health insurance:
We have agreements with two German public health insurance companies, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) and Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse (AOK).
All students at BIMM University Berlin are eligible for cover by TK or AOK health insurance. BIMM University Berlin students pay the same fees as students at state-accredited universities. Therefore, if you take out health insurance with TK or AOK, you can be reassured that you are receiving comprehensive coverage at a fair price. Current information for students, including monthly fees, can be accessed on TK’s and AOK’s websites.
Allgemeine Ortskrakenkasse (AOK)
Students are welcome to apply for coverage from other public providers:
IKK Classic (site in German)
Private health insurance:
Insurance brokers are also available to help with arranging health insurance and may be a more suitable option if you have specific requirements. We recommend using Arrivon’s health insurance comparison tool to review offers.
We recommend the below private health insurance providers who offer commensurate insurance coverage as public health insurance providers:
- Feather
- Ottonova
- Care Concept
Expat health insurance:
Expat health insurance may be a convenient and cost-effective option if you are planning to move to Germany from outside of the EU and require proof of insurance coverage to support your visa application.
Please note that Expat insurance is limited to your first visa and has a maximum term of 5 years. It is therefore not a long-term solution, and we recommend arranging private insurance coverage.
Alternative proofs of health insurance:
Students with European health insurance:
If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), you can enquire about additional Travel Health Insurance from the health authority in your country and the possibilities of extending this to cover your studies in Germany. On most occasions, coverage by EHIC is possible for a small number of years and does not cover access to certain types of ongoing treatments to the extent of a German insurer.
We there recommend taking out insurance with a German-based provider who will offer you comprehensive coverage during your stay.
German nationals/ residents with existing health insurance:
Most students with German nationality/ residency, and under 26 years of age, will be covered under their family’s health insurance.
It is advised that students aged 26 years or over apply for public health insurance from one of the above recommended providers.
Blocked bank accounts
International students will require a blocked bank account prior to moving to Germany, as part of the German immigration conditions. The German embassy in your country will provide further information if this is required.
Use Arrivon’s comparison tool to review blocked bank account options.
Everyday banking
Once you arrive in Germany, you’ll require a day-to-day bank account. You can set this up once you have registered your address and are sent your Tax ID and social security number.
Use Arrivon’s comparison tool to review everyday banking options.
You’ll benefit from having a SIM card from a German provider once you move to Berlin.
Before your move
Prior to your move, we recommend obtaining a German e-SIM. You can use Arrivon to compare plans.
On arrival
Germany has various phone networks, but securing a contract can be conditional on your residential status and if you have a registered address or German bank account. We therefore recommend obtaining a pre-paid SIM, which provides you with the highest level of coverage and can easily be obtained online or in-store, and you can use Arrivon’s comparison service to find a plan that suits your service level and budget.
Any questions?
For any questions regarding student accommodation or if you’d like more information on how to apply to BIMM University Berlin, please contact our Admissions Team on +49 (0)30 311 99 186 or email admissions@bimm-institute.de.
