Tips for students in Hamburg
Here you will find student residences, platforms and tips for your flat search as a student.
Where you can search
Tips
Apply to the Studierendenwerk for all its halls.
You apply online, up to 3 months before you move in, for up to 3 halls or for all of them (as of 2026). According to the Studierendenwerk, choosing all of them means the shortest wait. It gives no waiting time.
If you come as an exchange student, ask your university first.
For exchange and programme students, the Studierendenwerk gives Hamburg's universities quotas of places in its halls.
Find out early who will be your guarantor.
Without an income of your own, many landlords ask for a guarantor, often your parents.
Get advice from the Studierendenwerk.
The Studierendenwerk's centre for social and international advice advises you free of charge, including on dealing with your landlord. At the Universität Hamburg you can also come to the open tenancy advice hour at the AStA, the student union, on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month.
Use the moving checklist.
The moving checklist shows you all the important tasks for your move. You can tick them off step by step, from the flat search to moving in.