Living in Magdeburg

A permanent residence is required for registration at the BürgerBüro (citizens' office).

 

 

First Steps in Finding Housing

What types of accommodation are available?

 

  • Shared Apartments (WGs), starting at around €250/month
    • Affordable living with the opportunity to quickly meet new people – ideal for getting settled in the city
    • WG-GESUCHT.de/en (Room descriptions mainly in German)
    • Kleinanzeigen (in German)

 

 

Which district is recommended for students?

The main campus of OVGU is located in the "Alte Neustadt" district. It is surrounded by the districts of "Neue Neustadt," "Werder," "Altstadt," "Stadtfeld Ost," and "Nordwest." To stay close to the university, these districts are ideal.

Popular districts like "Alte Neustadt," "Altstadt," and "Stadtfeld Ost" tend to have higher rents, while neighborhoods on the outskirts are more affordable.

  Districts in comparison (in German only)

MD_Stadtteile

 (Image source: Link)

Find more information about the districts "Alte Neustadt", "Altstadt", and "Stadtfeld Ost" here (in German only).

 

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Rent and Additional Costs

What rental models are available?

  • Warm rent: Includes all additional costs (water, heating, electricity, internet, TV, etc.)
  • Cold rent + additional costs: Additional costs vary depending on consumption

 

What are the rent prices in Magdeburg?

Rental prices in Magdeburg vary depending on the location, size, and features of the accommodation. However, compared to other university towns in Germany, Magdeburg offers relatively low rent prices.

Affordable options for students start at around €250/month for small, furnished rooms (e.g., in student dorms or shared apartments).

Small, furnished apartments start at about €300/month, while larger apartments cost around €400–450/month.

 

Example calculation for a small 3-room apartment (59 m2)

  • Cold rent: €310/month
  • Additional costs (including heating): €135/month
  • Total rent: €445/month

  • Additional costs (not included):
    • Electricity: approx. €25–30 per person/month
    • Broadcasting fees: €18.36/month (as of 2024)
    • Telephone/Internet: approx. €15–25/month

Total costs: approx. €503.36-518.36/month

 

This example refers to an entire apartment suitable for two people. The costs can be divided between roommates, reducing the monthly financial burden per person.

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Application for a Room in a Student Dormitory

When should I apply for a room?

It’s best to apply as early as possible, but max. 6 months in advance!

Even future students who are not yet enrolled can apply if they plan to study at Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg.

  

How does the application process work?

The application for a dormitory room is exclusively through the online application.

  • Fill in all required details and submit the form.
  • Receive a confirmation link via email.
  • Check the details and correct them if necessary.
  • Activate your application by clicking the confirmation link in the email.

Important: Your application is only valid after successful confirmation!

 

You will typically receive a temporary rental offer within 4-6 weeks before your desired move-in date. For the winter semester, this period may be shortened to 1-2 weeks.

Once a dormitory room is available for you, you will receive an offer, including the rental agreement and other documents, via email. You must submit the required documents and signed forms by post within the given deadline.

Students who are abroad can send the documents by email before the deadline and submit the originals later.

If the complete documents are not submitted within the deadline, the offer for the dormitory place will be canceled and the application will be deleted.

 

What can I do if I don't get a dormitory room?

If your application for a dormitory place is rejected, you have the option to apply for a room through the "Free Room Allocation" of the Studentenwerk on September 15th. However, it’s advisable not to rely solely on this and to begin searching for alternative housing options.

 

You can find more FAQs about dormitories here (unfortunately in German).

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Application for an Apartment or a Room in a Shared Apartment

Submitting a written application for a viewing appointment or for a room in a shared apartment is an important step and should be polite, concise, and informative. Germans tend to be very direct and efficient in the way they communicate. Here, we provide two sample letters for both situations to help guide you:

 

Sample Request for an Apartment Viewing

Dear [Name of the Landlord or "Sir/Madam"],

I am very interested in the apartment at [address/location] and would like to schedule a viewing appointment. I will be starting my studies at Otto von Guericke University on [date or semester start] and plan to move on [desired move-in date].

If the apartment is still available, I would be pleased to arrange a viewing appointment with you.

Thank you in advance for your response!

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Contact details, e.g., phone number and email address]

 

Sample Letter for a Room in a Shared Apartment Request

Hello [Name(s) of the roommate(s) or "Dear flatmates"],

I saw your ad for the room in the shared apartment at [address/location] and was immediately interested! I will begin my studies in [your field of study] at Otto von Guericke University starting [date], and I am looking for a comfortable home with an open and friendly atmosphere.

About me:

  • Name: [Your Name]
  • Age: [Your Age]
  • Interests: [e.g., cooking, sports, music – also mention anything that contributes to a harmonious shared living situation, such as cooking together, cleaning schedule, etc.]
  • Lifestyle: Non-smoker/smoker, [“tidy,” “sociable,” or other positive traits that might fit well in a shared apartment]

I would love to arrange an in-person viewing to meet you and the flatmates and see if we get along. I look forward to hearing your suggestions for a meeting time!

Alternatively:

If an in-person meeting is difficult, I would also be happy to meet you via an online meeting. This way, we could get to know each other and I could get a first impression of you and the room.

Thank you in advance for your response!

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Contact details]

 

Important Documents for Renting

What documents do I need?

  • Identification document (ID card or passport), and visa if applicable
  • German bank account, or blocked account for non-EU citizens
  • University admission letter

 

What is the Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung (Landlord's Certificate)?

The landlord must provide you with a certificate confirming the rental agreement (Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung) for your registration at the local citizens' office (BürgerBüro).

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Apartment Viewings and Contract Review

What should I pay attention to during apartment viewings?

  • Ensure that the price, size, and condition match the advertisement.
  • Be sure to clarify all additional costs.
  • Look out for potential issues like noise or damages that could affect your living comfort.

 

Important Notes Before Signing the Contract

Once the rental agreement is signed, it becomes legally binding.

Before signing, check the notice period (usually three months) and the amount of the security deposit (often two to three months' rent).

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Furnishing

Apartments are usually offered unfurnished or partially furnished (with a kitchen). Fully furnished options, typically available for students, are also offered but are in high demand, especially at the beginning of the semester.

Shared apartments (WGs) usually offer unfurnished rooms, but there is a shared, fully equipped kitchen and bathroom.

 

Where can I find affordable furniture?

 

 

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Temporary Accommodation

What short-term accommodation options are available?

hotels

hostels

Booking.com 

Airbnb

Alternatively, you can ask friends in Magdeburg for temporary accommodation.

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Miscellaneous

Water Quality – Is tap water drinkable?

Yes! "The drinking water in Magdeburg comes from the picturesque Colbitz-Letzlinger Heath." 

Tap water in Magdeburg is safe and of high quality, so it can be consumed without any concerns.

This makes buying bottled water unnecessary! Not only does this save you money, but it also conserves resources and reduces plastic waste – a sustainable choice for you and the environment!

 

Bottles with refundable deposit

Many plastic and glass bottles in Germany come with a deposit (usually 8 to 25 cents). When you return the empty bottle to a machine at supermarkets, you’ll get the deposit refunded. This system helps reduce waste and supports recycling.

 

Waste Separation

Proper waste separation is an important contribution to environmental protection – and in Magdeburg, it’s very easy! Color-coded bins make sorting paper (blue), plastic (yellow), residual waste (black), and organic waste (brown) straightforward.

These overviews will help you sort your waste correctly: 1 and 2 (Please note: Improper waste separation can result in fines, so make sure to follow the guidelines carefully!)

Waste separation is not only quick, but it also allows you to actively contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle in your new city.

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Last Modification: 13.01.2025 - Contact Person: