Finding a room in a German WG (Wohngemeinschaft, or shared apartment) is different from applying for a normal apartment. The existing roommates are not just evaluating your financial stability or rental history. They are deciding whether they want to live with you as a housemate, share a kitchen and bathroom, and see you every day.

This guide explains how WG applications actually work in Germany, how to write messages that get responses, what to expect at the viewing, and how to increase your chances of being accepted.

Understanding WG culture in Germany

A WG is a shared apartment where multiple people rent together, each with their own room but sharing common spaces like kitchen, bathroom, and living room. WGs are extremely popular in Germany, especially among students and young professionals in expensive cities where renting alone is unaffordable.

Not all WGs are the same. Understanding the type of WG you are applying to helps you tailor your approach.

Zweck-WG (functional WG): Roommates share an apartment primarily to save money. Social interaction is minimal. Everyone has their own schedule and life. Communication happens mainly when necessary (cleaning schedules, shared costs). This type suits people who want privacy and low social obligation.

Social WG: Roommates actively enjoy living together. They might cook together, have movie nights, celebrate birthdays, or go out as a group. These WGs often interview more thoroughly because personality fit matters a lot. Expect questions about your hobbies, social habits, and what you are looking for in a WG.

Friends WG: An existing friend group living together. These rarely have open rooms, and when they do, they often seek someone who will integrate into the friend dynamic. Getting into these as an outsider is harder.

Professional WG: Working adults sharing an apartment. Usually cleaner and more organized than student WGs. Roommates might be older, have stable incomes, and expect a certain standard of living.

The listing often hints at the WG type. Descriptions emphasizing "We like to cook together" or "Looking for someone social" indicate a social WG. Listings focused on "Quiet, clean, responsible" suggest a Zweck-WG.

WG platforms in Germany

WG-Gesucht is the largest and most popular platform for finding WG rooms in Germany. Most WG listings appear here first. Creating a profile, uploading a photo, and writing a good self-description is essential.

Studenten-WG focuses specifically on student housing. If you are a student, this is worth checking alongside WG-Gesucht.

Kleinanzeigen (formerly eBay Kleinanzeigen) has some WG listings, particularly from private landlords or smaller cities.

Facebook groups for specific cities often have WG postings. Search for "[City name] WG" or "[City name] Wohnungssuche" groups. Response rates can be better here because fewer people are competing.

University housing boards post WG rooms near campus. Check your university's website or student services office.

For general apartment hunting advice that also applies to WGs, see our guide on finding an apartment in Germany as a foreigner.

Creating your WG-Gesucht profile

Your profile is often the first thing WG residents see. A complete, genuine profile dramatically increases response rates.

Photo: Use a clear, friendly photo of yourself. Not a formal passport photo, not a party shot, not a group picture where they cannot tell who you are. A casual photo where you look approachable works best. Profiles without photos get ignored.

Self-description: Write a short paragraph about yourself. Include your name and age, what you do (student, professional, what field), what brings you to the city, what you are looking for in a WG, and a few personal details or hobbies.

Avoid generic descriptions that could apply to anyone. "I'm clean, reliable, and friendly" tells them nothing. "I'm a graphic design student who loves cooking Italian food and goes bouldering twice a week" paints a picture.

Write in German if you can, even imperfectly. It shows effort and integration. If your German is minimal, write in English but mention you are learning.

Writing your first message

The first message is your application. Generic messages copied to dozens of listings rarely get responses. Personalized messages that show you actually read the listing stand out.

Reference something specific from the listing. If they mentioned a balcony, looking for someone who likes plants, or that they have a cat, mention it. This proves you read what they wrote.

Introduce yourself briefly. Not your life story, but enough that they get a sense of who you are. Age, occupation, and what brings you to the city.

Explain why their WG appeals to you. What about their listing made you write? The location? The vibe they described? Something they mentioned you connected with?

Be yourself. Trying to sound like what you think they want to hear comes across as fake. Genuine messages work better.

End with openness to meeting. Suggest you would love to come for a viewing or coffee to get to know them.

The WG casting: what to expect

If your message works, you get invited to a "Besichtigung" (viewing) or "WG-Casting." This is essentially an interview combined with an apartment tour.

The format varies. Sometimes you come alone and meet the roommates. Sometimes multiple applicants are invited at the same time (a group casting). Sometimes it is casual coffee, other times it feels more formal.

What they want to know: Are you reliable? Will you pay rent on time and clean up after yourself? Will you fit the WG dynamic? If they are social, are you social? If they are quiet, are you quiet? Are you someone they could live with daily?

Questions they might ask: Why are you moving to this city? What do you do for work or study? What's your daily routine like? How do you feel about shared dinners, quiet hours, or guests? Have you lived in a WG before? How was it? What are you looking for in roommates?

Questions you should ask: How does the cleaning work? (Schedule, duties, expectations) What about shared groceries or cooking? How often do people have guests over? Overnight guests? What's the atmosphere like? Do you hang out together? Why is the previous person leaving? How long has everyone been living here? What's the noise situation like? From neighbors, the street?

Be yourself during the casting. Pretending to be more social or more quiet than you actually are will make living there uncomfortable later.

Red flags to watch for

Not every WG listing is legitimate. Scams exist, and some living situations are genuinely bad.

Landlord scams: Someone claims to be abroad and asks for money before you see the apartment. They send keys after you pay. Never pay anything before seeing a place in person and meeting real people.

Fake listings: Photos stolen from other sites, prices too good to be true, vague descriptions. If it seems unrealistically perfect, it probably is not real.

Bad roommate dynamics: During the casting, watch how the current roommates interact. Tension, rolled eyes, or complaints about each other are warning signs.

Unregistered sublets: Some rooms are sublet without landlord permission. If something goes wrong, you have no legal protection. Ask if the WG is official and whether you can register your address there.

Extremely cheap prices: While WGs are generally cheaper than solo apartments, a price far below market rate suggests problems. Maybe it is a scam, maybe the room is unusable, or maybe there are undisclosed issues.

What to do if you keep getting rejected

WG applications, especially in competitive cities like Berlin or Munich, can feel brutal. You might send dozens of messages and get only a few responses. Getting invited to castings and still not being chosen is discouraging.

Improve your messages. If you are not getting responses, your messages might be too generic. Personalize each one more. Show genuine interest in that specific WG.

Widen your search area. Neighborhoods further from the center or near the city edges are less competitive. The commute might be longer, but finding a place is easier.

Consider different WG types. If you keep getting rejected from social WGs, maybe Zweck-WGs are a better fit. Or vice versa.

Expand your platforms. WG-Gesucht is the main one, but Facebook groups, university boards, and word of mouth can work. Tell everyone you know that you are looking. Rooms often go to friends of friends before being publicly listed.

Be patient. Finding a WG in Germany can take weeks or months, especially in popular cities. It is frustrating but normal.

For students specifically, see our guide on renting an apartment as a student in Germany.

Alternatives to WG-Gesucht

Studentenwerk housing: University student services offices manage dormitories and sometimes WG-style housing. Prices are below market rate. Waiting lists can be long, so apply early.

Facebook groups: Search for "[City] WG," "[City] Wohnungssuche," or "[City] Housing." Groups like "WG-Gesucht Berlin Community" or "Flat/Rent in Munich" are active.

University bulletin boards: Physical boards in university buildings and online student forums sometimes have WG listings.

Personal networks: Ask coworkers, classmates, friends, and acquaintances. Many WG rooms never get publicly posted because someone in the existing WG already knows someone looking.

Short-term first: Consider a temporary sublet or furnished room to establish yourself in the city. You can search more effectively for a permanent WG once you are on the ground.

Documents you might need for a WG

WGs usually require less documentation than formal apartment applications, but having basics ready helps.

Copy of your passport or ID, proof of income or student enrollment, brief self-introduction if they request one, and SCHUFA credit report (rarely required but occasionally asked).

Most WGs care more about meeting you in person than seeing paperwork. However, if the main tenant or landlord needs documentation for official records, having it ready speeds things up.

For complete documentation guidance, see our guide on documents needed to rent in Germany.

Summary

Getting accepted into a German WG requires more than filling out applications. It is about showing that you are someone the existing roommates would enjoy living with.

Create a genuine WG-Gesucht profile with a good photo and honest self-description. Write personalized messages that reference specific things from each listing. At the casting, be yourself, ask thoughtful questions, and pay attention to whether the WG actually fits what you are looking for.

If rejections pile up, adjust your approach. Try different neighborhoods, expand to multiple platforms, and be patient. The right WG is out there, and when you find it, the effort will be worth it.