Chancenkarte holders: Tips for finding accommodation in Germany

Finding accommodation in Germany can be an unexpected challenge, especially for foreign guests. Language barriers, complicated tenancy agreements and financial requirements are among the difficulties that often need to be overcome. There are various ways for Chancenkarte holders to overcome these hurdles. In the following article, we present tips for successfully finding accommodation in Germany. 

The most important online platforms for finding accommodation in Germany

On online platforms, Chancenkarte holders can search for a suitable flat or a reasonably priced room in a shared flat themselves. As the length of stay is limited to one year after the Chancenkarte is issued, temporary accommodation may also be an option. The most important accommodation portals are: 

1. Wunderflats
   The online platform is designed to be user-friendly and can also be switched to English. The platform also has a multilingual customer service team. This eliminates potential language barriers. Wunderflats offers fully furnished flats at a fixed price, which can be rented for short to medium-term periods. This is a good opportunity for Chancenkarte holders who have a one-year stay to find a flat quickly and easily.
2. Immobilienscout 24
   Here, owners can advertise the flat for rent themselves, and landlords and interested parties can also send private messages. In order to apply for a flat, holders of the Chancenkarte need a valid e-mail address, identification documents, proof of income and proof of receipt of the Chancenkarte with residence permit, among other things.
3. WG-Gesucht
   If you are looking for a room in a shared flat, you can quickly find what you are looking for on the “WG-Gesucht” website. Especially in large cities, it is often difficult to find a cheap flat quickly. The online portal “WG-Gesucht” offers affordable accommodation as an alternative to your own flat. You can enter the desired city and type of flat in the search field above. Make sure you always have meaningful proof of your identity, residence permit and proof of income ready.
4. Immowelt
   Like the “Immobilienscout24” portal, Immowelt has a range of rental offers to choose from. Houses, flats or temporary accommodation – there are regular new offers here. You can easily contact landlords via the portal itself, for which you need a valid e-mail address.
5. Kleinanzeigen
   On www.kleinanzeigen.de, private individuals can rent out their flats or tenants can look for a new tenant. Temporary accommodation is also offered on the platform. Conversely, opportunity card holders can place a free advert here to search for a flat. To do this, you must register on the platform with a valid e-mail address.

   For a short-term interim rental, it can be worth looking for accommodation on platforms such as Airbnb or Wimdu. In the long term, however, this could become a major financial burden.

Support in finding accommodation through a sponsor

With a Verpflichtungserklärung (declaration of commitment), Chancenkarte holders can guarantee their financial security during their stay in Germany. A sponsor vouches for the foreign applicant and covers the costs of their stay by submitting a declaration of commitment to the relevant immigration authority. 

Your future employer can take on this role, for example, and actively support you in your search for accommodation in Germany and vouch for you. Opportunity Card holders can also receive further support in their search for accommodation from the regional “Welcome Centre”. Whether you need help finding accommodation, a job or further information about your stay in Germany, you will receive detailed advice here. Simply make an appointment on the respective “Welcome Centre” website for your region. 

Using social networks to find accommodation

Social networks have become an integral part of our everyday lives. It’s a place to socialize, join groups or set up a group yourself. They can help Chancenkarte holders to find accommodation in Germany. The most important social networks (which are suitable for finding accommodation) are 

• Facebook

• Instagram 

• WhatsApp

• Reddit

• LinkedIn

• Xing

LinkedIn and Xing are social media platforms that are used for professional exchange. Nevertheless, social contacts can be made that can help you not only in your professional career. On LinkedIn, for example, you can also find groups for immigrants from abroad. 

You can also find groups for finding accommodation via Whatsapp and Facebook. Here you can not only exchange ideas with like-minded people, but also make further contacts, for example regarding your job. There are also regular new rental offers on the Facebook marketplace. 

To search for flats on Instagram, all you need is a valid Facebook account. This allows you to automatically register with Instagram and search for flats in your city using hashtags, for example: #flatsearch, #flatHamburg or #rentalflat.

On the social media platform Reddit, communities can open so-called threads on a specific topic, such as “Finding accommodation in Hamburg” etc. With a registered account, you can comment on posts, create posts yourself, exchange ideas with other users or get tips on finding a flat. 

If you are already in Germany, you can also use local newspapers and adverts to find accommodation in Germany. In addition, Chancenkarte holders can enquire about available accommodation in halls of residence. 

Opportunity card holders need these documents to find accommodation

In order to find a flat in Germany quickly and successfully, opportunity card holders should have the most important documents at hand. The more proof you have of your financial situation, the better. The most important documents for a flat application include 

• Valid identity document

• Certificate of opportunity card / residence permit

• Proof of income / proof of financial security with a Verpflichtungserklärung

• If applicable, certificate of no rent arrears / references from your previous landlord 

• Schufa information, if applicable

• Completed self-disclosure form (templates can be found on the Internet)

• Valid employment contract 

If you decide to rent a fully furnished flat at a fixed price, certain requirements can be waived, making it easier to find accommodation. You can find more information on this at www.wunderflats.com.

Conclusion

Finding a flat in Germany takes time. Demand is particularly high in large cities. In peripheral areas or in the countryside, the chances of finding a suitable flat may be better. Chancenkarte holders should deal with this issue in good time and have the necessary documents to hand. Landlords often require a Schufa or self-disclosure. You can download and complete these documents online. To prove your financial security, a sponsor can submit a Verpflichtungserklärung to the relevant immigration authority on your behalf.

The sponsor vouches for you for the entire period of your stay in Germany. A valid employment contract and proof of income can also increase your chances of finding a rental flat. Basically, the more proof you have of your identity and financial security, the better your chances of finding a flat. On popular online portals such as “Immobilienscout24” or “WG-Gesucht”, Chancenkarte holders can regularly find new rental offers. Wunderflats have furnished flats at a fixed price are also a good way to find a rental flat quickly and easily. Find your perfect flat offer now with Wunderflats, the partner of Chancenkarte GmbH. 

Wunderflats is an affiliate partner of Chancenkarte GmbH. The link listed here is a so-called ‘affiliate link’. If you end up buying a service from one of the recommended sources, we will receive a small compensation. This helps us to cover some of the costs for this portal.