Student Accommodation in Hamburg

Lots of international students choose to study in Hamburg. The city has great universities and a fun student life. But, living in Germany can be expensive, and finding affordable student accommodation in Hamburg is the biggest challenge. If you don't know where to look, it can be really hard and stressful for new students. This guide is here to help you.

International students willing to study in Germany might think of Hamburg! Hamburg is among the best student cities in Germany and is known for its high-quality education and a better student life. There are various popular programs offered at top universities in Hamburg, which include Engineering, Business and Management, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Architecture, and Media Studies.

While studying in Hamburg, one thing that makes it difficult for students to settle in Hamburg is managing the cost of living in Germany. Finding affordable student accommodation in Hamburg is one of the major things on which the living cost will depend. For students who have limited information, this can be challenging. 

International students can explore different accommodation options in Hamburg. The most affordable student accommodation in Hamburg choices include rooms in Studierendenwerk halls, shared apartments, and private rooms, with monthly rents starting from €350 and going up depending on the size, location, and facilities.

Here is a complete guide to finding student accommodation in Hamburg, with various housing options to fit different budgets.

Types of Student Accommodations in Hamburg

There are many types of student housing in Hamburg. The price depends on where it is, what kind of place it is, and what you get. The different types of accommodations in Hamburg include university-managed residences, shared flats, private apartments, short-term rentals, and more. Students can pick from the list below.

University-Managed Residences (Studierendenwerk Hamburg):

These are one of the most affordable student accommodation options in Hamburg. Managed by Studierendenwerk Hamburg, the cheap accommodations in Hamburg include 25 residence halls with around 4,390 places. Students can choose from shared flats, 1-bed or 2-bed apartments, and standard furnished rooms. 

You usually get a shared kitchen, bathroom, and a common room. The rent for these student housing in Hamburg starts around €300 a month. You should apply early, because there might be a long waiting list due to high demand.

Shared Flats (Wohngemeinschaft or WG):

Sharing flats are popular in India and even abroad. Whenever you are in a new country, living in a shared flat is a better option to stay. In this type of student housing in Hamburg, a few students live in an apartment together and share the rent and bills. Shared flats in Hamburg are usually friendly and social. The rent for a room in a shared flat often starts from €400 a month.

Private Apartments/Studios:

Some students like to have more privacy, so they get private apartments. These student accommodations in Hamburg have their own kitchen and bathroom, so you don't have to share. But, this is more expensive. The rent for private apartments starts from €600 a month.

Temporary Stays:

If you are only in Hamburg for 1 to 6 months, you can find a short-term place. You can rent someone's room for a while (this is called Zwischenmiete) or stay in a hostel. Studierendenwerk Hamburg also offers rooms for short stays for interns or exchange students starting from €319 a month.

Cooperative Housing:

In Hamburg, there are housing groups that offer student accommodation at cheap rent. You have to pay a big deposit once, maybe a few thousand euros, but then your monthly rent is low. This is a good option for long term savings if you will be in Hamburg for a long time.

International students can check the estimated monthly expenses for each type of student accommodation in Hamburg below. 

Accommodation in Hamburg	Estimated Monthly Cost
University-Managed Residences	€300-€450 (INR 30K–INR 45K)
Shared Flats (WG)	€400-€700 (INR 40K–INR 70K)
Private Apartments/Studios	€600-€900 (INR 60K–INR 90K)
Temporary Stays	€319-€800 (INR 31K–INR 80K)
Cooperative Housing	€350-€600 (INR 35K–INR 60K)

(€1 = INR 100)

Best Accommodation in Hamburg for Students

Hamburg offers multiple accommodation options for international students willing to study or move to the city. The housing facilities are located across various districts, including Eimsbüttel, Harburg, Lokstedt, Rahlstedt, and more. 

These places can be furnished (with furniture) or semi-furnished. You can get a private apartment or a room in a shared flat. They usually have things like a bathroom (private or shared), internet, a bed, a desk, a kitchen, laundry, and a place to keep your bike.

Accommodation	Where it is	What you get
Studierendenwerk Hamburg	In many places like Harburg, Lokstedt, Rahlstedt	Furnished rooms, shared kitchens, internet, common rooms, laundry, bike storage. Bills are included.
HousingAnywhere Hamburg	All over Hamburg	Furnished or semi-furnished rooms, private or shared bathrooms, internet, heating. Safe way to book.
Mitwohnzentrale Hamburg	All over Hamburg	Good for short stays. Furnished rooms or apartments. Some have bedding and internet.
WG-Gesucht Hamburg	All over the city	Shared flats (WGs). Rooms can be furnished or not. Sometimes bills are included.
Cooperative Housing	Different areas, mostly outside the city center	Cheaper rent if you pay a deposit one time. Private or shared apartments. Bills are included.

Cheap Student Accommodation in Hamburg

If you want cheap student accommodation in Hamburg, don't live near the city center. It's more expensive there. Instead, look in places like Harburg, Eimsbüttel, and Barmbek. The rent is lower, and you can still get to the universities easily.

Here are some cheap accommodation options:

Harburg

Canvas Living Hamburg

Good for students at TUHH university. It has studio rooms, a gym, and work spaces. Rooms are furnished and Wi-Fi and bills are included.

Monthly Rent: €946 – €1,050

PHNX Hamburg

Good for students at TUHH who like to live with other people. They have nice furnished apartments with smart TVs, shared kitchens, and work areas. It's near the Harburg Rathaus station.

Monthly Rent: €1,050 – €1,200

Eimsbüttel

Alfons 5

Great for students at Universität Hamburg. It's in a fun neighborhood. You get a furnished room with a shared kitchen, bike parking, and laundry.

Monthly Rent: €900 – €1,000

Barmbek

Poßmoorweg 12

Good for students who want a quiet place to live. It has furnished private rooms, a shared kitchen, and a washing machine. Bills are included.

Monthly Rent: €740 – €800

Eppendorf

Eppendorf Mighty

Good for medical students or students at Universität Hamburg. The rooms are furnished with new things, laundry, and heating. Bills are included.

Monthly Rent: €895 – €950

Winterhude

Sierichstraße 18

Good for students who like parks and being outside. You get a furnished room, a full kitchen, laundry, and Wi-Fi.

Monthly Rent: €760 – €850

Why is Hamburg ideal for studying?

Hamburg is a very popular place for international students. It's a busy city on the water with good schools and jobs. It has top universities like the University of Hamburg, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg), and Kühne Logistics University.

Hamburg is also a big city for business, like shipping, logistics, aviation, and renewable energy sectors. This means it's a good place to find internships and start your career while doing jobs in Germany.

Monthly Cost of Living for Students in Hamburg 

The cost of living in Hamburg can be a bit expensive if you're not careful. The estimated monthly cost for a single person in Hamburg is around INR 1,08,505 (EUR 1,065), excluding rent. 

As in most German cities, rent forms the largest portion of total expenses. You can pay less if you live in student halls or shared flats (WG) instead of a private apartment.

Based on key factors such as rent, utilities, internet, groceries, transport, and entertainment, below is the estimated monthly cost an international student may incur in Hamburg:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost (EUR)	Converted Cost (INR)
Rent	500 – 850	INR 44,500 to 75,650
Utilities	100 – 150	INR 8,900 to 13,350
Internet & Mobile	30 – 50	INR 2,670 to 4,450
Groceries	180 – 300	INR 16,020 to 26,700
Transport	0 – 49	INR 0 to 4,361
Entertainment	50 – 120	INR 4,450 to 10,680
Total	860 – 1,519	INR 76,540 to 1,35,191

How does Hamburg compare to other nearby German cities?

Living in Hamburg costs a bit more than in smaller German cities, but it's cheaper than Berlin or Munich, especially the rent. You will probably pay between €500 and €850 for rent. It's also a good place to find a student job.

Cities	Rent (Avg/month)	Student Job Pay	Post-Study Visa
Hamburg	€500–850 (INR 45K–INR 76K)	€10–14/hour (INR 900–INR 1.2K)	Yes (18 months)
Berlin	€600–900 (INR 54K–INR 81K)	€10–15/hour (INR 900–INR 1.3K)	Yes (18 months)
Munich	€700–1,000 (INR 63K–INR 90K)	€12–15/hour (INR 1K–INR 1.3K)	Yes (18 months)

Money-saving tips for affordable housing in Hamburg

International students planning to study in Hamburg must prepare a clear budget and spend wisely to manage living costs effectively. Following certain tips can help students find affordable housing options and save significantly during their stay:

• Start Early: Begin searching for accommodation at least 3 to 4 months before the course starts. Early applications allow students to explore a wider range of housing options at better rates.
• Prefer Shared Housing: Opting for shared flats (WG) instead of private studios can reduce rent and utility expenses, freeing up money for groceries and other necessities.
• Look in Peripheral Areas: Choose housing in well-connected suburbs around Hamburg, such as Harburg or Barmbek, which tend to have lower rent while still offering good transport links.
• Use Trusted Portals: Rely on verified rental platforms like WG-Gesucht, HousingAnywhere, and Immowelt to find secure listings. Many of these sites also offer special student deals.
• Prefer University Dorms: Student dormitories (Wohnheime) managed by Studierendenwerk Hamburg are often cheaper and include utilities, making them a budget-friendly choice.
• Cook at Home: Preparing meals at home is much cheaper than eating out in Hamburg. Students can shop at affordable supermarkets like Lidl, Aldi, or Penny to cut food costs.
• Get a Public Transport Pass: Use the semester ticket provided by universities, which allows unlimited travel on buses, trains, and ferries in Hamburg at a heavily discounted rate.
• Connect with Student Communities: Join groups such as the Indian Students Association in Hamburg or other student networks to get insider tips on budget housing and cost-saving ideas.