Accommodation

It’s not easy

We want to be honest: As in most university cities it is not easy to find accommodation in Erlangen, especially not a convenient one.

Due to legal regulations, universities in Germany are not allowed to operate their own dormitories. There are several dormitories in Erlangen: some are private and commercial dormitories, some are run by non-profit organisations, and others are public dormitories managed by the so-called “Studentenwerk”. The university has no influence over who is allocated a room there, but the operators are solely in charge of that.

MAOT can support you with a list of recommendations on where and how to search for housing. MAOT staff is also happy to provide feedback on specific accommodations based on our local expertise.

Regarding dormitory applications, students can apply early, but they will likely not hear back before July or August regarding a potential offer.

As for the private market, it generally does not make sense to start searching before about June as private apartments for September / October are usually not listed before then.

Strategy advice

• We recommend searching not only in Erlangen, but also in the entire region. Nürnberg and Fürth offer many opportunities and are easily accessible by public transport. Smaller towns to the north or west of Erlangen (Forchheim, Baiersdorf, Dechsendorf, Langensendelbach, etc.) are also alternatives.
• Use every contact you have in the region or in Germany, even if it is a friend of a friend of a friend. Let everyone know that you are looking for accommodation. This method is a common and often successful way to find a place.

Dormitories

Studentenwerk

• Dormitories of the “Studentenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg” (page partly in German only): The “Studentwerk” is the largest provider of dormitories in Erlangen. It is  a public institution which is closely linked to the university but acts independently. Students can apply for all dormitories at once with the this application form. – A nice video on Youtube shows some of the Studentenwerk’s dormitories.

Non-profit dormitories

• The Joseph-Stiftung is the largest non-profit provider of dormitories in Erlangen (homepage only partly in English)
• The FDA-Stiftung operates three dormitories in Erlangen.
• The Werner-Elert-Heim addresses particularly students of theology but is open for everybody.
• A further non-profit dormitory of the SWVE.
• The dormitory Uttenreutherhaus.

Private dormitories

Private dormitories often have a higher standard but are also in the higher price segment:

• The Study inn in Erlangen and Nürnberg
• Bruckly Quartier
• Erlangen Campus
• The “Erlanger Höfe“
• Only in Nürnberg: Urban Living Nürnberg

Non-dormitory accommodation

• The highly popular search engine  WG gesucht for rooms in shared-apartments (some short-term accommodation, in German): Search engine for rooms in shared-apartments
• A list of rooms in shared-apartments (in German): List of rooms in shared-apartments
• The two most popular general accommodation portals are www.immowelt.de and www.immobilienscout24.de
• A provider of temporary accommodation, which may work for a start in Erlangen: Wohnref
• List of available accommodations on a private online platform for student accommodations (in German): List of selected student accommodations
• A platform in English (with costs): Housing Target
• A provider of several furnished rooms: Schipp Immobilien

Further tools

• A bulletin board where students can publish your search (don’t expect too many replies, though).
• Students can publish a search in FAU International Incomings group at Facebook and also find some offers there.