Overview

• Interim survey data from the Berliner Studierendenwerk indicate that 40% of students in the capital search for housing longer than six months.
• Berlin offers only 9,000 dorm places, covering roughly 5% of students, with no new construction beyond a single Lichtenberg project and insufficient renovation funding.
• Two thirds of surveyed Berlin students report paying above the €380 BAföG housing rate, 11% pay more than €750, and only 15% live rent‑free.
• One third of Berlin respondents report monthly income under €800 and 42% report €900–€1,000, leaving about two thirds with at most €60 for leisure after fixed costs.
• Moses Mendelssohn Institut data show Saxony students pay an average €377 in rent and Dresden WG rooms average €380, below the national WG average of €505 but not affordable for all students.