Kautionszuschuss at the Studierendenwerk: Deposit support for international students in Germany
Finding student accommodation in Germany can be a major challenge for international students – not only because of the limited availability of rooms, but also because of the high rental deposits (Kaution) that must be paid when signing a lease. To support these students, many Studierendenwerk organisations offer financial assistance to cover the deposit or provide interest-free or low-interest loans.
Landlords often require a deposit of between 300 and 1,500 € before you can move in (werkswelt.de).
International students do not always have the financial means to pay this lump sum upfront.
As a result, their chances of securing suitable accommodation in time before the start of their studies may be significantly reduced.
Through various support schemes, the Studierendenwerk can offer, for example:
Kautionszuschuss – Deposit grant
A partial or full grant towards the required deposit.
The amount is usually transferred directly to the landlord.
Depending on the programme, this can be a non-repayable grant or a small, interest-free loan that is repaid later in instalments.
Kautionsdarlehen – Deposit loan from the Studierendenwerk
An interest-free or low-interest deposit loan to cover the full deposit at the time of signing the contract.
The Studierendenwerk pays the deposit on your behalf.
You then repay the amount in monthly instalments once you have moved in; in some cases, the first instalment can be offset against a scholarship or other support.
The exact arrangements vary between different Studierendenwerke, universities and federal states.
Non-EU international students enrolled at German universities who need support with housing costs (internationale-studierende.de).
In some regions, EU students may also be eligible for similar support measures.
Assistance often focuses on new students or those who are temporarily in financial difficulty.
Contact the housing department or social counselling service of your Studierendenwerk or university as early as possible.
Submit an application for a Kautionszuschuss or Kautionsdarlehen, stating the deposit amount required.
Attach the following documents:
Proof of enrolment or admission (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung)
Accommodation details (landlord, address, rent, deposit amount)
Proof of financial need (limited funding, little family support, etc.)
Once your application is approved:
the deposit is paid directly to the landlord, or
you sign a loan agreement and start repaying the amount later in manageable monthly instalments.
Studierendenwerk Oldenburg provides special housing arrangements for international students and facilitates access to housing and deposit support (swcz.de, studierendenwerk-oldenburg.de, internationale-studierende.de).
Studierendenwerk Berlin offers emergency funds, which can also include support for rental deposits (stw.berlin).
Studierendenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau returns the deposit to international students after the end of their tenancy, even if the refund is made after their bank account has been closed (swcz.de).
Do not pay the deposit yourself before you know whether you can get support.
Make sure you identify the correct Studierendenwerk responsible for your city or university.
Always submit your enrolment or admission certificate to speed up the processing.
Clarify in advance whether the support is a grant (non-repayable) or a loan (repayable) and what the repayment schedule looks like.
If you are an international student and struggling to pay the initial rental deposit, make use of the services of your local Studierendenwerk:
Kautionszuschuss as a partial or full grant,
Kautionsdarlehen as an interest-free or low-interest financing option.
This support helps you secure suitable accommodation without putting you under extreme financial pressure at the very beginning of your studies.
Start now by contacting the Studierendenwerk in your federal state to ensure a flexible, safe and financially manageable housing situation during your time at university.
The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on extensive research and multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some details may be incomplete or not fully verified. Please treat this article as an initial point of reference and always consult the relevant authorities and advisory services for binding and up-to-date information.
