Rising student numbers and increased demand for housing: With the prospect of better career opportunities and earning potential, ever more young people in Germany are choosing to study at a university after graduating from high school instead of pursuing traditional vocational training. Beyond that, Germany is known worldwide for its outstanding education system and low tuition fees compared to other countries, making it an attractive destination for international students.

It is therefore hardly surprising that the number of students in Germany has been rising steadily since 2022 and stands at 2.88 million as of the 2025/26 winter semester (Statistisches Bundesamt). These students naturally also require housing in an already strained housing market. Consequently, the demand for housing is growing in many German cities—including Berlin.

Berlin: College Town with relatively few Students Housing Options

Berlin has numerous public and private universities. In addition, there are a large number of branches of private and public universities from other federal states or even other countries (Senatsverwaltung für Wissenschaft, Gesundheit und Pflege). Here, too, there is a noticeable upward trend in the number of students. According to the Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg (Berlin-Brandenburg Statistics Office), the number of students at universities and technical colleges in Brandenburg and Berlin rose by 3.7% and 2.8% respectively in the 2025/26 winter semester compared to the 2024/25 winter semester. As of December 2025, the Office for Statistics reports that “there are 206,458 students enrolled at a university [or technical college] in Berlin.” Of these, 9,200 could live in student residences run by studierendenWERK BERLIN, but the university or technical college where the students are studying must either have a legal contract with studierendenWERK BERLIN or have entered into an agreement with it. Of the more than 40 state and private institutions, this currently applies to exactly 21 universities and technical colleges.

SBW Berlins „Flat4Volunteers“

Although affordable housing for both single and multiple occupants can be found through studierendenWERK BERLIN, the current waiting period for such apartments in Berlin is two or three semesters. That means between 12 and 18 months. Oftentimes even longer. This is a major challenge, if not a significant burden, especially for first-year students, which can undoubtedly have a negative impact on their daily study routine and mental health.

SBW Berlin therefore considered how it could support students looking for accommodation in Berlin. As an addition to the existing scholarship program, the “Flats4Volunteers” project was launched in late fall 2025. SBW Berlin offers free accommodation in one of its two-person shared apartments in Buckow, Neukölln, to students enrolled at a university or university of applied sciences in Berlin who are looking for accommodation and are within the official standard period of study for their bachelor’s or master’s degree program in exchange for social engagement.

So, what do these two-person shared apartments look like?

The shared apartments are fully furnished and come with a washing machine that volunteers can use for free. High-speed internet is also available. Besides a shared kitchen with all the appliances you need and a bathroom that two volunteers share, each volunteer also has their own private room that they can use as a living room, bedroom, or workspace. Naturally, this room can be further customized after moving in. Volunteers can, for example, hang pictures or posters or arrange the different areas of the room according to their taste. There are no additional running costs during participation in SBW Berlin’s “Flats4Volunteers” program. That means electricity, heating, and water are included.

Your Social Engagement

Since SBW Berlin only offers free accommodation in exchange for social engagement, all volunteers are expected to engage in social activities in Berlin during their project participation. More specifically, they are expected to set aside 4 hours per week (or 18 hours per month) for this purpose. So regular involvement and proactive social engagement are definitely part of being accepted into and participating in SBW Berlin’s “Flats4Volunteers” program.

Volunteers help at social/non-profit organizations (e.g., Berliner Stadtmission, Caritas Berlin, Hejmo, Die Arche, etc.) in Berlin. If those organizations have programs for the homeless or unhoused, volunteers can assist them with food distribution or by sorting clothes in the clothing bank. Working with children and young people also offers a variety of opportunities – from helping to organize leisure activities to homework supervision, etc. Under certain circumstances, volunteers may also assist the SBW Berlin team with various social projects in Germany and abroad. Consequently, it is important that all volunteers are socially engaged and proactive in some way.

How do you apply for SBW Berlins “Flats4Volunteers” program?

All students between the ages of 18 and 30 who are enrolled at a university or technical college in Berlin and are looking for accommodation can apply to SBW Berlin’s “Flats4Volunteers” program if they are completing their bachelor’s or master’s degree within the standard period of study. All they need to do is submit a current certificate of enrollment and a cover letter in which they outline their (planned) social commitment. The documents should be sent in PDF format to info@sbw.berlin.

After careful review of the submitted application documents, introductory and selection interviews will take place online and/or on site at SBW Berlin. Afterwards, the social commitment will be finalized, and a project participation agreement will be drawn up. All accepted volunteers will also receive a sublease agreement, initially limited to six months, but which can be extended under certain circumstances. To do so, the criteria that were required for acceptance into “Flats4Volunteers” must continue to be met.

SBW Berlin welcomes its first volunteers

In December 2025, it was finally time, and the SBW Berlin team welcomed the first two volunteers, who began their social engagement immediately after moving into one of the existing two-person shared apartments. Ever since Alina joined SBW Berlin’s “Flats4Volunteers” program, she has been supporting the Bahnhofsmission Zoo food and clothing bank and is also volunteering at an art school. Sumit, meanwhile, is assisting the SBW Berlin team with the development and advancement of projects related to India. Together with SBW Berlin graduate Titas and the organization Green Crusaders India, he is working, for example, on the realization of a heritage walk in his hometown of Ahmedabad. We are excited to see how the social commitment of these volunteers continues to develop and how other volunteers will get socially involved.

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