The person saying just don't mention it is taking a risk that could backfire badly. If your landlord finds out later and decides to enforce the clause in your contract, you could get a fristlose Kundigung and that's a headache you don't want as a student. Your ESA status doesn't carry the same legal weight here as it would in the US, so you're basically in the same position as any other tenant with a pet. Try looking at Genossenschaft apartments or smaller private landlords in outer districts like Lichtenberg or Marzahn, they tend to be more flexible and the rent is usually cheaper too.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

Legally you're right that the German law change in 2015 means standard "no pets" clauses in rental contracts are usually void, but emotional support animals don't have the same legal standing here as service dogs do in the US. Landlords can still say no if they have a legitimate reason like allergy concerns from other tenants or documented building restrictions. I'd be upfront about the dog from the start, not because you have to, but because finding out later will get you a termination notice and a bad Schufa entry that makes the next search even harder. Focus your search on older buildings in neighborhoods like Neukölln or Wedding where landlords tend to be more relaxed and you'll have better luck than with the big corporate housing companies.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

just say u have a small dog or dont mention it at all tbh. landlords rarely check unless theres complaints. emotional support animals arent really a thing here legally so thats not gonna help.

arrow_drop_up 1 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

yeah the guide's got the main stuff down, one thing i'd add is that the späti culture is legit for saving money but specifically the ones in kreuzberg near kottbusser tor have the cheapest beers, like 0.80 eur for a can of sterni. also if you're doing the sunday museum thing, skip the pergamon queue and go to the hamburger bahnhof instead, it's way less crowded and has cool contemporary art plus the building itself is a converted train station so it's a vibe

for food, i'd say the best budget move is not the döner but the falafel at yafa on sonnenallee, 4 eur for a massive plate and it's open till late. and tbh the reichstag booking is a pain but if you miss it, the rooftop at the kollhoff tower near potsdamer platz is like 4 eur and gives you a solid view without the hassle

arrow_drop_up 3 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

solid write-up, one thing i'd add is that the 7-day ticket is actually 41 eur for AB but you can get a 4-trip ticket for 12 eur if you're only here a couple days and it works out cheaper than single trips. also the museum sunday freebie is great but it gets packed, like at the pergamon you'll be queuing for 30 mins minimum. for a quieter free option, try the brücke museum in grunewald on a weekday afternoon, it's small but has killer expressionist art and no crowds. oh and for a cheap meal, hit up mustafa's gemüse kebab at mehringdamm, that line is long but it's worth the 5 eur for the hype tbh

arrow_drop_up 3 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

honestly the cash tip is huge, a lot of tourists don't realize how many places are still cash only here. something the guide missed is that you can get a really cheap coffee at most bakeries for like 1.50 eur if you stand at the counter instead of sitting down, way cheaper than the hipster cafes. also if you're near a späti grab a beer for like 1 eur, way cheaper than bars obviously

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply