TL;DR
Guide to flatsharing and shared rentals across Europe. WG culture in Germany, colocation in France, legal structures, finding flatmates, and how agencies handle shared tenancies.
Flatsharing is one of the most practical ways to reduce housing costs in expensive European cities. It is also a fast way to build a social network when you are new to a country. But shared tenancies come with specific legal structures, cultural expectations, and potential pitfalls that differ across Europe. This guide covers how flatsharing works in major markets, where to find rooms, legal considerations, and how agencies handle shared rentals.
How Flatsharing Works by Country
Germany: The WG
The Wohngemeinschaft (WG) is deeply embedded in German urban culture. It is not just for students: professionals in Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg routinely live in WGs well into their 30s and 40s. The typical WG has one main tenant (Hauptmieter) who holds the lease and sublets rooms to other tenants (Untermieter). The Hauptmieter is responsible for rent to the landlord; Untermieters pay the Hauptmieter directly. Finding a WG usually involves a "WG-Casting": an informal interview where existing flatmates assess compatibility. Major platforms: WG-Gesucht.de, Immobilienscout24.
Legal note: the landlord's written consent is required for subletting in Germany. Without it, the main tenant risks lease termination. Average room costs: EUR 400-700 in Berlin, EUR 500-900 in Munich.
France: Colocation
French colocation has grown rapidly, especially in Paris where studio rents are prohibitive. The 2014 ALUR law formalised colocation contracts, giving shared tenants better protection. Two contract structures exist: a joint lease (bail unique) where all tenants are co-signatories and share joint liability, or individual leases (baux individuels) where each tenant has a separate contract for their room. Individual leases are safer for tenants because you are only liable for your own rent. Major platforms: La Carte des Colocs, Appartager, LeBonCoin.
Average room costs: EUR 600-900 in Paris, EUR 350-550 in Lyon.
Spain: Piso Compartido
Sharing a piso (apartment) is standard for young professionals and students in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. Most shared apartments have one leaseholder who rents rooms informally to others. The informal nature means less legal protection for room renters. Platforms: Idealista (rooms section), Badi, Milanuncios. Agency involvement is less common for shared rentals in Spain, but some agencies in Barcelona and Madrid now offer room-by-room rentals in professionally managed shared apartments.
Average room costs: EUR 350-600 in Barcelona, EUR 300-500 in Madrid.
Netherlands: Huisgenoot
Dutch cities have strict regulations on shared housing. Many municipalities require a kamerverhuurvergunning (room rental permit) for properties with three or more unrelated tenants. Without this permit, the landlord operates illegally. This regulation exists to manage housing quality but means fewer shared options on the formal market. Platforms: Kamernet, HousingAnywhere. Some agencies specialise in managed shared housing that complies with permit requirements.
Average room costs: EUR 500-800 in Amsterdam, EUR 350-550 in Rotterdam.
Italy: Coinquilino
Shared apartments are common among students and young professionals in Rome, Milan, and Florence. Many shared rentals operate informally, with the main tenant subletting rooms without the landlord's explicit consent. For foreign tenants, insisting on a proper contract is important: without one, you cannot register your address (residenza), which you need for a codice fiscale and other administrative tasks. Platforms: Immobiliare.it, Idealista, Stanze in Affitto.
Average room costs: EUR 400-700 in Milan, EUR 350-550 in Rome.
Legal Considerations
Know the difference between being on the main lease and being a subtenant. Main tenants have full legal rights; subtenants have fewer protections and depend on the main tenant's lease remaining valid. Always get a written agreement, even for informal arrangements. Use our contract clause checklist to verify key terms in your language. Confirm that the landlord has approved subletting. Check whether you need to register at the address: in Germany, you can register as a subtenant at the WG address; in some other countries, this requires the landlord's cooperation.
Finding Flatmates
Beyond dedicated platforms, university housing offices, Facebook groups (search "WG Berlin", "colocation Paris", "piso compartido Barcelona"), and workplace notice boards are productive channels. When meeting potential flatmates, discuss cleaning expectations, guest policies, noise levels, and shared costs upfront. A 15-minute conversation prevents months of conflict.
When Agencies Help
A growing number of agencies now manage professionally operated shared apartments. These offer individual leases, professional cleaning, maintenance, and tenant screening. Costs are higher than informal shares but come with proper contracts and legal security. This option is particularly valuable for international tenants who want a hassle-free setup.
Browse agencies offering shared rentals