Housing shortage in Tübingen: Scientists are urgently looking for accommodation!

Housing shortage in Tübingen: Scientists are urgently looking for accommodation!

The Welcome Center at the University of Tübingen is facing an enormous challenge: the search for living space for international scientists is more urgent than ever. On the occasion of the center's 15th anniversary on October 1, 2025, a detailed assessment will be made of the support provided to international researchers who have received comprehensive support over the past 15 years.

Founded in 2010 on the initiative of the then head of the International Office, Wolfgang Mekle, the Welcome Center aims to centralize the needs of international researchers and at the same time relieve the pressure on the chairs and secretariats of the University of Tübingen. Under the leadership of Kirsten Sonnenschein, the team has expanded from initially one person to now 13 employees. This support includes administrative and legal help as well as assistance with personal matters and integration. In addition, living space is provided, which proves to be particularly important.

Growing demand for housing

Between 800 and 900 new international researchers arrive in Tübingen every year. The length of stay of these scientists varies from two weeks to five years. In the last 15 years, the Welcome Center has helped people find housing almost 6,000 times and provided direct housing in over 3,000 cases. Despite these successes, the housing situation remains tense bioregio-stern.de determines.

For the rapidly growing number of international guests in the city of Tübingen, fully furnished rooms or apartments are predominantly sought. These guests, who often stay in Germany between three months and a year, urgently need a permanent address for residence permits and city registrations. Kirsten Sonnenschein emphasizes that around 770 guests have been accommodated in the last three years, which corresponds to around 60% of those looking. The challenges arising from high demand and limited availability are serious.

The role of politics in the welcoming culture

The political framework plays a crucial role in supporting international students. The Bundestag recently passed a proposal for the internationalization of science, which aims, among other things, to facilitate the international mobility of students and researchers. This clarifies forschung-und-lehre.de that cooperation between universities, local actors and politics is necessary.

The University Rectors' Conference (HRK) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) are calling for an improvement in the welcoming culture in Germany. Important aspects include creating appropriate framework conditions for the integration of international students and ensuring adequate communication structures. In order to successfully integrate more international students into everyday German education, the focus must also be on supporting social integration issues as well as financing and housing problems.

The resources provided by the Welcome Center are a valuable part of this effort. With access to 43 apartments owned by the state and 23 rooms in its own guest houses, the University of Tübingen is well positioned, but increased participation from private landlords is also seen as crucial. Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Karla Pollmann, Rector of the University of Tübingen, highlights the importance of the support provided by the Welcome Center and calls for a collective effort to improve the housing situation for international scientists.