What mattress size do you actually need for a WG room in Berlin?

What are the standard mattress sizes available in Germany?

German mattress sizes follow a consistent standard across retailers and rental platforms. The sizes you'll actually encounter are:

• 90x200 cmthe standard Einzelbett (single bed). This is what most WG rooms are furnished with and what most German bedding is designed around.
• 100x200 cmslightly wider single, less common but available from major retailers like bett1.
• 140x200 cmoften called a large single or small double. It fits one adult comfortably, two adults uncomfortably.
• 160x200 cma true Doppelbett (double bed). Rarely found in furnished WG rooms.
• 180x200 cmqueen equivalent. Almost exclusively in private apartments or Airbnb-style rentals.

When you buy bedding in Germany, packaging is labelled for these exact dimensions. A duvet cover for a 90x200 cm mattress won't fit a 140x200 cm bed so getting the size right before you shop for linens matters too.

How big are typical WG rooms in Berlin Altbau apartments?

Berlin's rental market is heavily shaped by its Altbau (pre-war building) stock. These apartments, common across Neukölln, Kreuzberg and Wedding, were built before 1949 and often have high ceilings and irregular floor plans. That sounds appealing, until you're trying to fit furniture into an oddly angled 12 m² room.

A typical WG Zimmer (shared flat room) in these neighbourhoods runs between 10 m² and 16 m². Rooms under 12 m² are common at the lower end of the Kaltmiete (base rent) range. In Neukölln, a 12-14 m² room currently rents for roughly €550, €700 per month Warmmiete (rent including utilities). In Kreuzberg, expect €650, €850 for a similar size. Wedding sits slightly lower, around €480, €650, which is why it attracts a lot of international students on tighter budgets.

Altbau rooms often have a Durchgangszimmer layout, where one room leads into another or structural features like a load-bearing wall column that eats into usable floor space. In those rooms, even a 90x200 cm mattress needs careful positioning.

Will a 140 cm mattress fit in a Berlin WG room?

Sometimes but you need to measure before assuming. A 140x200 cm mattress takes up significantly more floor space than a 90x200 cm and in a 10-12 m² room, the difference determines whether you can open a wardrobe door or pull out a desk chair.

A practical rule: if your room is under 13 m² and has a window on one wall and a door on another, a 140 cm mattress will likely leave you less than 60 cm of clear passage on at least one side. That's workable but it means no additional large furniture.

If your room is 14 m² or larger, a 140x200 cm mattress is usually manageable. Measure the room first (see the section below on how to do this), then mark out the mattress footprint with tape on the floor before ordering anything.

Single vs double mattress: what do most Berlin flatmates prefer?

The majority of furnished WG rooms in Berlin come with a 90x200 cm single bed already in place. When rooms are unfurnished, most tenants choose the same size, not because it's ideal but because it leaves room for a desk, which is non-negotiable when you're studying or working from home.

A 140x200 cm mattress is a reasonable upgrade if you have the space, particularly for a long-term stay. But bear in mind: when you move out, getting a 140 cm mattress down a narrow Altbau staircase (typically 80-90 cm wide) is a real logistical problem. This is one reason renting rather than buying makes sense for stays under two years.

There's also a bedding cost consideration. German standard Bettwäsche (bed linen) sets for 90x200 cm are widely available from €15 upward at dm or IKEA. Sets for 140x200 cm cost more and have fewer budget options.

How to measure your Berlin WG room before ordering a mattress

Before you order anything, do this in order:

• Measure the room's full length and width at floor level, including any alcoves or recesses.
• Note the position of the door swing and window sill height, a low sill may prevent placing a bed beneath it.
• Measure the doorframe width and stairwell width, especially in Altbau buildings. Standard Altbau stairwells are often 80-100 cm wide, which affects what size frame and mattress can physically be carried in.
• Mark the mattress footprint on the floor using masking tape. Stand inside it and simulate opening the wardrobe and sitting at the desk. If it feels cramped, go smaller.
• Check the ceiling height near the bed if you're considering a Hochbett (loft bed), Altbau ceilings are often 3 m or higher, making loft beds viable where floor space is tight.

The U8 runs through Neukölln and connects to Hermannplatz, one of the busiest transit hubs in that area. If you're viewing a room near there, note that ground-floor apartments in buildings directly on Hermannstraße can be noisy, worth factoring in when deciding whether you want a desk setup near the window.

Where to rent a mattress in Berlin without long-term commitment

Buying a mattress for a 6-12 month stay in Berlin rarely makes financial sense. A decent mattress costs €150, €400 and reselling it when you leave, through eBay Kleinanzeigen or Facebook Marketplace, typically returns 30-50% of the purchase price at best. You also have to deal with transport and disposal.

UniRents delivers and sets up home essentials, including mattresses, in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt, with no long-term contract required. You pay a monthly rental fee and when your stay ends, the item is collected. For a single mattress in Berlin, this avoids the purchase, transport and resale problem entirely.

This is particularly useful if you're arriving before your Anmeldung (residence registration) is complete, which is often the case, since you need a confirmed address to register but need furniture to make the address liveable. Renting removes the pressure to make large purchases immediately after arrival.

What to watch out for

Hidden furniture clauses in your Mietvertrag

Some WG Mietverträge (rental contracts) include a clause stating that existing furnished items cannot be removed or supplemented without landlord approval. If the room already has a bed frame, adding a second mattress or replacing the existing one may technically require written permission. Read the contract before ordering anything.

Mattress dimensions that don't match German bedding

If you bring a mattress from outside Germany or buy a non-standard size secondhand, you'll struggle to find fitted sheets. German Spannbettlaken (fitted sheets) are sized exactly to standard German mattress dimensions. A 135x190 cm UK-standard mattress will not have a fitted sheet available in any Berlin supermarket.

Stairwell access in Altbau buildings

Berlin's older buildings often have no lift and narrow turning staircases. A 140x200 cm mattress in a box may not physically navigate the stairwell to an upper floor. Check access before ordering or choose a rolled mattress that can be carried vertically.

Timing your Anmeldung correctly

Your Anmeldung must be completed within 14 days of moving into your Berlin address. You need a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation form) to register. Without Anmeldung, you cannot open a German bank account, which affects how you pay rent and deposit. The Kaution (security deposit) in Germany is legally capped at three months' Kaltmiete, make sure you have this ready in cash or bank transfer before you move in.

Common questions

What is the standard mattress size in Germany?

The standard single mattress size in Germany is 90x200 cm. This is the most widely sold size and what most German bed frames and bedding are designed for. The next common size is 140x200 cm, used as a large single or small double.

Will a UK or US mattress size work in a German WG room?

No and the problem isn't just physical fit, it's bedding. A standard UK single is 90x190 cm (10 cm shorter than the German standard). A US twin is 99x190 cm. Neither will have matching Bettwäsche available in German stores. If you buy secondhand, stick to German standard dimensions.

How much does a WG room cost in Berlin in 2024?

It depends on the neighbourhood. In Wedding, expect roughly €480, €650 per month Warmmiete for a 12-14 m² room. Kreuzberg runs €650, €850 for a similar size. Neukölln sits in between at around €550, €700. These figures include Nebenkosten (additional costs) like heating and water but not personal expenses.

Do I need a Schufa for a WG room in Berlin?

Most WG landlords and existing flatmates ask for a Schufa (credit check) as part of the Wohnungsbewerbung (rental application), along with Einkommensnachweise (proof of income) or a university enrolment letter. International students who have just arrived won't have a German Schufa yet, in that case, a letter of guarantee from a parent or a prepaid deposit arrangement is often accepted as a substitute.

Can I rent a mattress in Berlin instead of buying one?

Yes. UniRents offers mattress and furniture rental in Berlin with delivery and setup included and no long-term contract required. This is practical for stays of 3-18 months where buying and reselling furniture isn't cost-effective.