Kleinanzeigen (formerly eBay Kleinanzeigen) is Germany’s dominant second-hand marketplace — the equivalent of Craigslist in the US, but much more widely used and with better built-in safety features. Almost everything you need for a student apartment can be found here for a fraction of retail price.
What You Can Realistically Find
Furniture, kitchen appliances, bicycles, electronics, textbooks, and clothing. German apartments are often rented unfurnished, which means students and young professionals constantly cycle furniture. A functional IKEA desk goes for €20–40, a solid bed frame for €50–100, and a working washing machine for €80–150. Branded electronics (MacBooks, monitors, cameras) are listed constantly by students leaving Germany.
How the Platform Works
Listings are free for private sellers. You browse by category and location, filter by price range and radius, and contact sellers via the built-in chat. Payment is agreed between buyer and seller — cash on pickup is standard for local transactions, Kleinanzeigen Pay (escrow-like) exists for shipping.
Staying Safe as a Buyer
For anything over €50: insist on viewing the item before paying. Scam listings are common — they use professional product photos (clearly not the seller’s photo), list items at unusually low prices, and ask you to pay via bank transfer before “shipping.” If a seller cannot meet in person, move on.
When meeting: bring exact cash. Meet in a public place or at the seller’s front door for furniture. Test electronics before handing over money.
Selling Your Stuff When You Leave
List items individually with clear photos taken in daylight (not at night with a phone flash). Price at roughly 40–60% of original retail for items in good condition; less for items with visible wear. Cheap items (under €10) move faster if you bundle them into lots. Set your location correctly — buyers filter by distance.
Useful German Phrases
“Ist der Preis noch verhandelbar?” (Is the price negotiable?) — accepted everywhere. “Kann ich das Gerät testen?” (Can I test the device?) — always ask for electronics. “Ich würde es direkt abholen” (I would pick it up immediately) — sellers prefer immediate pickup and will sometimes reduce the price for it.
