The International Campus Group (IC) has implemented a new residential category under its THE FIZZ brand. The company, known as an investor, developer, portfolio holder and operator in the student and urban living segment, is thereby responding to the specific requirements of international students in Germany.
THE FIZZ Plus comprises apartments that offer complete furnishings, from cooking utensils to bedding. This allows international students to start their studies immediately, without having to worry about setting up a household beforehand. The introduction followed a successful pilot project in Berlin and positive experiences in Vienna.
Market analysis and demand
The expansion is based on significant market development. A current study by JLL, “German PBSA Market Perspectives 2026”, forecasts approximately 469,500 international students in Germany for the winter semester 2025/26. This corresponds to an increase of 46 percent compared to 2014. This group now accounts for around 30 percent of all first-year students. The existing housing market is currently slow to offer solutions tailored to this target group, characterised by immediate availability, full furnishings and calculable all-inclusive rental costs. THE FIZZ Plus aims to close this gap.
THE FIZZ Plus goes beyond classically furnished apartments. The amenities include kitchen utensils, a microwave, a coffee machine, bedding, a Bluetooth speaker, and a projector or TV; the exact scope may vary depending on the location. These apartments are bookable as a separate category. The surcharge for these additional amenities is moderate and is integrated into the all-inclusive rental price.
- —Aachen
- —Berlin
- —Bremen
- —Darmstadt
- —Frankfurt
- —Hamburg
- —Hannover
- —Prague
- —Vienna
The new category is being introduced at nine locations, including Aachen, Berlin, Bremen, Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Prague and Vienna. Further locations are to follow by the academic year 2027/28.
Successful implementation and sustainability
Gawain Smart, CEO of International Campus Group, stated that approximately 80 percent of the tenants are international students, including guest, Erasmus and dual-study students. This group desires immediate occupancy upon arrival without prior acquisition of household items. THE FIZZ Plus addresses this problem.
The pilot project at THE FIZZ Berlin Kreuzberg achieved full occupancy in its first rental cycle, confirming the significant demand in this segment. The concept has also been very well received at the newly introduced locations. For the locations, the new category generates additional revenue from the existing portfolio, with the investment per apartment described as manageable.
Another aspect is sustainability. As international students often stay in one place for only one or two semesters, furniture and household items are frequently purchased new and then disposed of. The furnishings of THE FIZZ Plus apartments remain in the apartment, are checked, cleaned and, if necessary, replaced between tenancies. This reduces the need for multiple purchases by successive tenants. Christina Gentsch, Head of Sales and Marketing, Germany, noted that the feedback from the pilot project clearly demonstrates a market for high-quality, all-inclusive apartments for students.
