Second-hand in Berlin

Berlin has a busy second-hand scene for students: furniture, books, electronics and bikes change hands constantly between flatshares, graduates leaving the city and people furnishing a first flat. Before you buy anything, especially bigger furniture, it helps to know the official options alongside members' posts here.

• For bulky items such as a sofa, wardrobe or mattress you no longer want, the city's waste utility BSR will collect bulky waste on request; a standard pickup of up to 5 cubic metres costs €100, or €50 if you can wait until day 16 or later for the slot, according to BSR (2025).
• Berlin also runs its own reuse department store, NochMall, operated by BSR, selling furniture, books, household goods and electrical appliances that residents have handed in; it is open six days a week, according to Berlin.de (2025).
• Safety: always see the item in person and check it works before paying, and never send a deposit by bank transfer, gift card or crypto to "hold" an item for you — EduFabTech never takes payments, so any money changes hands directly between buyer and seller, at their own risk.