Searching for an apartment in Germany can be an exciting yet challenging experience, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the local market. Unlike in many other countries, renting is exceptionally common in Germany, with most residents choosing to rent rather than own their homes. In fact, over 50% of the population rents, making Germany one of the highest renting nations in Europe. This dynamic creates a large and varied rental market, offering a wide range of options to suit different needs and budgets.
Through this guide, we will walk you through the essentials of the German rental market. You’ll learn about the different types of apartments available, essential documents you’ll need to provide to find your ideal home in Germany.
Understanding the German housing market
Furnished vs Unfurnished Apartments
One unique aspect of the German housing market is its tendency towards unfurnished apartments. Unlike in some countries where renting a furnished apartment is the norm, in Germany, most rentals come unfurnished. And when we say unfurnished, it means completely unfurnished.
This excludes not only furniture or kitchen appliances such as ovens and fridges, but also basic kitchen furniture like countertops or storage spaces. It also excludes light bulbs, curtains, etc.
This means you as a tenant are responsible for furnishing your apartment from scratch in addition to managing the utilities such as electricity and internet. However, you can also find partially furnished apartments that come with essentials, often including a built-in kitchen (Einbauküche), which will have the countertop, storage spaces and some basic electrical appliances such as stove, oven or even a refrigerator. There are also fully furnished apartments available, but they tend to be very expensive. So, whether you’re looking for a completely empty apartment or an easy to move in one, there are plenty of options available in the market.
Rooms are counted differently
In Germany, apartments are listed by the total number of rooms, not by bedrooms alone. A “3-room apartment,” for example, typically means two bedrooms and one living room, with a kitchen and bathroom(s) counted separately. This system can be confusing at first but understanding it will help you better interpret apartment listings and find the layout that meets your needs.
Being aware of this unique counting system can also save you time in your search, as it’s common to assume “3 rooms” means three bedrooms, which is usually not the case.
Rental Period
A significant cultural aspect of renting in Germany is the rental period. A minimum lease term of one year is common, and in some cases, contracts may extend up to three years. Make sure to discuss the rental period with the landlord before signing, as early termination may not always be possible except under certain circumstances.
5 Tips for finding accommodation in Germany
1. Don’t wait around
Act quickly when searching for an apartment. New listings get snapped up almost immediately, so explore and register on online platforms used for finding residential properties in Germany. As soon as you find a suitable option, reach out to the landlord or property manager without delay. Here are a few popular platforms used to search residential properties:
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ImmobilienScout24: The largest real estate portal, widely used for both long-term and short-term rentals.
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Immonet & Immowelt: Similar to ImmobilienScout24, with a variety of listings.
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WG-Gesucht: Ideal for finding shared apartments or temporary housing.
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Kleinanzeigen: Often has private listings not found on other platforms.
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Wohnungsbörse: A rental-focused platform featuring listings across many German cities, often with unique offers not found on larger sites.
Make sure your profile is complete on these platforms. A well-prepared profile gives you an advantage when your application is reviewed by the landlord or property manager, showing that you’re organized and serious about your search. Many platforms also allow you to save your search results and set up alerts, so you’ll be notified immediately when new listings that match your criteria are available. This can help you stay ahead in the competitive German rental market.
2. Be prepared to compromise
Everyone dreams of finding the perfect apartment with a spacious layout, a central location, and low rent. However, in cities with high demand, it’s difficult to find all of these in one place. Be prepared to compromise on factors like size, location, or price to secure a home that meets your essential needs.
3. Have all your documents ready
Before you apply for an apartment, make sure you have all necessary documents prepared. These typically include:
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Copy of passport or ID: A must for any rental application
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Proof of income: Often the last three months’ payslips or a contract showing your salary.
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Schufa credit report: This German credit score is crucial for landlords to assess your financial reliability.
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Certificate of exemption from rental costs (Mietkostenfreiheitsbescheinigung): A certificate from your previous landlord proving that you’ve paid your rent on time (not always requested, but good to have).
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Private liability insurance: Sometimes it’s mandatory. It’s recommended as it protects you from personal liability in case of accidents.
4. Know the neighbourhoods
Each city in Germany has its unique neighbourhoods, and it’s important to explore different areas before deciding where to live. For example, the following neighbourhoods in Dresden are pretty popular:
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Striesen: A calm, family-friendly neighbourhood with spacious apartments.
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Neustadt: Known for its vibrant nightlife, popular among students and young professionals.
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Johannstadt: Offers a mix of historic charm and modern living, closer to the city center.
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Blasewitz: Popular among professionals and families looking for a quieter, yet well-connected area in Dresden.
5. Handing over the apartment
When moving into your new apartment, the handover protocol (Übergabeprotokoll) is a crucial part of the process. This document details the condition of the apartment at the time of handover. As a tenant, it’s important that you carefully inspect the apartment for any damage or issues, such as scratches or broken fixtures. You should report immediately any major issues in the apartment to your landlord/property manager so that arrangement of repairs can be made. Also make sure that minor damages are noted in the handover protocol so that you won’t be held responsible when moving out.
First steps after getting the keys
Once you’ve secured your new apartment and received the keys, there are several administrative tasks to complete:
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Register or update your address (Anmeldung/Ummeldung): Within 14 days of moving into a new residence, you must register your address at the local citizen’s office (Bürgeramt). If this is your first address in Germany, it’s called Registration (Anmeldung); if you’re changing houses in Germany, it’s an Address Update (Unmeldung). For both, you’ll need to bring your ID, Rental Agreement, and a Landlord Confirmation Document (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Completing this task on time prevents you from getting fined.
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Register electricity and internet: You have 14 days from your move-in date to choose a provider and set up your utilities, including electricity and internet. Many providers allow you to arrange this in advance, so you can have services ready as soon as you move in.
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Set up liability insurance: This insurance can cover damages you accidentally cause to your apartment or other people’s property.
In Germany, the Broadcasting Fee (Rundfunkgebühr) is a mandatory monthly charge of about €18.36 that every household must pay, regardless of whether you own a TV, radio, or other media devices. It’s advisable to proactively register for the fee as soon as you move in, rather than waiting to receive a notice from the Broadcasting Fee Service (Beitragsservice). The obligation to pay begins once you’ve registered your residence (Anmeldung) successfully. So, registering on your own prevents back payments and ensures that your payments are handled smoothly from the start.
As you may have guessed by now, apartment search in Germany can be a daunting task, especially for newcomers. But by understanding the nuances of the market, being well-prepared, and acting quickly, you can significantly increase your chances of finding your right home.
Our relocation service will help you find accommodation and take care of all the necessary steps. Find out more on our relocation page.
