Accommodation in Germany

Finding a place to stay in Germany will be your first priority as a new arrival. A comfortable home in an area that’s suited to your lifestyle will go a long way toward easing the transition to your new surroundings.

Accommodation in Germany ranges from furnished apartments and maisonettes to trendy studio apartments, cottages, and large family homes. Luckily, there are many options for reasonably priced housing in most cities.

Further away from city centres, house hunters will find more iconic German Fachwerk (half-timbered) houses, cottages, and Bauernhause (farmhouses).

Most expats rent rather than buy property in Germany because of the short-term nature of most assignments, but most locals also rent their homes.

Types of accommodation in Germany

Your choice of property will depend on where in Germany you are moving to. Generally, within the city centres of major urban hubs, most people tend to live in apartments. The standard of accommodation in Germany is on par with other Western European countries. Properties are often comfortable but small, air conditioning isn’t common (and rarely necessary), and adequate heating is essential in winter.

If you want to rent property in cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich, you will find that housing costs are determined mainly by location; the closer someone lives to the city centre, the more they can expect to pay.

Many people look for accommodation in outlying suburbs, where they get a better balance between price and space than ‘downtown’ areas. One benefit of living in Germany is having access to efficient public transport regardless of where you live.

Home security shouldn’t be a major issue either. Although petty theft does occur, especially in the downtown areas of major cities, home invasions and violent crimes are rare, so you will generally feel safe in your home.

Furnished vs unfurnished

Although furnished rentals are becoming more popular in urban centres, most of the rentals in Germany are unfurnished. These rental properties often come entirely bare, without even basic fixtures like light fittings and kitchen cabinets. This can make initial renting costs in Germany quite pricey, but unfurnished rentals are often more affordable than their furnished counterparts.

While shipping furniture to Germany – particularly from within the EU – is a viable option, you shouldn’t have much trouble buying items to kit out your new home after you arrive. Most German cities have plenty of shops that sell new, second-hand and antique furniture.

Furnished apartments typically include everything from a bed, light fixtures, and appliances to cutlery and bedding. They are normally more suitable for expats who will only be in the country briefly.

Read more

• Short-term Rental Accommodation in Germany

Finding accommodation in Germany

Finding a property to rent in Germany is relatively easy. You can search online or check social media networks; using a real estate agent can sometimes cost as much as a month’s rent.

Once you’ve found a suitable property, you must arrange a date for a viewing (Bezichtiging) with the landlord. Group viewings are common, and there may be as many as 20 other potential tenants at a single viewing.

Once you’ve found the right property, express interest immediately. Landlords often determine the shortlist for rental applications themselves.

Useful links

• ImmoScout24
• Kleinanzeigen
• HousingAnywhere

Renting accommodation in Germany

The availability of rental property varies from location to location. In the major cities, properties tend to move quickly as the demand is high, so you must act promptly to secure a suitable place.

Making an application

Once you find a property you like, you should start by arranging a viewing with the landlord or agent. If the property is particularly popular, the landlord may hold a group viewing. If interested in a property you’ve viewed, express interest as soon as possible to the landlord or agent.

Ensure your paperwork is in order so you can apply swiftly. You will usually be required to provide a copy of your ID, work permit (if applicable) and payslips or an employment contract.

Leases

To secure the property, you must sign a Mietvertrag (rental contract). The contract contains details about the property and the tenant’s rights and obligations. Before signing the agreement, determine whether the quoted rental amount includes utility costs.

Read the tenancy agreement carefully to ensure you understand how much notice is required to terminate a lease early. Once the contract is signed, both parties are legally bound. It’s essential that you fully understand the document and that you get the document translated into English if it is in German.

Deposits

You’ll need to pay a security deposit of one to three months’ rent, which can be paid in three equal monthly instalments.

Termination of the lease

Most rental contracts in Germany are a year long, and if either party wants to terminate the lease early, they’ll need to provide three months’ notice. Tenants should carefully note inventory and formally report any damages to the property to ensure the security deposit can be returned in full at the end of the lease.

Utilities in Germany

Typically, utilities are not included in the rental cost in Germany. Whether you rent a furnished or unfurnished apartment, utility costs are an additional housing expense you’ll have to budget for.

Electricity

The electricity market in Germany is deregulated, meaning you can often choose your own supplier unless your landlord has a contract with an existing supplier. You can decide between a fixed or dynamic rate contract. Some homes will have two metres, one for the day and one for nighttime, when electricity prices are frequently lower.

Some major electricity suppliers include E.ON, RWE, and Vattenfall. To sign up for an electricity contract, you must provide your proof of identity, rental agreement, German bank account details, and meter information. You can submit this information online, in person at the supplier’s office, or by telephone.

Electricity bills are frequently paid through a direct debit from your bank account. The bills are typically sent annually and will be based on your actual consumption.

Gas

Natural gas is typically used for cooking and heating homes in Germany. The easiest way to connect gas and enjoy discounts is to use the same company for your electricity and gas.

Similarly to electricity, you can set up your gas account by providing your identity, bank account, meter, and rental information documents to your chosen supplier. Gas bills are typically sent monthly or bi-monthly, and you can make payment through a direct debit or bank transfer.

Water

Local municipalities are responsible for treating and supplying water in Germany, so the connection process will be based on where you live. Regardless of where you live, you can expect superior water quality throughout Germany. In some cases, water will be included as part of your monthly rental fee.

If you have to set up your own water services, you can contact your local municipality online, telephonically or at their nearest office to request connection services. You’ll typically have to supply them with your identity documents, rental agreement, meter information, and bank details.

Water bills are sent out monthly or quarterly and will be based on your actual consumption. There are several easy ways to make payments.

Bins and recycling

Waste management in Germany is overseen by local municipalities. Residents are generally required to separate their waste at source into designated bins. The colours of these bins differ across municipalities. Waste is typically categorised into residual waste, recyclables, and biowaste.

The collection frequency will vary based on the type of waste and the municipality. Germany has one of the highest recycling rates in the world, so familiarise yourself with your municipality’s recycling practices. Recycling is taken fairly seriously here.

Read Keeping in Touch in Germany to learn more about the country’s mobile, internet, and cable services.

Useful links

• Check24
• Berliner Wasserbetriebe
• Mainova AG
• Stadtwerke München GmbH
• Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety