Warmmiete vs Kaltmiete vs Nebenkosten: What They Really Mean (Simple Guide)
- Barbara Okwufulueze
- Nov 29
- 3 min read
If you’re new to Germany, rental ads can look confusing. Terms like Kaltmiete, Warmmiete, and Nebenkosten appear everywhere — and understanding them is essential before signing any rental contract.
In many countries, rent includes everything. In Germany, it doesn’t.
Let's break down each term in simple English so you can estimate your true monthly rental cost and avoid unpleasant surprises.
1. What Is Kaltmiete? (Cold Rent)
Kaltmiete is the base rent you pay for the apartment itself. It does not include utilities or extra costs.
What Kaltmiete includes:
The physical living space (rooms, walls, floors)
The right to use the property
That’s all. Nothing more.
What Kaltmiete does NOT include:
Heating
Water
Garbage collection
Building cleaning
Elevator maintenance
Internet
Electricity
Gas
Any other utilities
Think of Kaltmiete as the “bare minimum” rent. It’s the price for the empty apartment, nothing else.
2. What Are Nebenkosten? (Additional Costs)
Nebenkosten are the mandatory additional costs you pay on top of Kaltmiete. These are costs required to run the building and provide essential services.
Nebenkosten are sometimes called:
“Betriebskosten” (operating costs)
“Umlagefähige Kosten” (transferable costs)
What Nebenkosten usually include:
Heating (sometimes, not always — more about that below)
Water supply
Garbage collection
Building cleaning
Snow removal/gardening
House caretaker (Hausmeister)
Building insurance
Elevator maintenance
Shared lighting (e.g., staircases)
What Nebenkosten usually do NOT include:
Electricity for your apartment
Internet/WiFi
TV license fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)
Gas (if billed directly by provider)
Important: Electricity (Strom) is almost always paid separately to the provider you choose.
3. What Is Warmmiete? (Warm Rent)
Warmmiete is the total rent you pay each month.
Warmmiete = Kaltmiete + Nebenkosten
Some Warmmiete includes heating. Some don’t. It depends on whether heating is part of the Nebenkosten.
Warmmiete may include:
Base rent (Kaltmiete)
Utilities (Nebenkosten)
Heating costs (Heizkosten) — only if listed
Warmmiete does NOT include:
Your electricity bill
Internet
Phone / mobile data
TV license (Rundfunkbeitrag)
Parking fees (unless specified)
Example:
Kaltmiete: €700
Nebenkosten: €200➝ Warmmiete: €900
But you will still pay:
Electricity (€40–€70 monthly)
Internet (€25–€40 monthly)
TV/radio fee (€18.36 monthly per household)
4. The Confusing Part: Heating Costs (Heizkosten)
Heating can be the trickiest part of German rent.
There are 3 possibilities:
(A) Heating INCLUDED in Nebenkosten
This is common and means heating is part of your Warmmiete.
(B) Heating EXCLUDED from Nebenkosten
In this case, heating is billed directly by a provider. You will see “zzgl. Heizkosten” (plus heating costs).
(C) Partial heating cost included
Some buildings include a base heating fee, but you pay extra based on consumption.
Always check: “Heizkosten inklusive?”If the heating is not included, your monthly cost will be higher.
5. How to Estimate Your TRUE Housing Cost (Important!)
Warmmiete is not your final monthly cost. New immigrants often underestimate this.
Expected monthly extras:
Electricity (Strom): €40–€90
Internet: €25–€40
TV license: €18.36 per household
Heating (if not included): €60–€150
Gas (if separate): €30–€80
Example of TOTAL housing costs:
Kaltmiete = €700
Nebenkosten = €200
Electricity = €60
Internet = €30
TV license = €18.36
Heating (excluded) = €90
👉 Real monthly cost = €1,098.36
This is why understanding rental terms is essential.
6. How to Read a German Rental Listing (Quick Guide)
You may see terms like:
✔ KM / Kaltmiete = base rent
✔ NK / Nebenkosten = additional costs
✔ WM / Warmmiete = total rent
✔ zzgl. HK = heating not included
✔ inkl. HK = heating included
If anything is unclear, always ask the landlord.
7. Common Mistakes Immigrants Make
❌ Mistake #1: Thinking Warmmiete includes electricity
No — electricity (Strom) is almost always separate.
❌ Mistake #2: Ignoring heating costs
If heating is not included, your bills can be high in winter.
❌ Mistake #3: Assuming Nebenkosten is fixed
Nebenkosten is an estimate. Once a year, you get a bill (Nebenkostenabrechnung) —and you may have to pay extra.
❌ Mistake #4: Underestimating Germany’s paperwork
Always ask for a breakdown of Nebenkosten.
Understanding the differences between Kaltmiete, Nebenkosten, and Warmmiete is essential for estimating the true cost of living in Germany. Once you know what’s included — and what isn’t — renting becomes much easier and less stressful.
Now that you know these terms, you can read rental listings with confidence and avoid unexpected expenses.
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