Understand the Rental Market
Before diving into the rental process, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the German rental market, including average rents, neighbourhoods, and the property types available.
Types of rentals
Unfurnished long-term flats
Most rental contracts are long-term, and apartments are often unfurnished.
Often there is:
No built-in kitchen (or you “take over” the kitchen from previous tenants)
No lights or curtains
Just the walls, floors and bathroom
Furnished / temporary rentals
You’ll also find:
Furnished flats for 3–12 months
Company apartments
Short-term options for interns, students, contractors
Rents are usually much higher for furnished places.
Kaltmiete, Warmmiete & Nebenkosten
You’ll see different prices in advertisements:
Kaltmiete — basic rent for the flat
Nebenkosten — monthly prepayments for building costs (heating, water, garbage, cleaning, etc.)
Warmmiete — Kaltmiete + Nebenkosten
When you budget, focus on Warmmiete, plus separate costs like:
Electricity (often a separate supplier contract)
Internet & TV licence fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)
Household insurance, if you choose it
The typical rental process
Research & set your budget
Decide on the city, neighbourhoods, and flat size
Calculate what you can comfortably pay each month (Warmmiete). Set a clear budget for your monthly rent, and always include utilities (Nebenkosten) in your calculations. See this article on Kaltmiete, Warmmiete, Nebenkosten.
Set aside the deposit (up to 3 months’ Kaltmiete)
Search for apartments
Use major online portals such as ImmobilienScout24, WG-Gesucht, social media, or local real estate agencies. Consider checking local newspapers and community boards for listings.
Set alerts for your criteria.
Respond quickly to new listings.
Prepare your documents
Personal identification (passport or ID card)
Proof of income (e.g., salary slips or employment contract)
SCHUFA (if you have one): a credit report showing your creditworthiness
Rental history or landlord references (if applicable)
Mieterselbstauskunft
A short intro message in German (or English, where acceptable)
Apply & attend viewings
Follow instructions in the ad (email, portal form, etc.). Contact landlords or agents to arrange viewings of the properties you are interested in. Be prepared to act quickly, as rental properties can be competitive.
Submit your application promptly. Include a cover letter and all required documentation. Be polite, concise, and provide consistent data. Download the German rental toolkit.
At the viewing, ask about costs, neighbours, heating, internet, and other relevant details.
Offer & contract
If the landlord chooses you, they’ll send a draft rental contract (Mietvertrag)
Read and review the rental agreement (Mietvertrag) carefully, ask questions, and request clarification. Pay attention to the lease duration, rent amount and payment terms, utilities and maintenance responsibilities, and the deposit amount (Kaution, typically 2-3 months’ rent). For more details on your rental agreement, learn how to read a Mietvertrag.
Once signed by both parties, the tenancy is binding
Deposit & move-in
Pay the deposit (Kaution) and the first month’s rent. Transfer the security deposit to the landlord’s account, which is typically held in a separate account and returned upon moving out, provided there are no damages.
Obtain the keys and complete the full handover protocol with photos. Once everything is signed and the deposit is paid, you can move in. Make sure to document the property’s condition at handover. See the moving-in checklist for more details.
Register your address and settle in. Within two weeks of moving in, you must register your new address at the local citizens’ office (Bürgeramt).
Understand Your Rights and Responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with tenant rights in Germany, including notice periods, rent increases, and maintenance responsibilities.
You are typically responsible for:
Paying rent on time
Treating the property carefully
Following house rules (Hausordnung)
Reporting damage or issues promptly
Your landlord is responsible for:
Keeping the property in a usable, safe condition
Dealing with major repairs
Respecting your privacy and legal notice periods
For details, see Tenant Rights in Germany
Timelines & expectations
In big cities:
Flats can be gone within hours
It’s normal to apply for many apartments
It may take weeks to find something reasonable
In smaller towns:
There is often less competition
More communication happens directly with private landlords
But the supply can still be limited
Renting in Germany is structured and governed by rules. Once you understand the basic terminology, costs and steps, the system can feel much less intimidating. Use this guide as a reference and follow the links to dive deeper into each topic. Once settled, enjoy living in your new rental property and the vibrant culture of Germany!
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