Renting an apartment in Germany

What to know before you rent

Typical rents

Destatis reported an average net cold rent (excluding utilities) of about EUR 7.50 per m2 in 2022, around EUR 8.30 in big cities and about EUR 8.60 for households that moved in from 2019 onward. (source, 2022-12)

Deposits

The deposit (Kaution) may not exceed three months' net cold rent, and tenants may pay it in three equal monthly instalments. Landlords must keep it separate from their own money in an interest-bearing account. (source, 2026)

Leases

Most leases are open-ended. Tenants can give notice by the third working day of a month to end the lease at the end of the month after next (about three months); landlord notice periods grow with tenancy length. (source, 2026)

Tenant rights

In areas designated as tight housing markets (Mietpreisbremse), the starting rent for a new lease may be at most 10% above the local comparative rent; state ordinances under this rule must expire by 31 December 2029. (source, 2026)

Agent fees

Under the 'whoever orders pays' rule, an agent may not charge the tenant a fee unless the agent was engaged exclusively by the tenant to find that flat; in practice landlords usually pay. (source, 2026)

Renting as a foreigner

Anyone moving into a home must register (Anmeldung) with the local registration office within two weeks; the landlord must provide a written move-in confirmation for this. (source, 2026)

Short-term rental rules

• Berlin: Using housing for holiday lets requires a district permit and registration number under the misuse-of-housing ban (Zweckentfremdungsverbot); letting at most 49% of the floor area of your own main residence needs no permit. An amended law implementing the EU short-term-rental regulation took effect 17 June 2026. (source, 2026-06)