Finding a rental apartment in Germany: Tips, tricks and more

Lukas Draheim · Real estate expert at rentcard

Published June 12, 2026 · Updated June 12, 2026

8 min read

The German rental market runs on rules that catch many newcomers off guard: apartments are often let without a kitchen, the average tenancy lasts 11 years, and instead of a credit score number like in the US or UK, every landlord expects a CRIF credit report. Knowing these rules from the start saves you weeks.

Moving to Germany from abroad means encountering a tenancy law that heavily protects tenants – and is formalised precisely because of that. Open-ended contracts are the norm; landlords can only terminate them for legally defined reasons (personal use, serious breach of contract). The result: the average tenancy in Germany lasts 11 years, with many tenants staying far longer. Landlords respond by being more thorough in their selection process than in most other countries.

Another difference: Germany has no unified credit score number like the US or UK. Instead, landlords request a credit report from CRIF, which lists outstanding debts, collection proceedings, and insolvency entries. The report contains no numerical score, but a statement on creditworthiness. New to Germany? You may not yet have any CRIF entry at all – that is not a disadvantage as long as your other documents are complete.

Rents in Germany vary enormously – a 70 m² apartment in Munich costs more than twice as much as one in Magdeburg. The figures below are for average existing apartments (not new-build) in typical urban locations:

Major cities: the most expensive markets

Munich is the most expensive market in Germany at 21–24 €/m² net rent – for a 60 m² apartment you pay 1,260–1,440 € cold, plus 200–300 € in utilities. Frankfurt sits at 17–21 €/m², Hamburg at 16–19 €/m², and Stuttgart likewise at 16–19 €/m². Berlin is somewhat cheaper at 14–18 €/m², but demand is so high that good apartments go within 48 hours. Cologne and Düsseldorf run at 13–16 €/m².

Mid-sized cities: affordable alternatives

Those who work remotely or can commute will find significantly better conditions in mid-sized cities. Leipzig, Dresden, and Magdeburg sit at 8–11 €/m², Nuremberg and Hanover at 10–13 €/m², Dortmund and Duisburg similarly. The downside: these markets have also risen noticeably since 2020, and the stock of available apartments is limited in some segments. If you are moving to Munich specifically, the guide to finding an apartment in Munich covers that market in detail.

ImmoScout24 is the largest portal with the widest selection – most searches start there. Immowelt has a long track record and a loyal user base; many exclusive listings appear there that do not appear on ImmoScout24. ohne-makler offers vetted direct-from-owner listings at a high standard of quality. WG-Gesucht is essential for flat-shares and temporary sublets. Kleinanzeigen is worth checking for private landlords who want to avoid agency fees. Wohnglück and Regionalimmobilien24 add strong regional coverage to the mix.

On every platform: create a search profile, set a maximum price range and minimum size, and activate instant email alerts. In Munich or Berlin, apartments are often taken within 2–4 hours – if you only check in the evening, you have often already lost. More specific tips for the digital apartment search are covered in the Wohnungssuche-Tipps article.

An incomplete application is ignored in a competitive market. Assemble all documents before you start actively searching, so you can respond immediately when the right listing appears. These six documents every serious landlord expects:

With rentcard you upload all these documents once and integrate your verified CRIF credit report directly into the folder. When you respond to a listing, you simply send the folder link – no email attachments, no repetition. The article on creating your Bewerbermappe walks through each step in detail.

A viewing in Germany is not a walk-through – it is a mutual getting-to-know-you. The landlord watches how you treat the apartment, what questions you ask, and how you conduct yourself around other applicants. Arrive on time (5 minutes early is considered respectful), dress tidily without being overly formal, and bring your application folder either printed or as a sent link.

Inspect the apartment systematically: look inside all cupboards and check for moisture stains on walls or ceilings. Test all windows (do they open and close easily?). Check the water pressure in the bathroom. Ask for the last two years of annual utility statements (Nebenkostenabrechnung) – large back-payments are a warning sign. More on preparing for viewings is covered in the besichtigungstermin-vorbereiten article.

The rental contract is the most important document in the entire process. Read it in full before signing. Four points deserve particular attention:

Security deposit: capped by law at three months

Under BGB §551, the security deposit may not exceed three months of net cold rent. This is a hard ceiling, not a starting point for negotiation – a higher amount would be legally void. You may pay the deposit in three equal monthly instalments, starting with the first rent payment. The deposit must be held separately from the landlord's personal assets (e.g. in a dedicated escrow account) and returned with interest at the end of the tenancy – the landlord typically has up to six months if utility reconciliations are still pending.

Utilities: advance payment versus flat rate

With a utility advance payment (Vorauszahlung) you pay a monthly estimate and receive an annual reconciliation with either a back-payment or refund. With a utility flat rate (Pauschale) the amount is fixed – no additional charges, but also no refunds. The flat rate sounds more convenient but can become more expensive if heating costs rise. Before signing, ask exactly which utilities are included – heating, water, waste, caretaker, lift?

Notice period: three months as the standard

The statutory notice period for tenants is three months, counted to the end of the month (BGB §573c). For landlords it extends with tenancy length: to six months after five years, and nine months after eight years. Cosmetic repair clauses (Schönheitsreparaturen) are a common source of disputes – blanket renovation obligations (e.g. "repaint every three years") are invalid under Federal Court of Justice (BGH) case law. If your contract contains such a clause, you have no obligation to redecorate when you leave.

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Anmeldung at the residents registration office: mandatory within 14 days

Registration (Anmeldung) is a legal obligation, not a suggestion. You must register at the Einwohnermeldeamt (also called Bürgeramt) of your municipality within 14 days of moving in. Late registration risks a fine of up to 1,000 €. For the registration you need: your passport or ID card, and the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung.

Move-in inspection report: your most important document on day one

The Übergabeprotokoll (move-in inspection report) documents the condition of the apartment on the day keys are handed over. Record all existing defects – scratches, stains, damaged tiles, cracks – in writing and photographs, and have both parties sign the report. Without this document you will find it very difficult to prove at move-out that a defect already existed before your tenancy. Also photograph all meter readings (electricity, gas, water) on day one.

The Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS) entitles you to rent a subsidised social housing apartment at below-market rent. Income limits vary by city and household size: in Munich the limit for a single-person household is around 26,000 € gross annual income, slightly higher in Berlin. Families with children have significantly higher limits.

You apply for a WBS at your city's Wohnungsamt (housing office). Even if your income slightly exceeds the limits, it is worth checking your eligibility – there are different WBS categories (WBS 100, WBS 140, WBS 160) with different thresholds. In cities like Munich or Berlin the stock of social housing is so limited that waiting times of several years are not unusual. Still: apply early, as a WBS cannot be backdated and the waiting time runs from the date of application.