More and more people working in Germany are deciding to stay longer, and some even consider moving permanently. If you are thinking about taking this step, one of the most important aspects will be finding the right apartment. In 2025, the rental market in Germany remains highly competitive – over half of the population rents their homes, so finding a place requires patience and a good strategy. Let’s explore how to rent an apartment in Germany.
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Where to Look for Apartments in Germany?
The most effective way to search is still through online portals. Websites such as Immowelt, ImmobilienScout24, Ebay Kleinanzeigen (now Kleinanzeigen.de), Kalaydo, or Meinestadt allow quick contact with landlords and filtering offers by location, size, or price.
Wohngemeinschaft (WG) – shared apartments where a single room is rented – is also very popular. This option is ideal for people just entering the job market or those who want to quickly settle in. The largest number of WG listings can be found on wg-gesucht.de.
Types of Apartments You May Encounter in Germany
Some terms in listings may be new for people from outside Germany. For example:
- Maisonette – duplex apartment
- Souterrain – apartment in the basement
- Penthouse – unit on the top floor
- Loft – large apartment
- Appartement – studio
- Einliegerwohnung – small annex apartment
- Altbau – apartment in an old building with high ceilings
How Much Does Renting an Apartment in Germany Cost in 2025?
Prices continue to rise, especially in major cities. Two key values are usually given in listings:
- Kaltmiete (cold rent) – basic rent
- Warmmiete (warm rent) – rent including utilities (excluding internet and media services)
In 2025, average rental prices are:
- New apartments: approx. €10–11/m²
- Older apartments: approx. €7–8/m²
- Berlin: €11–15/m²
- Hamburg: €12–14/m²
- Cologne and Düsseldorf: €10–13/m²
- Munich: €17–21/m²
- Room in the city center: from €550–600/month
- Furnished 2-room apartment in a mid-sized city: from €1000–1200/month
Additional Costs When Renting Apartments in Germany
At the start of a lease, a security deposit is almost always required – from one to three months’ basic rent (Kaltmiete).
Average monthly utility costs in 2025:
- Utilities (electricity, water, heating, garbage): €220–370
- Internet 50–100 Mb/s: €35–55
- TV license fee (GEZ): €18.36
- Streaming platforms: €8–18
Documents Required to Rent
Landlords still expect basic proof of financial reliability. The main documents required are:
- ID document
- Proof of registration (Anmeldung)
- Bank statements from the last 3 months
- Schufa – credit report
- Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung – confirmation of no rent arrears at the previous residence
What Should a Rental Agreement Include in Germany?
A properly prepared lease (Mietvertrag) includes:
- Duration of the lease
- Rent amount (cold and, if applicable, warm)
- Utility costs
- Notice period (usually 3 months)
- Security deposit
- Rules for rent increases
- Inventory list if the apartment is furnished
- House rules
- Maintenance and repair regulations
When handing over the apartment, an inventory and condition protocol must be drawn up, which is crucial for getting your deposit back.
Important! For people taking jobs in Germany through employment agencies, housing can be much easier to arrange. In many cases, the employee already receives a room or apartment provided by the agency. Sometimes, the agency presents several housing options, and costs are partially or fully covered by the employer, although sometimes the employee pays for the chosen accommodation. This means you do not always have to search for an apartment on your own – the agency assists in finding a place to live, making it much easier to start in a new country.
On our platform, there are many job offers in Germany with housing included, allowing you to plan both work and comfortable accommodation from the start.
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