Housing

Germans prefer to rent, which means it could be difficult for an expat to find a suitable apartment in the popular cities because of the high demand. If it goes down to a bidding war, we wish you good luck as German workers rank among the highest paid in the EU.

This being the case, be prepared to apartment hunt for a long time—prepare in advance and do it before you leave your home country or be prepared for a long-stay deal at a German hotel or transient home.

You have three options of finding your home in Germany: a) get someone to do it for you, b) try your luck with websites or classifieds, or c) the old-fashioned way through word of mouth. Landlords usually favor suggestions from ex-tenants and a favorable recommendation goes a long way especially if you are just starting to lay down roots.

Price

The average rent for a flat or a house in Germany is around 1,300 EU (1,400 USD) while 700 EUR (770 USD) a month gets you a one-bedroom apartment in the trendier areas. Rent outside city centers are obviously cheaper. You will need to present your passport or ID to your landlord as well as three recent pay slips or bank statements within the last three months.

Utilities

Your rent typically covers certain utilities such as water, waste disposal and property tax. The landlord computes your household’s potential annual water consumption and if you do exceed the estimate by a huge margin, they may increase your bill the following year.

For electricity, the tenant would have to open a subscription with the local supplier.