Renting in Germany: Everything you need to know
Recently moved to Germany and need a place? In this guide, we'll show you everything you need to know about renting in Germany.
Renting in Frankfurt, Germany as an American: What to know
Frankfurt is a top choice for expats, and it's easy to see why. The city has a great transportation system and extensive links to other European destinations. It's also very safe and packed with excellent restaurants, nightlife and cafes.
But renting in Frankfurt isn't cheap. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs about 1,253 EUR per month on average. For a 3-bedroom, you're looking at around 2,211 EUR. That said, Frankfurt also has plenty of job opportunities with good salaries.¹
Whether you're relocating for work or to enjoy the world-famous beer festivals, this guide will walk you through everything you need to successfully rent in Frankfurt, Germany.
| 🚀 Use Wise to send high-speed, low-fee transfers to Germany and spend like a local, even for large payments like rent. |
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Can an American rent property in Frankfurt, Germany?
Yes, Americans can rent property in Frankfurt. However, you'll need to have the legal right to live in Germany, which usually means having a valid visa or residence permit.
When you're looking for a place to rent, be prepared to show:
- your passport
- proof of income (like pay slips or financial statements)
- your visa or residence permit
Some landlords might be hesitant to rent to someone who's new to the country. If you're having trouble, consider using a real estate agent to hunt for apartments for rent in Frankfurt, Germany.
How much is rent in Frankfurt?
Rent in Frankfurt is higher than in many other German cities. You can expect to pay an average rental price of 1,253 EUR for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center. A 3-bedroom in central Frankfurt costs about 2,211 EUR per month.¹
The rental market outside of the city center is less expensive. For a 1-bedroom apartment, the average rent is 931 EUR per month. For a 3-bedroom, it drops down to 1,497 EUR, which is a good deal.¹
Here's how renting in Frankfurt compares to other German cities.
| City | Monthly rent (1-bedroom apartment, city centre) |
|---|---|
| Frankfurt | 1,253 EUR¹ |
| Berlin | 1,199 EUR² |
| Hamburg | 1,039 EUR³ |
| Munich | 1,443 EUR⁴ |
| Dusseldorf | 918 EUR⁵ |
| Wondering how much that would cost in USD? Check out this handy conversion calculator |
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As you can see, Frankfurt is on the pricier side, together with Munich and Berlin.
| 💡 Considering buying instead of renting? Learn more about buying property in Germany in our full guide. |
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What additional costs will apply?
When renting in Frankfurt, you'll also need to cover the cost of the utilities and pay the internet bill.
| Category | Average cost (per month)¹ |
|---|---|
| Utilities | 304 EUR |
| Internet | 40 EUR |
You'll often see two terms when looking at rent prices: "cold rent" (kaltmiete) and "warm rent" (warmmiete).
Cold rent is the basic rent for the apartment not including any extra costs. Warm rent includes the cold rent plus additional costs like heating, water and other utilities.
The warm rent gives you a better idea of your total monthly expenses.
What documents do I need to rent in Frankfurt?
When applying for an apartment in Frankfurt, you'll typically need to show:
- Passport or ID: A valid form of identification
- Proof of employment: A work contract, a letter from your employer or recent financial statements
- Schufa credit report: German credit score to show your financial reliability
- Visa: A residence permit also works
- References: Letters from previous landlords can be helpful
Your landlord may also ask you to fill out an application form.
If you don't have proof of employment, it can be difficult to find a rental. That said, you may be able to use a guarantor (who'll typically need to be a German citizen or resident) or pay a larger security deposit.
Renting abroad? Send money the hassle-free way with Wise
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Types of property to rent in Frankfurt
While actual freestanding houses are hard to find in main Frankfurt, there are many housing options available in the form of apartment rentals.
Apartments: The most common type of rental property in Frankfurt, from small studios to large flats. You can find apartments to accommodate everyone from single professionals to large families
Shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaft or WG): These are popular with students and young professionals and can be a great way to reduce living costs and meet new people. You'll typically rent a room in a larger flat with shared common areas like a kitchen and a living room
Student housing: In recent years, many student housing buildings have popped up around the city. These buildings have smaller-sized studios, often with some shared amenities like kitchens or common spaces
Short-term rentals: If you're staying in Frankfurt for a short time or need a place while searching for more permanent housing, you can use a platform like Airbnb
Sublets: There's an active sublet culture in Frankfurt. You can often find rooms or entire apartments available for periods of 1-6 months while tenants travel or go home on school breaks
Most apartments with long-term leases (typically a year or more) come unfurnished. This means you'll need to buy your own furniture and appliances. Short-term rentals and sublets usually come furnished.
How do I find a property to rent in Frankfurt?
There are a few ways to find high-quality housing in Frankfurt.
- Real estate websites: You can use websites like Immobilien Scout24 and Frankfurt Rentals to browse available rentals online
- Hiring a realtor: Real estate agents charge a fee, but they save you time and help navigate the rental market
- Social media: Facebook groups and other social media media sites for expats in Frankfurt can be good sources for rental listings
- University boards: If you're a student, your university might have housing resources
- Walking around: Walk around different neighborhoods looking for "For Rent" signs
If you've never been to Frankfurt before, it can be a great idea to rent something short-term using a website like Airbnb and spend a few weeks looking for a place when you're already in Frankfurt.
This way you can figure out which neighborhood you like best for your lifestyle.
What are the best sites to find a place to live?
Some of the best renting websites in Germany include:
- Immobilien Scout24 (only in German)
- Frankfurt Rentals
- Wunderflats
- Rentberry
Alternatively, if you’re looking for roommates these websites might be helpful:
Plus, Facebook groups are a good resource.
How to avoid scams when renting in Frankfurt?
Frankfurt is a safe European city with a high quality of living. However, as an expat, you can become a target of rental scams.
Here are some tips to avoid them:
- Never pay money before seeing the apartment in person
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true
- Always get a proper rental contract
- Don't feel pressured to decide on the spot
- Be cautious of landlords who only want to communicate via email or online messages and never meet you in person
- Check that the person you're dealing with actually has the right to rent out the property (especially when subletting)
Don't be afraid to double-check the details and ask for more information if you have any questions. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
Things to consider when looking for a place to live
When apartment hunting in Frankfurt, it's helpful to make a list with important criteria for you. This makes the process more intentional and organized.
Here are a few things you might consider adding to your list:
- Location
- Proximity to work/school and public transportation
- Budget
- Size
- Amenities (like a washing machine or parking space)
- Natural light
- Heating system
- Cooling system (especially in the summer)
- Noise levels
- Building condition and any repairs needed
- Contract length
- Pet policies (if you have a pet or planning on getting one)
Start by looking at a few popular neighborhoods, such as Bornheim and Kronberg, to see different options and start narrowing them down.
How to apply for a property to rent in Frankfurt
Once you've found a place you like, here's how to apply:
- Contact the landlord to arrange a viewing
- See the apartment in person and meet the landlord
- Gather all necessary paperwork to apply (if you're using a real estate agent, they can help with this)
- Submit your application to the landlord
- Wait for the landlord to review your application
- Carefully read and sign the rental agreement
- Pay your security deposit and first month's rent
| ⏰ Within 2 weeks of moving in, you must register your new address at the local Bürgeramt (citizen's office) |
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Real estate agents or brokers
Using a real estate agent or a broker to find your apartment comes with a fee, but it can be worth it.
Without an agent, it can take you a long time to find a place. For many, the cost of living in hotels or short-term rentals while they look for a permanent home outweighs the fees that come with working with a real estate agent.
Some trusted agencies include:
Tenancy contracts in Frankfurt
Rental contracts in Frankfurt are typically quite detailed and protect both the tenant and the landlord. Most contracts are long-term, often for at least a year.
Tenant laws and rights
Germany has strong tenant protection laws.
- There are limits on how much landlords can increase rent
- Landlords must give proper notice before asking a tenant to leave
- Landlords are responsible for most major repairs
- The maximum security deposit is 3 times your cold rent, and it must be returned when you move out (if there's no damage)⁶
- You have the right to the peaceful use of your rented property
Make sure to read your rental contract before signing so you're clear on what your responsibilities are. This will help avoid conflicts and misunderstandings with your landlord in the future.
Terms to know
If you’re searching for an apartment on your own, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with some German rental terms:
- Altbau: Old building (built before 1945)
- Neubau: Modern building (built after 1945)
- Kaltmiete: “Cold rent" with no utilities included
- Warmmiete: “Warm rent” that typically includes some or all utilities
- Wohnung zu vermieten: Apartment for rent
- Die Wohnung: Flat/apartment
- Möbiliert: Furnished
- Der Parkplatz: Parking space
- Wohngemeinschaft: Shared apartment
- Makler: Real estate agent
What are the best neighborhoods in Frankfurt, Germany?
Where to live in Frankfurt depends on what types of activities you like and what your rent budget is. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Frankfurt.
Bornheim
If you’ve got a little cash to spend and enjoy nightlife and entertainment, Bornheim is the place for you. It's full of restaurants, bars and pubs. It's also close to the city centre and has excellent public transportation.
It's not the cheapest, but it’s a vibrant and exciting neighborhood. Many students, young professionals and budding families live here.
Kronberg
If you’re moving to Frankfurt with your family, the Kronberg neighborhood might be right for you. About 20 minutes from the city center by public transport, Kronberg offers families plenty of space and has many parks. It's also home to some of the city’s best international schools.
In Kronberg you may even be able to find a freestanding home for rent instead of an apartment.
Nordend
Another family-friendly neighborhood, Nordend is known for its strong community, arts, coffee shops and good schools. It’s a little better located than Kronberg and is adjacent to Bornheim. This means parents can easily hit some of the city’s best restaurants and bars on nights when they can find a babysitter.
Rent in Nordend is also a bit more affordable than in Kronberg.
Niederrad
With its excellent public transport and proximity to the airport and many businesses, Niederrad is a popular choice for its convenience.
It’s also the neighborhood where you’ll find the biggest range in rent prices. Everything from the very affordable to the very luxurious exists in Niederrad.
Westend
If you’re working in finance and want to live close to the office, look no further than Westend. Home to the biggest banks, consultancies and financial institutions, this neighborhood offers expensive luxury apartments, plenty of amenities and upscale restaurants.
The cost of living in Frankfurt, Germany is a little high if you want to live in central areas. You can expect to pay about 1,253 EUR per month for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center. If you have a family or need a bigger place, the average rental price for a 3-bedroom in the city center is around 2,211 EUR.¹
That said, if you move outside of central areas, you can find a 1-bedroom apartment for 931 EUR or so. For a 3-bedroom, the average price is 1,497 EUR, which is also more affordable.¹
No matter where you choose, use Wise to send money to Germany and easily pay your rent in EUR with no exchange rate markups.
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Sources
- Numbeo - Frankfurt
- Numbeo - Berlin
- Numbeo - Hamburg
- Numbeo - Munich
- Numbeo - Dusseldorf.
- All About Berlin - How the apartment deposit works in Germany
Sources checked 09.24.2024
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This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
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