Renting in Germany as a foreigner (2026)
Renting in Germany as a foreigner
Neither German citizenship nor permanent residence is required.
Tenancy law (§§ 535 ff. BGB) protects every tenant equally. The real hurdle is the paperwork: the SCHUFA report and proof of income that newcomers do not yet have.
§ 19 AGGIn 60 seconds
You need neither German citizenship nor permanent residence to rent; §§ 535 ff. BGB apply equally to every tenant.
The real hurdle is the paperwork: landlords usually ask for a SCHUFA report and proof of income that newcomers do not yet have.
Substitutes work: bank statements, an employment contract or employer's letter, a guarantee, a bank reference, or a higher deposit within the § 551 BGB limit.
After moving in you must register within 14 days (§ 17 BMG): your bank account, tax ID and SCHUFA all depend on it.
A landlord may not treat you worse because of ethnic origin (§ 19 AGG), and in many cities the rent brake caps the starting rent (§ 556d BGB).
What the law says
Discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic origin is unlawful in the formation, performance and termination of civil obligations that typically arise without regard to the person, on comparable terms, in a large number of cases. Residential letting among them. Working translation; the German original is the binding text.
What to do when you have no SCHUFA yet
| Instead of a SCHUFA report | What it evidences |
|---|---|
| Bank statements (foreign or German account) | regular income, a solid balance |
| Employment contract / employer's letter | secure salary, often the strongest single document |
| A guarantee from parents or employer | a solvent person stands behind the rent |
| A bank reference from your own bank | confirmed creditworthiness |
| A higher deposit (within § 551) | lower risk for the landlord |
Related: Checking a tenancy agreement before signing and The move-in record.
What it means for each side
- Have the German text explained before you sign. It is what binds.
- Offer substitute documents actively rather than waiting on a SCHUFA.
- Register within 14 days.
- Check the first rent against the rent brake.
- Accept equivalent evidence rather than insisting on a SCHUFA.
- Do not ask for a deposit above three net rents, or cash "as security".
- Issue the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung promptly.
- Treat applicants without regard to origin (§ 19 AGG).
Common mistakes
The German text is what binds; understand it before signing, not after.
Bank statements, an employer's letter or a guarantee do the same job.
Both are impermissible.
It costs a fine and blocks your bank account, tax ID and SCHUFA. And accepting the first rent without checking the rent brake catches expats most often.
What to do next
Assemble substitutes: bank statements, employment contract, a guarantee or a bank reference.
Have the contract explained point by point before signing.
Check the deposit against the net rent and insist on the instalments.
Register within 14 days and hold the rent against the rent brake.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner rent an apartment in Germany?
Yes. German tenancy law (§§ 535 ff. BGB) makes no distinction by nationality. You do not need German citizenship or a permanent residence permit to sign a Mietvertrag (tenancy agreement). EU and non-EU citizens have the same rights and duties as German tenants. The practical obstacle is not the law but the documents landlords ask for, above all a SCHUFA-Auskunft (credit report) and proof of income.
Can I rent a flat in Germany without a SCHUFA?
Yes. A SCHUFA-Auskunft (credit report) is customary but not legally required, and new arrivals usually have no SCHUFA record because the SCHUFA only covers people already registered in Germany. You can offer alternatives: bank statements from your home or German account, an employer letter or employment contract, a Bürgschaft (guarantee) from a person or your employer, or a larger deposit within the legal limit.
How much deposit can a landlord ask a foreign tenant for?
The same as for any tenant: at most three months' Kaltmiete (cold rent, i.e. rent without Nebenkosten), under § 551 Abs. 1 BGB. You may pay it in three equal monthly instalments (§ 551 Abs. 2 BGB), the first with the start of the tenancy. The landlord must hold the Kaution (deposit) separately from their own assets and pay it interest (§ 551 Abs. 3 BGB).
Do I have to register my address after moving in?
Yes. Everyone moving into a flat in Germany must complete the Anmeldung (residence registration) at the Bürgeramt within 14 days of moving in (§ 17 Abs. 1 Bundesmeldegesetz). You need the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord's confirmation of move-in), which your landlord must supply under § 19 BMG. A late Anmeldung can be fined up to 1,000 euros (§ 54 BMG).
Is a German-language tenancy contract binding if I don't understand German?
Yes. Once you sign it, a Mietvertrag in German is fully binding, and the German wording is the legally decisive version even if you were given a translation. There is no right to a contract in your own language. Have the contract translated or explained before you sign, not after.
What can I do if a landlord rejects me because I am a foreigner?
Refusing or worsening a tenancy because of ethnic origin is unlawful under § 19 AGG (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz). This protection against ethnic-origin discrimination applies to landlords of any size. You can claim damages under § 21 AGG and get support from the Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes. Keep evidence such as messages and listings.
This page gives general information as at the date shown. It does not replace legal advice on an individual case.