Accommodation in Germany
Expats moving to Germany will find plenty of modestly-priced, homely housing options available to them. Expats will discover that accommodation options in Germany range from furnished or unfurnished flats and maisonettes, to trendy studio apartments, cottages and stately three- or four-bedroom houses.
Renting Property in Germany
Most expats will probably opt for renting property in Germany. Expats – and particularly those wishing to rent property in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich – will find that housing costs are chiefly determined by location: the closer one lives to the CBD, the more rent they will pay.
It is not uncommon for expats to seek accommodation in slightly outlying districts of German cities, where for the price, they can find bigger properties, that are in better shape, and boast more creature comforts (such as air conditioning, sizeable gardens, etc.) than anything available in the downtown areas. A massive benefit of relocating to Germany is that no matter where one lives, highly efficient public transportation will be readily available to get you wherever you need to go.
Another increasingly popular housing option, especially among the younger generation of expats relocating to Germany, is house-sharing – that is, renting an individual room in a larger house shared by other people (usually students or other expats).
The process of finding a property to rent in Germany has, by all accounts, become a lot easier in recent years. Expats are encouraged to conduct online searches and consult local newspapers for listings, as engaging the services of an estate agent can lead to significant fees (as much as one month's rent). Once one has found a likely-looking property, a time and a date for a viewing (bezichtiging) must be arranged with the landlord. Expect a group viewing, though: there may be up 20 other potential tenants at a viewing, and so it’s wise to express immediate interest if one feels that the property is suitable, as often it is the landlord themselves who determines the shortlist for rental applications. Expats should note that typically, three month's rent will be required as deposit money.
The standard of accommodation in Germany is on a par with other western European countries, with comfortable – though small – living quarters predominating. Air-conditioning is not a common feature (though it is rarely necessary), while an adequate heating system is essential. As one travels further from the cities, iconic German fachwerk (half timbered) houses, cottages, and bauernhause (farmhouses) become available.
While shipping one's furniture to Germany – particularly from within the EU – is a viable option, expats can also rest assured that they won't find much difficulty in buying furniture to kit out their new home after arriving in the country. Most German cities boast a good range of second-hand and antique stores, while superstores such as IKEA are also easily found.
Home security will not be a major issue for expats relocating to Germany. Although petty theft does occur, especially in the downtown areas of major cities, home invasion and violent crime is virtually non-existent. Time and again, expats report that they feel very safe in their homes in Germany.
Buying property in Germany
With the German economy still in a state of recovery following the global credit crisis, housing prices and mortgage rates are lower than they have been for decades, and buying property in Germany – even for non-EU citizens – has become a very attractive option for expats.
Buying property in Germany is a relatively straightforward process, with the vast majority of deals being administered by estate agents (immobilienmaklers). If one has found a property they wish to buy, a legally-binding contract is drawn up between the buyer and seller, which sets out the terms and price of the sale. A notary – a publicly-appointed official representing the interests of the German government – will then be employed, to ensure that the property has sound title (i.e., that there are no irregularities in the ownership), and that the purchase or sale is correctly transacted. Expats should note that the additional costs involved in buying property in Germany – including the agent's fee, the notary's fee, the property transfer tax, and random administrative costs like the hiring of an interpreter (if needed) – will run at about 10 percent of the purchase price.
Finally, expats should be aware of the fact that generally, Germans tend to buy houses for life – property is considered a long-term investment in Germany, and speculating on real estate is not only uncommon, but probably doomed to failure.
