Furnished Apartments in Germany

Most German apartments are rented unfurnished (unmöbliert): often completely empty, sometimes without a fitted kitchen or even light fixtures. Furnished (möbliert) flats include furniture, a kitchen, and basic household items so you can move in quickly. They cost significantly more and suit temporary stays more often than long-term life.

For standard unfurnished search, leases, and SCHUFA, see Finding an Apartment in Germany. For address registration, see Registering Your Address. For utilities after move-in, see Utilities in Germany.

Why choose furnished (newcomer view)

Skip the kitchen bottleneck. A typical Kaltmiete flat can mean bare walls. Tenants often buy, deliver, and plumb in a full Einbauküche (cabinets, sink, hob, worktops). Furnished housing gives you a working kitchen from day one without electricians or carpenters.

Faster legal setup. Banks, tax ID, and many contracts need a registered address (Meldebescheinigung). Landlords abroad often want SCHUFA and German payslips for empty flats. Verified furnished platforms often accept passports and foreign employment contracts and issue Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord confirmation for Anmeldung) when the lease is real.

Trial neighbourhoods. Unfurnished leases encourage longer stays because of notice periods and setup cost. Furnished lets you test areas and commutes before committing to a permanent flat.

No furniture sunk cost on exit. You avoid buying thousands of euros of goods that may not fit the next flat. At the end you clean, pack personal bags, and return keys without selling sofas on Kleinanzeigen.

Costs, legal risk, and downsides

Higher rent. Landlords charge a Möblierungszuschlag (furnishing surcharge). Mietpreisbremse (rent brake) limits standard rent in many cities, but möblierter Wohnraum has often been used to charge more. Recent rules push transparent furniture valuation, but you still pay a monthly premium on depreciating items.

Weaker stability. Germany’s strong tenant protections apply fully to classic unfurnished tenancies. Furnished setups often use fixed terms (Zeitmietvertrag, §575 BGB). When the end date arrives, the contract ends unless you agree an extension, sometimes at a higher rent. Some classifications allow shorter notice (for example landlord in the same building).

Deposit disputes. More inventory means more Übergabeprotokoll arguments: scuffs, stains, chipped dishes. Landlords may hold Kaution for months over used furniture value.

Less control. You live with the landlord’s mattress, desk, and décor. Painting, drilling, or swapping furniture usually needs permission and restoration at move-out. It may not feel like a long-term home.

Apartment types

Fully furnished: bed, sofa, table, chairs, wardrobe, equipped kitchen, appliances, often linens, dishes, and internet.

Partially furnished: usually fitted kitchen and major pieces; you bring bedding, personal items, and small electronics.

Serviced apartments: hotel-style setup. Rent often bundles utilities, internet, cleaning, and reception. Highest price premium.

Rent is often quoted as Warmmiete (includes heating, water, and building charges in one figure). Confirm what is still billed separately (electricity, internet, broadcasting fee).

Where to search

Specialist platforms

• Wunderflats — mid- to long-term furnished, expats and professionals
• Homelike — furnished and serviced, business and relocations
• Spotahome — online booking, verified listings
• HousingAnywhere — popular with students and expats

General portals

• ImmobilienScout24 — filter möbliert
• WG-Gesucht and Kleinanzeigen — private Zwischenmiete sublets, often cheaper; filter möbliert

Some platforms charge a service fee on top of rent. Read the total price before you pay.

Rent, deposits, and contract law

Kaution (security deposit): by law at most three months’ net cold rent (Kaltmiete), even if the listing shows Warmmiete.

Two legal situations for furnished flats

Möblierter Wohnraum (furnished living space): if furniture makes up a significant share of what you pay for, special rules may apply. Local Mietspiegel caps may not bind the same way, rent can be higher, and eviction protection can be weaker with shorter notice in some cases.

Standard rental with furniture: if the flat’s value is mainly the property, normal tenancy law applies, including Mietpreisbremse where it applies, and full eviction protections.

Fixed-term contracts (Zeitmietvertrag, §575 BGB): common for furnished lets. A fixed end date needs a valid legal reason (for example planned renovation or landlord’s future self-use). If valid, the lease expires automatically without ordinary notice.

Always read whether your contract is time-limited, ordinary (unbefristet), or classified as möblierter Wohnraum.

Move-in checklist

Anmeldung: the landlord must provide Wohnungsgeberbestätigung under §19 BMG so you can register your address. They should do this within about two weeks of move-in. Reject any listing that says Anmeldung nicht möglich. Without registration you cannot get a tax ID or complete many official steps legally.

Übergabeprotokoll (handover protocol): inspect the flat with the landlord or agent at move-in and move-out. Photograph walls and every furniture item. Check the inventory list line by line. Record meter readings. Both parties sign.

Payments: use the platform’s official payment flow when you book through one. Do not wire Kaution or advance rent to a private account outside a signed, verified contract. See scam warnings in Finding an Apartment in Germany.

Useful links

• Finding an Apartment in Germany
• Registering Your Address
• Furniture Stores in Germany (when you move to unfurnished later)
• ImmobilienScout24