https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Buying a property is always a major undertaking – and even more so when you’re attempting to do it in a foreign country. We look at the key phrases you need to know in Germany, and what you can expect. https://www.thelocal.de/20250822/the-german-words-you-need-to-know-when-buying-property Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:01:58 +0200 the-german-words-you-need-to-know-when-buying-property Rising energy prices linked to the war in Iran are pushing up mortgage rates in Germany, making property purchases more expensive and increasing uncertainty for buyers, builders and the wider market. https://www.thelocal.de/20260323/how-the-war-in-iran-is-affecting-germanys-property-market Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:40:03 +0100 how-the-war-in-iran-is-affecting-germanys-property-market The cost of both renting and buying property in Germany is expected to become more expensive in 2026. But experts say the country is unlikely to see a return to the dramatic price surges of the 2010s. https://www.thelocal.de/20251229/how-renting-and-buying-property-in-germany-will-cost-you-more-in-2026 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:44:37 +0100 how-renting-and-buying-property-in-germany-will-cost-you-more-in-2026 The rules around owning a flat in Germany can be confusing, with homeowners often unsure what maintenance costs they should pay and which are shared by the building. A top court has sought to answer the most controversial questions. https://www.thelocal.de/20250214/what-costs-do-homeowners-in-germany-pay-themselves-and-which-are-shared Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:02:36 +0100 what-costs-do-homeowners-in-germany-pay-themselves-and-which-are-shared Germany's highest court ruled against a tenant who sublet his Berlin apartment for twice as much rent as he owed. If you plan to sublet your own home, or part of it, there are a few rules you should be aware of. https://www.thelocal.de/20260204/how-much-can-you-sublet-your-apartment-for-in-germany Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:02:52 +0100 how-much-can-you-sublet-your-apartment-for-in-germany From kitchens to skirting boards and even front door name signs - renting a flat in Germany can involve a lot of hidden costs. https://www.thelocal.de/20220304/explained-the-hidden-costs-of-renting-in-germany Fri, 04 Mar 2022 11:46:35 +0100 explained-the-hidden-costs-of-renting-in-germany When it comes to bricks and mortar, 2026 is set to being a fresh wave of rules, costs and opportunities for residents in Germany. Here are the changes that renters and landlords alike will want to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20251222/what-changes-for-renters-and-homeowners-in-germany-in-2026 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:53:18 +0100 what-changes-for-renters-and-homeowners-in-germany-in-2026 Munich continues to top the list of Germany’s most unaffordable cities for property buyers. But among the country’s seven biggest cities, which are the most affordable for those hoping to get a foot on the property ladder? https://www.thelocal.de/20251230/revealed-germanys-least-affordable-cities-for-property-buyers Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:53:31 +0100 revealed-germanys-least-affordable-cities-for-property-buyers A major property tax reform brought at the beginning of this year raised the amount owed by many landlords in Germany. Now the Federal Fiscal Court has rejected challenges against the rule change, meaning that property owners are still on the hook. https://www.thelocal.de/20251210/germanys-highest-fiscal-court-rejects-challenges-to-new-property-tax-rules Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:42:40 +0100 germanys-highest-fiscal-court-rejects-challenges-to-new-property-tax-rules With rents on the rise in Germany, what do prospective tenants need to earn in order to live comfortably? Here's where rents are still affordable on an average income – and at where renters are increasingly overburdened. https://www.thelocal.de/20250901/how-much-do-you-need-to-earn-to-rent-an-apartment-in-germany Mon, 01 Sep 2025 18:05:20 +0200 how-much-do-you-need-to-earn-to-rent-an-apartment-in-germany Getting along with your neighbours is essential if you want an easy life - but there are a few unwritten rules in Germany that you may not even know you're breaking. https://www.thelocal.de/20231115/10-ways-you-will-accidentally-annoy-your-german-neighbours Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:26:08 +0100 10-ways-you-will-accidentally-annoy-your-german-neighbours 'Lichtdurchflutet' (bathed in light) and 'Gemütlich' (cosy) might sound appealing, but in Germany’s property market, these poetic descriptions can often mean something else entirely. https://www.thelocal.de/20251106/the-words-estate-agents-in-germany-use-when-they-want-to-rip-you-off Thu, 06 Nov 2025 10:51:48 +0100 the-words-estate-agents-in-germany-use-when-they-want-to-rip-you-off Rents in Germany’s biggest cities are soaring, except in Berlin, where prices have unexpectedly dipped. Which cities are seeing the fastest increases, and what does it mean for renters and buyers. https://www.thelocal.de/20251104/dusseldorf-and-leipzig-the-surprising-german-cities-where-rents-are-rising-fastest Tue, 04 Nov 2025 12:50:54 +0100 dusseldorf-and-leipzig-the-surprising-german-cities-where-rents-are-rising-fastest Real estate prices are on the rise again, but some financial experts suggest that now is a good time to buy a home in Germany. So how much do you need to earn to purchase a house or apartment here? https://www.thelocal.de/20250819/how-much-do-you-need-to-earn-to-buy-a-home-in-germany Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:00:34 +0200 how-much-do-you-need-to-earn-to-buy-a-home-in-germany In today's tough housing environment, it's growing more and more common to see flats rented out without the right to register - or 'anmelden'. The Local looks at whether this is legal under German tenancy law. https://www.thelocal.de/20240627/is-renting-a-flat-without-anmeldung-illegal-in-germany Thu, 27 Jun 2024 17:34:28 +0200 is-renting-a-flat-without-anmeldung-illegal-in-germany Whether you plan to let your whole home or just a single room, make sure you’re aware of the rules around declaring the income to the German tax man. https://www.thelocal.de/20250602/what-germanys-tax-authorities-need-to-know-if-you-rent-out-your-home Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:54:34 +0200 what-germanys-tax-authorities-need-to-know-if-you-rent-out-your-home If you’re going away for a period of time or want to cut your living costs, subletting your flat can seem like an appealing option. But there are a lot of things you need to consider first. We break them down. https://www.thelocal.de/20220622/explained-how-to-sublet-your-apartment-in-germany Wed, 22 Jun 2022 18:35:02 +0200 explained-how-to-sublet-your-apartment-in-germany Renters in Germany are increasingly turning to flat swaps to find a new home in a tight housing market - but the legal situation can be complicated. Here's what to know if you're considering exchanging your apartment for a new one. https://www.thelocal.de/20230322/can-a-flat-swap-help-me-find-a-new-apartment-in-germany Wed, 22 Mar 2023 11:31:25 +0100 can-a-flat-swap-help-me-find-a-new-apartment-in-germany Germany approved amendments to construction law on Friday, designed to increase the supply of flats and houses in the country's cities. The emphasis is on speed and taking a creative approach to how existing buildings can be repurposed. https://www.thelocal.de/20251017/will-the-newly-approved-bau-turbo-help-solve-germanys-housing-crisis Fri, 17 Oct 2025 18:53:19 +0200 will-the-newly-approved-bau-turbo-help-solve-germanys-housing-crisis Especially in Germany's tight rental markets, apartment hunters need to be cautious every step of the way. From bribes disguised as brokerage fees to fraudulent tenants' associations, here are four scams to be aware of. https://www.thelocal.de/20250528/four-scams-to-be-aware-of-while-navigating-germanys-rental-market Wed, 28 May 2025 18:28:50 +0200 four-scams-to-be-aware-of-while-navigating-germanys-rental-market