(80) Houses for sale in Berlin (2024)

FAQs

How much money do I need to buy a house in Berlin? ›

Anyone who wants to buy a property in Berlin must spend a median of 5.480 € per square meter for an existing property in early 2023. For new buildings, the price is significantly higher at 8.540 € per square meter. This is shown by data from Guthmann Estate. Depending on the district, property prices vary greatly.

Find a place to live

It's really hard to find an apartment in Berlin. Rent a temporary furnished apartment, then move to Berlin and look for something better. Temporary housing is expensive, but it might be your only option. Before you move in, you must pay the first month's rent, and 1/3 of the deposit (Kaution).

In 2022, only 14,393 new apartments were completed, while 13,632 permits were issued. This falls short of what's needed, making the housing shortage even worse. Plus, most new construction is happening on the outskirts of Berlin, which doesn't help much if you're looking to live in the city centre.

The Berlin housing market is somewhat competitive. The median sale price of a home in Berlin was $700K last. The median sale price per square foot in Berlin is ¤346, up 28.1% since last year.…

According to Stepstone's 2024 salary report, the median gross salary in Germany is €3,645 per month. While you can expect this to be slightly higher in Berlin, it's a decent amount to live on. The average salary in Germany is estimated to be around €4,323 according to De Statis.

Berlin is a very popular city and, unlike in New York, London and Paris, real estate is still available at moderate sales prices. Due to the low interest rates for financing, it is still attractive to invest in your own property in the capital, even with the increasing purchase prices.

Charlottenburg The Charlottenburg district is the wealthiest and most commercialized in western Berlin. Along the famous Ku'Damm, which runs through it, you find the best concentration of hotels, restaurants, theaters, cafes, nightclubs, shops, and department stores.

Learn basic German: While it's possible to live in Berlin without speaking German, it's important to learn some basic phrases to help you navigate daily life. Knowing how to say hello, goodbye, please, and thank you can go a long way in making connections with locals and getting things done.

You only become the lawful owner after you have been entered into the German land registry ("Grundbuch"). This process can take quite long and usually takes anywhere between 8 and 16 weeks after signing the purchase contract at the notary.

Can Americans buy property in Berlin? ›

There is no restriction on foreigners buying property in Germany, no matter whether they live in Germany or elsewhere. You can, therefore, buy property as a non-resident with the expressed purpose of renting it out, or you can choose to rent out your own home if you move away from Germany.

Berlin has a long tradition of homelessness. It's a poor city – Germany's poorest – but also equipped with robust social services. Berlin has a history of attracting those who are “different”, including many immigrants, due to its diversity and tolerant atmosphere.

In Berlin, property purchase prices have fluctuated seasonally over many years at most. By mid-2022, there was a decline in prices for the first time in a long time. The further course in the second quarter of 2024 will be influenced by the ECB's interest rate decisions.

One is the city's strong economy and high demand for housing. This has led to a shortage of affordable housing and increased competition for rental properties, resulting in higher rent prices. Additionally, Berlin is a popular tourist destination, which has driven up prices for goods and services in the city.

It may not be known for its tropical weather or laid-back lifestyle, but make no mistake: There's a lot to recommend about Berlin (and Germany in general). Expats in Berlin benefit from affordable education and a strong public healthcare system, not to mention some of the best job opportunities in all of Europe.

There is no restriction on foreigners buying property in Germany, no matter whether they live in Germany or elsewhere. You can, therefore, buy property as a non-resident with the expressed purpose of renting it out, or you can choose to rent out your own home if you move away from Germany.

If you don't live and work in Germany, you might need a deposit of at least 40% of the property's value. Some banks will require you to earn a minimum amount per year to get a mortgage (for example, €20,000), and lenders will usually require that your mortgage repayments won't be more than 35% of your monthly income.

Prices for Houses in Germany

The Immowelt platform reports that in 2023, the average cost of a finished house is 2,971 euros per square meter. In Hamburg, housing will cost you 5,781 € per m², while in Munich, it's as high as 10,420 € per m².

Down payment requirements: In Germany, down payments typically start at 20% of the property's purchase price. This means that if you are buying a home worth €300,000, you would need to save at least €60,000 as a down payment.