Getting a guarantor (Bürgschaft) for a German apartment
If you have no German credit history or only a short income record, a guarantor is often the single strongest way to reassure a landlord. Here's how a Bürgschaft works, the difference between a parental guarantee and a commercial one, what the guarantor takes on, and how to offer it.
Fill in the guarantee
Fill it in, print it, have it signed. The maximum amount is the field that matters – without it the guarantor is liable without limit; one button fills in three months' rent.
The two kinds of guarantee
- Parental / private guarantee (Elternbürgschaft): a parent or relative signs a declaration promising to cover the rent if you can't. It's free and, when the guarantor has German income, very persuasive to landlords.
- Commercial deposit guarantee (Mietkautionsbürgschaft): a bank or provider guarantees your deposit for an annual fee, so you don't tie up cash. Useful if you have no personal guarantor or want to keep money free – but it costs more over time.
What the guarantor is taking on
A guarantee is a real financial obligation, not a formality. If you don't pay, the landlord can turn to the guarantor. Standard guarantees usually cover unpaid rent and related costs, but the exact scope depends on the wording – so the amount and limits should be clear in writing.
Read it before signing
Some guarantee forms extend liability further than expected. A guarantor should read the declaration carefully and, ideally, cap it to a defined amount (for example a set number of months' rent). This is general information, not legal advice – for a specific case, get proper advice.
A simple guarantee declaration (German)
Landlords expect the declaration in German. Here's a plain example your guarantor can adapt – fill in the names, address and amount:
Bürgschaftserklärung Hiermit übernehme ich, [Vorname Nachname, Anschrift], geboren am [Datum], die selbstschuldnerische Bürgschaft für die Mietzahlungen von [Name des Mieters] für die Wohnung [Anschrift der Wohnung]. Meine Haftung ist auf einen Betrag von [z. B. drei Monatsmieten / Betrag in Euro] begrenzt. [Ort, Datum] [Unterschrift des Bürgen]
Roughly: "Guarantee declaration. I, [name, address], born [date], hereby assume the guarantee for the rent payments of [tenant] for the apartment at [address]. My liability is limited to [e.g. three months' rent / amount]. [Place, date] [Guarantor's signature]." There's also a fuller German template here.
How to offer it in your application
Mention the guarantee early and briefly – it answers the landlord's biggest unspoken question. For example, in your German application letter: „Die Miete ist über eine Bürgschaft meiner Eltern gesichert; die Erklärung reiche ich gern ein." ("The rent is secured by a guarantee from my parents; I'm happy to provide the declaration.") You don't need to explain a missing SCHUFA – the guarantee does the reassuring.
Put the guarantee into a strong German letter
WohnungsBewerber reads the listing and writes your personal application letter in German – and with the SCHUFA-protection switch it leads with your security instead of the credit topic. You review and send yourself. Free, no account, data stays local.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Bürgschaft?
A written promise by a third party – often a parent – to pay your rent if you can't. It's one of the strongest ways to make up for a missing SCHUFA or short income history. A parental guarantee is free; a commercial deposit guarantee costs an annual fee.
Does the guarantor have to live in Germany?
It's easier if they do, since landlords rely more on a guarantor with German income. A guarantor abroad may be accepted but is seen as weaker security. Without a personal guarantor, a commercial deposit guarantee is an alternative.
What is the guarantor liable for?
It depends on the wording. A standard guarantee usually covers unpaid rent and related costs; some forms extend further. The scope and amount should be clear in writing, ideally capped to a defined sum.
Should I mention a guarantor in my application?
Yes – offering one proactively is a strong signal, especially with no German credit history. A short line that the rent is secured by a guarantee reassures the landlord early.
Is the guarantor also liable for damage to the flat?
Yes, if the guarantee covers the obligations under the tenancy agreement as a whole – that includes utility costs and compensation for damage, not only the rent. This is exactly why the maximum amount matters: it caps how much can add up in the end.
Can a guarantee be cancelled later?
As a rule not unilaterally. A guarantee for an open-ended tenancy runs until the tenancy ends and all claims arising from it are settled. If you do not want to be bound indefinitely, agree a maximum amount from the start and, where possible, an end date – both fields are in the generator above.
Does the guarantee have to be signed by hand?
Yes. § 766 BGB requires written form and explicitly excludes the electronic form. A scanned or digitally signed declaration is formally invalid. Print it, sign it by hand and hand over the original.