Renting in Germany when you move for a new job
You signed a contract, the start date is set – and now you need somewhere to live. On paper you look risky to a German landlord: no SCHUFA, no German rental history, maybe still in your probation period. In reality you hold one of the strongest cards there is, a permanent employment contract. Here's how to lead with it.
Why you look risky – and why you actually aren't
- No SCHUFA record: if you've just arrived, you can't have a German credit score yet. Landlords who deal with internationals know this – it only becomes a problem if you leave it unexplained.
- No previous German landlord: so no Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung (proof you paid past rent). Normal for newcomers, and easily offset by other documents.
- Your real advantage: a permanent contract with a good salary. Landlords care most about whether the rent arrives every month – and that is exactly what your contract proves.
The documents that do the convincing
Employment contract or signed offer
The single most important document. If it's permanent (unbefristet), say so explicitly – that word carries real weight with German landlords.
Payslips or an employer confirmation
Landlords usually ask for the last three payslips. If you haven't been paid yet, a short letter from your employer stating your position, salary and start date does the same job.
Passport plus visa or residence permit
Show your right to live and work in Germany. Bring it to viewings rather than emailing scans around – see the documents guide →
Tenant self-disclosure (Selbstauskunft)
The standard German form landlords expect. Filling it in before you're asked makes you look prepared. What goes in it →
Probation period and the SCHUFA gap
- Don't hide the Probezeit: landlords see your start date anyway. Mentioning it calmly reads as honest; hiding it reads as a problem.
- Offer extra security instead: a guarantor, or voluntarily offering an extra month of deposit, removes most doubt. How a guarantee works →
- Explain the missing SCHUFA in one line: "I moved to Germany in [month], so I don't have a SCHUFA record yet – here is my employment contract instead." SCHUFA for foreigners →
Apply in German from day one
Landlords in Germany expect the message in German – hard when you've just arrived. WohnungsBewerber reads the listing on ImmoScout24, WG-Gesucht, Kleinanzeigen, Immowelt or Immonet, writes a personal application letter in German that puts your new job front and centre, and pre-fills the contact form. You fill in an English form, review everything, and send it yourself. Free, no account, data stays local.
Add to Chrome – free Free · No sign-up · Data stays local · You send it yourselfWhat to put in your message
- Your job: role, employer, and your start date – ideally in the first two sentences.
- Why the rent is safe: one line on your permanent contract and that documents are ready.
- That you're relocating: say it openly, and offer a video viewing if you're not in the city yet.
- Your earliest move-in date and a phone number for a quick reply.
See how applications work in Germany and how long your message should be.
Keep going
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a flat in Germany with a brand new job?
Yes. A permanent employment contract with a solid salary is one of the strongest things you can show a German landlord – often stronger than a long rental history. If you have not received a payslip yet, ask your employer for a short written confirmation of your position, salary and start date.
I have no SCHUFA yet because I just arrived. Is that a problem?
It is normal and not a red flag if you explain it. Someone who has just moved to Germany cannot have a credit record yet. Lead with your employment contract and, if needed, offer extra security such as a guarantor or a higher deposit instead of dwelling on the missing SCHUFA.
Does the probation period (Probezeit) hurt my application?
It can make landlords cautious, but it is not a dealbreaker. Say clearly if your contract is permanent (unbefristet), since that matters more than the probation period itself. Offering a guarantor or an extra month of deposit removes most of the remaining doubt.
Which documents should I prepare before I arrive?
Your employment contract, your first payslips or an employer confirmation, passport and visa or residence permit, and a filled-in tenant self-disclosure (Selbstauskunft). Having everything ready as PDFs lets you reply within minutes, which matters more in German cities than any single document.
Can I apply for flats before I move to Germany?
Yes, and you should. Say openly in your message that you are relocating for a job, give your start date and your earliest move-in date, and offer a video viewing if you cannot attend in person. Many people also book temporary housing first and search properly once they are in the city.