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End your tenancy before leaving Germany

Selected criteria

  1. I’m planning to leave Germany
  2. Handle housing matters
  3. Terminate my rental agreement

Before leaving Germany, it is important to keep ending the tenancy separate from handing over the apartment. First find the terms in your Mietvertrag on the notice period, the format of the Kündigung, minimum rental period, repairs, and returning the home. Then prepare and send the notice in a way that lets you prove it was received. Before your departure date, agree on the handover, collect the keys, take photos, and record the condition of the home in the Übergabeprotokoll. After handover, check related contracts, meter readings, mail, and address formalities. This scenario helps you follow the process in order: start with the contract, do not miss written agreements with the landlord, and keep documents for final settlements. If your contract is fixed-term, there is a dispute about repairs, a rent increase, or early departure, use the materials as preparation and seek an individual review.

Plan overview

A plan for tenants: check the contract, send a Kündigung, prepare the apartment handover, and complete related tasks before leaving.

What to do step by step

  1. 1

    Check the contract terms

    Open your Mietvertrag and note the terms on termination, the rental period, repairs, keys, and apartment handover.

    Articles for this step

    How a Tenant Can Terminate a Lease Agreement in Germany What to Check in a German Rental Agreement: Kaution, Nebenkosten, Kündigung and Tenant Rights
  2. 2

    Prepare and send your Kündigung

    Prepare the notice in the required form and choose a delivery method that lets you confirm the landlord received it.

    Articles for this step

    How a Tenant Can Terminate a Lease Agreement in Germany How to Move Out of an Apartment in Germany Without Losing Your Security Deposit
  3. 3

    Agree on an early departure separately

    If the regular end date does not work, check the contract terms and document agreements with the landlord in writing.

    Articles for this step

    How a Tenant Can Terminate a Lease Agreement in Germany Tenants’ Rights in Germany: Lease Agreement, Security Deposit, Repairs, and Notice Period
  4. 4

    Prepare the apartment for handover

    First clarify contractual repair requirements, then clear the home, collect the keys, and document its condition in photos.

    Articles for this step

    How to Move Out of an Apartment in Germany Without Losing Your Security Deposit What to Check in a German Rental Agreement: Kaution, Nebenkosten, Kündigung and Tenant Rights
  5. 5

    Complete the handover with a protocol

    At the meeting, record the apartment condition, meter readings, and handed-over keys in the Übergabeprotokoll; read the document before signing.

    Articles for this step

    How to Move Out of an Apartment in Germany Without Losing Your Security Deposit
  6. 6

    Complete related tasks before leaving

    After handover, check household contracts, insurance, mail, registration, and other obligations related to leaving.

    Articles for this step

    How to Leave Germany Properly: Checklist for Abmeldung, Residence Permit, Contracts, and Benefits

Important notes

  • The notice period depends on when the landlord receives the letter.
  • Check the handover protocol before signing.
  • If there is a dispute or an urgent departure, your contract needs an individual review.

Common mistakes

  • Relying only on a chat message
  • Assuming a Nachmieter is an automatic solution
  • Signing a protocol with disputed claims