'When Is It Okay to Make Noise in an Apartment in Germany: Quiet Hours,

In Germany, there is no single, simple rule for all buildings along the lines of “you can make noise starting at such-and-such a time.” In practice, three levels are important: state and city laws, the house rules (Hausordnung) of a specific building, and the general obligation of residents not to disturb their neighbors more than is unavoidable. Therefore, before renovating, throwing a party, or filing a complaint against neighbors, it’s worth checking not only the time but also the source of the noise.

The main guideline for residents is Ruhezeiten, or quiet hours. Nighttime quiet hours are typically strictly enforced, often from 22:00 to 6:00 or 7:00. In certain cities, states, and buildings, there may be additional rules: evening restrictions, quiet hours on Sundays and holidays, and restrictions on noisy work in the yard or garden. The midday “Mittagsruhe” is not a uniform federal rule for all apartments, but it may be stipulated locally or in the building’s rules.

Where to check quiet hours

Before you start drilling, play loud music, or file a complaint, check the following:

• lease agreement;
• House rules (Hausordnung), if provided with the lease agreement or posted in the building entrance;
• the city’s website, municipality (Gemeinde), city hall (Rathaus), or public order office (Ordnungsamt);
• State regulations regarding noise at night, on Sundays, or on holidays.

For everyday life, it’s helpful to follow a stricter rule: after 22:00, keep the volume at Zimmerlautstärke—that is, a volume at which the sound does not disturb neighbors in their apartments. Even during the day, you should not intentionally create constant or excessive noise.

What Is Generally Permitted and What Is Risky

Noise is not assessed solely by the time of day. Other factors that matter include duration, frequency, volume, the type of residence, the age of the building, the source of the noise, and whether the disturbance could have been avoided.

Situation	How to Act Safely
Renovations and Drilling	Schedule these for weekdays and daytime hours, notify your neighbors in advance, and follow the house rules and local regulations.
Washing machine, vacuum cleaner	Use outside of quiet hours; avoid using them at night and early in the morning if the noise can be heard by neighbors.
Music and TV	Keep the volume at a reasonable level, especially in the evening and at night.
Party	Notify your neighbors, wrap up the loud part of the party before the nighttime quiet hours begin, and don’t treat “one party a year” as a license to make noise without limits.
Children	Normal children’s noises are generally tolerated, but parents should keep the noise down whenever reasonable.
Dogs	Occasional barking is not considered a violation, but constant or nighttime barking can become a problem.

Renovations, Moving, and Noisy Work

Renovations during moving are almost always audible to neighbors. But that doesn’t mean you can drill at any time. It’s best to carry out work during normal daytime hours, take breaks, and notify neighbors with a note in the building entrance or a personal message.

It’s a dangerous mistake to assume that after moving in, there’s a “week when you can make as much noise as you want.” Neighbors are indeed often more tolerant of a short-term move, but this is not legal permission to violate nighttime quiet hours or the house rules.

Household Appliances and Noise from the Apartment

Washing machines, dryers, vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, televisions, and stereo systems are considered a normal part of daily life. However, if they can be heard through the wall late in the evening, at night, or regularly annoy neighbors, the conflict quickly escalates from a domestic issue to a legal one.

The most practical test: close the door to your room and step out into the hallway. If music, bass, or the TV can be clearly heard outside your apartment, it’s best to turn down the volume. At night, don’t base your decision on whether “it’s not loud to me,” but rather on whether the noise is keeping other residents from sleeping.

Musical Instruments

Playing a musical instrument in an apartment is generally not completely prohibited. However, the time, duration, and volume may be restricted by a lease agreement, house rules, or court rulings. Rehearsing at night and during quiet hours is almost always risky, especially if the instrument can be heard through the walls.

If you need music to work, this does not automatically give you the right to practice at night. A musician’s professional status may be taken into account when weighing the interests of all parties, but neighbors are also entitled to rest.

Parties and Guests

There is a common myth in Germany that you can throw a noisy party once a year without restrictions. It’s safer to assume that no such general right exists. Even a birthday, housewarming, or other celebration must comply with the quiet hours rules.

What reduces the risk of conflict:

1. Notify your neighbors in advance.
2. Leave your phone number so they can contact you before calling the police.
3. Turn off music on the balcony, in the garden, and near open windows.
4. After 22:00, switch to a quieter setting or move the gathering to a bar.
5. Make sure guests do not make noise in the building entrance or in the yard.

On New Year’s Eve, neighbors and the police are often more tolerant of noise, but this does not override safety regulations, fireworks restrictions, or local bans.

Showers, Footsteps, and Noise from Above

You may use the bathroom and toilet in the evening and at night. However, prolonged running water, loud conversations, music in the bathroom, or household chores after 22:00 can be a problem. If the building has specific rules for nighttime hours, it’s best to follow them until they are challenged.

Noise from upstairs is a common source of conflict in older buildings. The sound of footsteps alone isn’t always a violation. However, constant stomping, jumping, moving furniture at night, or inappropriate flooring can give you grounds to contact your landlord. If the problem is recurring, keep a noise log rather than arguing at the door every time.

Children, shouting, arguments, and pets

German practice is generally more tolerant of noise made by children than of music, parties, or construction work. A baby’s crying, young children playing, and normal family noises should not automatically be grounds for a complaint. That said, parents are obligated to be considerate of their neighbors: they should not encourage late-night stomping, should not allow noisy games in the stairwell, and should explain the building’s rules to their children.

Regular shouting by adults, loud arguments, nighttime disturbances, or constant dog barking are a different matter. In such cases, it’s best to record the dates, times, and nature of the noise. If there is a risk of violence or danger to people, call the police rather than the Ordnungsamt.

What to Do If Your Neighbors Are Making Noise

Start with the quietest approach possible, provided the situation is safe. People often don’t realize how well sound travels through walls.

1. Speak calmly and specifically: explain when the noise occurred, what exactly was disturbing you, and what you are asking for.
2. If you can’t speak to them, leave a short note—without threats or insults.
3. If the noise recurs, keep a Lärmprotokoll (noise log): date, time, duration, type of noise, witnesses.
4. Notify your landlord or property management if the noise is recurring and comes from other residents in the building.
5. Contact the Ordnungsamt if there are repeated violations of public order.
6. Call the police if the noise occurs at night, the situation is out of control, there is a danger, or your neighbors do not respond.

For non-emergency situations, it’s best to look up the contact information for the local police station or Ordnungsamt on the city or state’s official website. The number 110 is for emergencies only.

How to File a Complaint with the Ordnungsamt or Your Landlord

A complaint is more effective if it is based on facts rather than emotions. Be sure to include:

• your address and contact information;
• who is making the noise, if known;
• dates and times of violations;
• Type of noise: music, construction, shouting, barking, stomping;
• duration and frequency;
• What have you already tried to do?
• Are there any witnesses or other affected residents?

Anonymous reports are often useless: the authorities or the landlord need to know who is describing the situation and how to contact them for clarification. At the same time, in a conflict with neighbors, you shouldn’t exaggerate the facts: if the matter goes to an investigation or court, inaccurate statements will weaken your position.

Noisy Neighbors and Renting

If you’re renting, constant noise may constitute a defect in the apartment’s habitability. However, a rent reduction or termination of the lease due to a noisy neighbor is not an automatic outcome. Typically, evidence, written complaints, and time for the landlord to respond are required.

Compile a record over several weeks, attach messages, responses from the property management, and, if available, confirmations from neighbors. Before reducing your rent on your own, it’s best to consult a tenants’ association or a lawyer: an error in the amount or procedure could result in rent arrears.

If the dispute has already escalated to a legal level, it’s helpful to check whether your legal insurance covers disputes involving rent and neighbors. Such policies typically do not cover disputes that began before the policy was issued.

A Quick Checklist for Tenants

• Check the house rules before starting renovations, throwing a party, or filing a complaint.
• After 22:00, keep the volume at “Zimmerlautstärke.”
• Avoid noisy work on Sundays and holidays.
• Don’t rely on myths like “once a year, you can make noise all night.”
• In the event of a conflict, first document the facts, then contact your landlord, the Ordnungsamt, or the police.
• In case of dispute, do not take any legal action on your own without first seeking advice.

FAQ

Question	Answer
Is it okay to drill on Saturday?	It’s often allowed during the day, but you should check the house rules and city regulations. In the evening, at night, on Sundays, and on holidays, the risk of violating these rules is higher.
Is there a mandatory quiet period in Germany from 13:00 to 15:00?	Not as a uniform rule for all apartments. Such a “Mittagsruhe” may be specified in the building regulations, municipal rules, or in specific situations.
Is it okay to take a shower after 22:00?	Normal use of the bathroom is not prohibited in and of itself, but the noise must be reasonable and not turn into prolonged nighttime disturbance.
Who should you contact if your neighbors are having a late-night party?	If talking to them isn’t possible or safe, you can call the local police; in case of repeated violations, you should also contact your landlord or the Ordnungsamt.
Can you get a rent reduction due to noise?	Sometimes, yes, but only if there is proven substantial interference with the use of the dwelling. It’s best to seek advice before requesting a rent reduction.