Commercial Properties in Germany

For commercial leases in Germany, businesses typically need to provide:

• Business registration (Gewerbeanmeldung)
• Company extract from commercial register (Handelsregisterauszug)
• Financial statements or business plan for new companies
• Tax ID number (Steuernummer)
• Bank references and credit history
• Personal ID of company representatives
• For non-EU businesses: additional permits may be required

Our commercial leasing specialists can guide you through the document preparation process.

Commercial leases in Germany differ from residential leases in several key ways:

• Longer minimum lease terms (often 3-10 years)
• Less tenant protection compared to residential leases
• More flexibility in contract negotiation
• Different notice periods (typically 6-12 months)
• Maintenance responsibilities often fall on the tenant
• VAT may be applicable (19% in most cases)
• Rent increases may be tied to inflation indexes

It's advisable to have a legal expert review commercial lease agreements before signing.

When leasing commercial property in Germany, businesses should budget for these additional costs:

• Service charges (Nebenkosten) - typically 15-30% of base rent
• Property tax (Grundsteuer)
• Building insurance
• Maintenance reserves
• Utilities (if not included in service charges)
• Security deposit (typically 3 months' rent)
• Broker commission (often 2-3 months' rent + VAT)
• Renovation/fit-out costs
• Internet and telecommunications setup

Our listings clearly indicate which costs are included in the quoted price.

Modifying commercial spaces in Germany:

• Most commercial leases allow for reasonable modifications with landlord approval
• Structural changes typically require explicit written permission
• Building permits may be required for significant renovations
• Tenants are usually responsible for restoration costs at lease end
• "White box" spaces offer more flexibility for customization
• Some landlords offer fit-out allowances for long-term leases
• Modifications must comply with building codes and regulations

We can help negotiate favorable terms for space modifications in your lease agreement.

Commercial lease durations in Germany vary by property type and location:

• Standard office leases: 3-5 years
• Retail spaces in prime locations: 5-10 years
• Industrial and warehouse spaces: 5-15 years
• Coworking and flexible spaces: monthly to 2-year terms
• Option to extend: often included for 1-2 additional periods
• Break clauses: may be negotiable after minimum term
• Short-term leases: available but often at premium rates

We offer properties with various lease terms to match your business timeline and growth plans.