Deutschland Kompass
STEP

Kündigung: Terminating Your Lease

Give your landlord 3 months' written notice — otherwise the contract renews automatically.

WHAT TO DO

What is it and when to do it?

The Kündigung is the formal notice to your landlord to end your tenancy. Under §573c BGB the minimum notice period for tenants is 3 months, running from the first day of the month after the letter is received. Missing the deadline means paying three extra months of rent.

Where and how much does it cost?

Write a simple letter in German: your address, the landlord’s address, the phrase “hiermit kündige ich den Mietvertrag”, your desired move-out date, and your signature. Send it as an Einschreiben mit Rückschein (about €4–5 at Deutsche Post) — far cheaper than an unplanned extra month of rent.

Common mistakes

👨🏻‍💻
Max recommends:

Sent the notice by ordinary post — the landlord claimed nothing arrived. Had to pay three more months. Always use Einschreiben mit Rückschein: a €4 receipt can save you €3,000.

👩🏼‍💼
Lea recommends:

Wrote the notice in a language the landlord understood — but the tenancy agreement was in German, so the letter had no legal force. Always write your Kündigung in the language of the contract.

Next step →

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much notice do I need to give? ▾

Under §573c BGB the minimum notice period for tenants is 3 months, counted from the first day of the month following receipt of the letter. If you want to leave on 30 June, the landlord must receive the letter by 3 April (legally: by the third working day of April).

Does the notice have to be sent by registered mail? ▾

The law doesn't require it, but registered mail with return receipt (Einschreiben mit Rückschein) is the only way to prove the date of delivery. Email and SMS have no legal force without a qualified digital signature. The return receipt costs around €4–5 and can save you months of rent.

What if the landlord doesn't acknowledge the termination? ▾

Silence is not a rejection. The termination takes effect on delivery of the letter — no confirmation from the landlord is needed. Keep the postal receipt and the signed return card: they are your legal proof.

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