GermanyWhat Is the Notice Period for Rental Termination?
The standard notice period for ordinary termination of a residential tenancy in Germany is three months, but it extends to six months after five years and nine months after eight years of tenancy.
What the Law Says
German law sets strict, tiered notice periods for ordinary termination of residential leases — and these periods automatically lengthen the longer a tenant has lived in the property. The rules are designed to protect long-term tenants from sudden displacement.
Under § 573c(1) of the German Civil Code (BGB), an ordinary termination by either landlord or tenant must be given in writing and received no later than the third working day of a calendar month to take effect at the end of the *second* following month (e.g., notice given by 3 April takes effect 30 June).
Crucially, the statutory notice period for the *landlord* increases with the length of the tenancy: it extends from three months to six months after five years of occupancy, and further to nine months after eight years. These extensions apply automatically — no agreement or renewal is needed.
Any contractual clause that shortens these periods for the tenant — or otherwise deviates to the tenant’s disadvantage — is void under § 573c(4). Tenants always benefit from the longer statutory periods, even if their lease says otherwise.
Additionally, § 568(1) requires all terminations to be in writing — oral or email notices are legally invalid. While not directly about duration, this formal requirement ensures clarity and enforceability of the notice timing.
Statutory TextDie Kündigung des Mietverhältnisses bedarf der schriftlichen Form.
— BGB § 568(1) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextDie Kündigung ist spätestens am dritten Werktag eines Kalendermonats zum Ablauf des übernächsten Monats zulässig. Die Kündigungsfrist für den Vermieter verlängert sich nach fünf und acht Jahren seit der Überlassung des Wohnraums um jeweils drei Monate.
— BGB § 573c(1) — German Civil Code
What Courts Have Said
German courts strictly enforce statutory notice periods and interpret extensions broadly to protect tenants’ stability. While the referenced case does not address notice period length directly, it underscores how courts prioritize tenant protections in transitional ownership scenarios.
The court confirmed that when a rented apartment is converted to condominium ownership and sold to a civil-law partnership (GbR), the eviction moratorium under § 577a BGB applies — reinforcing that tenant rights, including timing protections, survive structural changes in ownership.
What to Do
Check your move-in date to determine which notice period tier applies (3, 6, or 9 months) — count from the date you first occupied the apartment.
Serve or receive written notice by the third working day of a month, ensuring it specifies termination at the end of the second subsequent month.
If your lease tries to shorten the statutory notice period, disregard it — such clauses are legally void under § 573c(4).
Keep proof of delivery (e.g., registered mail with return receipt) to verify the notice was submitted on time.
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Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.