Moving to Germany means getting familiar with a new insurance culture — and Germans take insurance seriously. One policy that locals almost universally hold, yet many expats overlook, is the Hausratversicherung, or household contents insurance. Unlike building insurance (which your landlord typically handles), Hausratversicherung covers everything you own inside your flat or house: furniture, electronics, clothing, bicycles, and more. A single fire, burst pipe, or break-in can destroy years of accumulated belongings in hours. The good news? This type of cover is affordable, straightforward, and widely available — even for international residents. Here is everything you need to know.
Hausratversicherung is designed to protect your personal property against a defined set of risks. Standard policies typically cover:
Many insurers also offer optional add-ons for additional cover, such as:
It is important to note what Hausratversicherung does not cover: structural damage to the building itself (that is the landlord's responsibility under Gebäudeversicherung), your car, or third-party liability (which falls under Haftpflichtversicherung).
Hausratversicherung is one of the more affordable insurance products in Germany. Premiums depend on several factors:
For a typical one- or two-person flat in a German city, annual premiums range from around €50 to €150 per year — often less than €15 per month. Comparison portals such as Check24 or Verivox allow you to compare policies side by side and purchase online, often entirely in English or with straightforward German forms.
Getting household contents insurance in Germany is accessible for most international residents, regardless of visa status. You do not need German citizenship or a permanent residence permit to take out a policy. Here is what the process generally looks like:
If you live in a Wohngemeinschaft (shared flat), the situation can be more complex. The main tenant may hold a Hausratversicherung that covers the shared spaces, but your personal belongings in your room are often not automatically included. Check with your flatmates, and if in doubt, take out your own individual policy — some insurers offer affordable single-room cover.
No — unlike Krankenversicherung (health insurance), household contents insurance is entirely voluntary in Germany. However, given the low cost and the potential for significant financial loss, most financial advisers and expat communities strongly recommend taking it out, particularly if you own valuable electronics, musical instruments, or furniture.
Most Hausratversicherung policies are portable: you simply notify your insurer of your new address, and the policy continues to apply. There is typically a short transition period (often four to six weeks) during which both the old and new address are covered simultaneously, which is practical during a move. Always inform your insurer promptly after your Anmeldung at the new address.
German insurance contracts traditionally auto-renew annually and require notice (Kündigung) three months before the end of the contract period. However, following recent legal reforms, new policies signed after January 2025 must offer customers the right to cancel monthly after the first year. Always read the cancellation terms (Kündigungsfrist) before signing.
Standard Hausratversicherung generally only covers theft from your home. Items stolen from your car, at work, or on public transport are usually not covered unless you have a specific additional clause (Außenversicherung or Taschendiebstahl cover). Bicycle theft is a separate add-on that typically covers theft outside the home.
Hausratversicherung is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to protect yourself financially while living in Germany. For as little as €50 a year, you can ensure that a break-in, fire, or flood does not leave you replacing everything from scratch. As an expat, it is worth taking an hour to compare policies and get covered — especially before winter, when heating systems are under strain and the risk of water damage increases.
If you are unsure where to start, try an English-friendly option like Getsafe or use a comparison portal like Check24. If your situation is complex (high-value items, home office equipment, or living in a shared flat with multiple tenants), speaking to an independent insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler) can help you find the right fit.
Source: The Local Germany
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