Know Before You Go: Germany Housing Options
by Becca Stewart - August 18th, 2022
Congratulations on your assignment to Germany! Before you start exploring all this great country has to offer, you'll need to establish housing at your new installation. While some military installations have on-base availability, most American service members will live off base in Germany.
Once you have orders, contact the housing office at your gaining base to ask about your options. Some installations might have government housing available upon your arrival, but many have extensive waitlists. Most likely, you'll live in off-post housing for at least a portion of your time in Germany.
The military housing office is your best resource on the ground in Germany. Here, you'll find helpful staff who can give you the most up-to-date rental listings in the local area. You can also explore your on-base government housing options and add your name to a waitlist if required.
After checking in and attending a newcomer's brief, the service member should have ten "house-hunting days." During this time, you will be staying at a government-owned temporary lodging facility (TLF). Unlike a stateside (CONUS) move, you may apply to stay at the TLF or another lodging facility for 30 days or longer, though regulations vary by location. Ask your finance office for more details about longer-term temporary housing.
German Off-Base Housing
Many military installations in Germany have dedicated government housing on base. However, most do not have enough housing to accommodate all service members. Therefore, you should expect to live off base for at least a portion of your time in Germany.
While this might seem intimidating at first, there are plenty of resources to help you find the perfect German home. Before you arrive in Germany, check to see if there is a Bookoo.com site for your new base. Similar to sites like Craigslist in the U.S., Bookoo allows German nationals to list their properties for rent. This will give you a general idea of what you can expect based on your budget.
The AHRN website is another good place to start your search. While it's no longer the official U.S. government site for finding overseas housing, it will still help you narrow down your options before your move.
When you arrive in Germany, get to the housing management office as soon as possible. The Military Housing Office (MHO) coordinates with local landlords to ensure all rental listings are accurate and all properties meet health and safety standards. The MHO staff can also contact owners for you, helping overcome any language barriers you might have with the homeowner. After you sign a lease, the MHO will continue to provide translation assistance and support throughout your time in Germany.
Pros of Living Off-Base in Germany
Living in the local community is a great way to embrace the German culture and get the most out of your overseas experience. You can walk to the local Backerei for a pastry and coffee or wander through the lush green forests. And you will meet German nationals who can help you learn the language, traditions, and daily lives of your host country.
Logistically, living off-post is much easier when friends and family come to visit. Unlike living in government housing, visitors won't need a pass or an escort to get to your home.
Cons of Living Off-Base
While living in a German community is a great cultural experience, it's not always easy. German homes are very different from those in the U.S. They're often smaller, with minimal storage space. Your 110V American appliances won't work on the German 220V electric grid, so you'll need to buy a transformer or buy new appliances. German homes also don't typically have air conditioning, ceiling fans, or even screens on the windows.
Living in non-government housing means you'll have a longer commute to base – and you will be there often. Most American children will go to school at a Department of Defense Education Activity school (DoDEA), located on the installation. All your U.S. mail will go to an on-base post office box. And your favorite American foods (like peanut butter, taco kits, and root beer) can only be purchased at the commissary.
German On-Base Housing
Many service members and their families enjoy the convenience and familiarity that on-base housing provides. If government housing isn't available when you first arrive, you can put your name on a waitlist and move to an off-base rental in the meantime. If you're on the waitlist and an on-base home becomes available, the military will pay to move you onto the installation.
On-base housing options vary depending on location, rank, number of dependents, and other factors. There are typically three types of government housing in Germany.
Stairwell Living: You'll hear this term often while in Germany. A "stairwell unit" is similar to an apartment building in the U.S. Some stairwell housing has three or four bedrooms in a single unit. These buildings typically do not have elevators and can be several stories high.
Townhomes: Another popular on-base option is a townhome or paired homes. These units include two or more dwellings that share walls with other occupants. Each unit has its own entry, and some have a small storage space, garage, and yard.
Single-Family Homes: Single-family homes are uncommon in Germany, including on base. Typically, single-family houses are only available for installation commanders and high-ranking officers.
You can make specific housing requests (townhome instead of stairwell, for instance), but you'll typically be offered whatever is available.
Pros of On-Base Housing in Germany
Living on base feels like a little piece of home in a foreign country. Government housing provides familiarities like full-size appliances, larger kitchens, 120V-compatible electric, and closets. You'll also have built-in support networks and friends for your kids without having to overcome a language barrier first.
Living on base is also extremely convenient. Service members can often walk or bike to work. Children are just minutes away from school. You'll have easy access to grocery shopping, the fitness center, medical facilities, and the post office, all without waiting in line at the gate.
Cons of On-Base Housing
Living on base means living in an American bubble – and that's not always a good thing. Government housing offers little opportunity for interaction with locals. Far too often, service members and their families leave Germany without ever getting to really know the German people and their culture.
Additionally, having visitors can be a pain. Each time family members or friends come to visit, they'll need to stop and fill out paperwork and get a temporary ID (unless they have a valid military ID already). Even once your visitors have a temporary pass, you must accompany them while they're on base. If they leave the installation for the day, they will need to be escorted through the gate when they return.
Finally, government housing offers little choice. When a house becomes available, that's the house you take. You can't choose a specific building or street. Like most military housing, the units are relatively uniform. They lack the history and unique charm of houses in the local community.
Getting Settled in Germany
For many service members and their families, finding the right house is the most stressful part of living overseas. Whether on base or off, living in Germany is an incredible experience. It might take some time to feel settled, but before you know it, Germany will start to feel like home.
For more information about moving to Germany, check out the other posts in the Know Before You Go series.
Becca Stewart is an Air Force Spouse, mother of two, freelance writer, and sufferer of Wanderlust. Originally from Colorado, she enjoys anything outdoors, especially if there’s snow involved. She is a travel fanatic, always looking for her next great adventure. As a full-time writer, Becca works closely with several nonprofit organizations and is a passionate advocate for human rights and military families. Learn more at writebecca.com.
