Housing

Renting an apartment in Jena

In Jena, as in many other growth and university areas, it can be difficult and can take time to find an affordable apartment to rent. In particular, larger apartments with four or more rooms are very popular with families, and with students who want to flatshare. The city of Jena has recognised this issue, and vows to create more new living spaces. It aims to have 2,000 new apartments built by 2030.

The cost of renting or buying an apartment or house is currently higher than the regional average due to the high demand. The average rent for existing contracts in Jena in 2021 was approximately €6 per m² (rent only, excluding utilities). Local housing cooperatives in particular contribute to this figure.

The heating, water, electricity and telephone bills will need to be paid in addition to the ‘Kaltmiete’ (i.e. net rent excluding utilities). ‘Warmmiete’ is rent with utilities included, except for phone/internet. The average rent (‘Kaltmiete’) in 2024 was €10,99 per m² in Jena.

If you come to Jena from another country, some of the housing regulations will certainly be new to you. Landlords or letting agents in Germany generally require a deposit (‘Kaution’) of between one and two months rent, which they keep in a separate bank account as security. This will be returned to you at the end of the tenancy if there is no damage to the accommodation.

A letting agent can help you look for accommodation. If you want to use this service, their commission for finding you an apartment can be as high as three months rent. Do not pay any deposit, rent or commission before the actual rent agreement has been signed.

The team at the Welcome Center Jena will be happy to advise you on any questions regarding living in Jena, or finding housing.

Buying an apartment/house in Jena

The city’s land market is one of the most expensive in eastern Germany. According to the Wohnstadt-Monitoring report, the price level is an expression of the high attractiveness of the location, but also the result of high development costs due to the topography. In 2021, the price range of building plots for detached and semi-detached houses was between €90 and €710/m², with an average price of €391/m².

Municipal building land is marketed and sold by the city’s own in-house enterprise Kommunale Immobilien Jena. Building land is currently being offered for sale for commercial and private housebuilding in the new residential area of ‘Am Oelste’ in the north of the city. Allocation is according to assessment criteria: priority is given to applications from families with children who want to develop the land.

You can find some information and consulting services for people interested in building here.
Houses and apartments currently for sale in Jena can be found on the usual online portals.

Accommodation for newcomers

When you arrive in Jena, you have the option of staying initially in a hotel, a holiday apartment or a youth hostel. The usual online portals will assist in your search. Furnished apartments are offered rather rarely and are more price-intensive. Rooms for interim rent in one of the numerous shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaft, abbreviated WG) are relatively inexpensive in comparison and offer social contacts to queickly get to know the city. Shared apartments are especially popular with younger people such as students and young professionals.