PCS to Germany
Finding a house in Germany
Stars and Stripes
April 25, 2026
Whether you end up on or off base, this guide will help you understand how housing works while stationed in Germany. (oneinchpunch (123RF))
Source
Our 2026-2027 “Welcome to Germany” magazine is a guide for newcomers and is a vital resource for understanding your new home in Germany.
No matter where you live in Germany, on-installation housing is based on rank and family size. Typically, service members and families are required to live on installation unless housing is at or near capacity (the percentage varies by area, but it is roughly 95 percent). Unaccompanied service members are typically assigned to barracks, dorms or Officers’ Quarters.
Kaiserslatern Military Community
Baumholder: Wetzel Family housing, Smith Family housing, and unaccompanied service member housing in barracks
Ramstein: Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
Vogelweh: Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
Sembach: Unaccompanied service member housing
Landstuhl: Family housing
Kleber Kaserne: Unaccompanied E-6 and below service member housing
Germersheim Army Depot: No on-installation housing. All personnel have off-post housing services from the Kaiserslautern Housing Services Office on Kleber Kaserne.
Spangdahlem Air Base
There is family housing and unaccompanied service member housing.
USAG Ansbach
Katterbach Kaserne: Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
Bleidorn Kaserne: Family housing
Urlas Kaserne: Family housing
Bismark Kaserne: Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
USAG Bavaria
Netzaberg: Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
Rose Barracks (Vilseck): Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
Breitenau (Artillery Kaserne): Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
Hohenfels: On-installation units are available only for grades E1–E6.
USAG Stuttgart
Kelley Barracks: Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
Robinson Barracks: Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
Patch Barracks: Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
Panzer Kaserne: Family housing
USAG Wiesbaden
Hainerberg: Family housing
Aukamm: Family housing
Clay Kaserne & Newman Village: Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
Crestview: Family housing and unaccompanied service member housing
A majority of military families live off-installation in Germany. Living “on the economy,” is a wonderful way to truly embrace living overseas.
Finding a Home Your installation’s housing office with help you with finding a home. In general, the process is the same throughout Germany.
Search for homes:
Visit www.homes.mil to see approved available properties.
You may also find homes available from other sites and social media listing.
Schedule viewings to see houses you are interested in. A few things to consider:
Distance to work or school.
Check the cellphone reception while at the house.
Heating costs: Natural gas tends to be cheaper. Oil can be expensive and requires scheduling time to fill tanks.
Ask about internet service options.
Consider how much yard or snow removal upkeep the home requires.
Once you’ve decided on a home, schedule an appointment with your housing office.
All homes must be approved by the housing office.
Homes may need an inspection.
Only the approved military Housing Rental Contract may be used.
Loaner furniture and appliances
Temporary loaner furniture is available at most installations. This includes tables, chairs, sofas, beds and dressers. In addition, major appliances like washers, dryers, and some transformers are available to borrow for the duration of your tour. Schedule delivery of loaner furniture as soon as you’ve found a home.
The Utilities Tax Avoidance Program (UTAP) helps to offset the taxes added to German utility bills and is available through most installations in Germany. Water, electricity and natural gas can be included in UTAP; garbage, cable/satellite TV, sewage, telephone, Internet, heating oil or propane gas deliveries cannot be included in UTAP (see VAT office for exceptions). Signup at your on-installation UTAP office.
Savings
Electricity: 19 percent VAT and energy tax
Natural gas: 19 percent VAT and energy tax
Water: 7 percent VAT
Deposits waived
If you live on-installation, your internet choices may be limited to the one that the installation has a contract with. Also, if you live in a smaller village off-installation, you may only have one or two choices for internet.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): Many providers offer plans with flat-rate monthly fees based on transmission speeds.
Cable internet: Offers high-speed access and continuous connectivity but is not as widely available as DSL.
AFN (American Forces Network)
Provides programming from current U.S. networks, movies, and sports programming via its streaming service at AFN Now. Download the App and sign up at afn-now.myafn.mil.
Streaming services
Show availability will be based on your location. Example providers include Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu.