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Is buildings insurance mandatory in Germany?
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How do I cancel building insurance in Germany?
In short
To end German building insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung) at the end of its term you give three months' notice. After a claim both sides may cancel within one month of settlement, and as the buyer of a house you have one month from your entry in the land register. Only cancel once the new policy is in place.
What it costs
What a switch can be worth, based on published examples as of 2026.
| Example | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Detached house, typical premium | about EUR 400 to 500 a year |
| Range depending on location and cover | about EUR 300 to 800 a year |
| Natural hazards cover in a safe area | about EUR 50 to 200 a year |
Guide values as of September 2026 from publicly quoted examples. Your premium depends on the building, location and cover; we obtain the exact quote for you.
Worked example
Policy ends on 31 December
How to work out the last day for your cancellation.
| End of policy | 31 December |
| Notice period | three months |
| Cancellation must arrive by | 30 September |
Send it in good time by registered letter (Einschreiben) or by email with confirmation of receipt.
Regular cancellation
Most policies run for one year and then renew automatically. Your cancellation must reach the insurer three months before the end date, not just be sent.
Under the German Insurance Contract Act (Versicherungsvertragsgesetz) you can end contracts with a term longer than three years at the end of the third year.
| Reason | Deadline |
|---|---|
| End of the term | three months before |
| After a claim | one month after the claim is settled |
| Buying a house, as buyer | one month after entry in the land register |
| Price rise without better cover | one month after receiving the notice |
| Adjustment only through the rebuild cost index | usually no special right |
What is different if you come from abroad
If you buy a house in Germany, the seller's building insurance passes to you automatically. You do not start with an empty house as you might in the UK or US, but you do take over a contract you did not choose. You then have one month from your entry in the land register (Grundbuch) to cancel it.
The contract and all letters are usually in German. The date a letter reaches you starts the deadlines, so open mail from your insurer promptly, even during long trips home.
If you sell or rent out your home when leaving Germany, the building still needs insurance. When you sell, the policy passes to the buyer. If you keep it and rent it out, tell the insurer, because an empty or rented house can change the cover.
Special cancellation after a claim or price rise
After a claim both you and the insurer may cancel. That can be worth it if the claim was handled slowly. Keep in mind that a new insurer will ask about previous claims.
If the insurer raises the premium without changing the cover, you may cancel within one month. The usual yearly adjustment through the rebuild cost index (Neuwertfaktor) usually does not count.
The right order when you switch
Accept the new offer first, then cancel. A house without cover is a risk you should never take.
If you have a mortgage, tell your bank about the new policy.
Step by step
- Find the end date and notice period on your policy document.
- Get a new offer with the same or better cover.
- Sign the new policy.
- Cancel the old policy in writing, quoting the policy number.
- Wait for confirmation and inform your bank.
Checklist
- New policy starts the day after the old one ends
- Cancellation states policy number and date
- Confirmation of receipt received
- Bank informed about the switch
Common mistakes
- Cancelling before the new policy is in place
- Counting the deadline from sending instead of receipt
- Not declaring previous claims to the new insurer
- Missing the one month window after buying a house
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Can I cancel building insurance monthly?
No. The term applies, usually one year, with three months' notice.
Can I cancel after a price rise?
Only if the premium goes up without any change in cover. The usual adjustment through the rebuild cost index is normally not enough.
What happens when I sell the house?
The policy passes to the buyer, who can cancel within one month of the land register entry.
Can I cancel in English?
Many insurers accept it. A short German letter with policy number and end date avoids delays.
Is an email enough?
Yes, text form is enough. Ask for confirmation.
Can the insurer cancel after a claim?
Yes, within one month after the claim is settled, with one month's notice.
Sources
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