# Insurance for coworking spaces and shared offices in Germany

> Coworking spaces and shared offices in Germany rent desks, private offices and meeting rooms to freelancers, start ups and companies, often on a monthly basis. People come and go all day, using your Wi-Fi, kitchen and equipment. For the operator that means liability, a lot of technology and a head lease that has to allow you to let space to others. This page shows what to insure.

Quelle/Source: https://www.nammert.com/en/business-insurance-coworking-space.php  
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Am I liable if a member trips over a cable?

If the cable was in your area of responsibility, yes. As operator you owe a duty of care for the premises. Public liability pays justified claims and defends unjustified ones. Make sure damage to the rented premises themselves is included too, as head landlords will hold you responsible for it.

## At a glance

- **Compulsory:** No specific statutory insurance for coworking operators; head landlords almost always require public liability cover
- **Tenancy law:** Under § 540 of the German Civil Code a tenant may not let third parties use the premises, in particular by subletting, without the landlord's permission
- **Biggest risk:** Water or fire damage puts the space out of use, members leave and the rent keeps running
- **Basic cover from:** about €300 a year of public liability for a small space, a guide figure from our own quoting work
- **Often forgotten:** Damage to the rented premises themselves and data breaches through shared Wi-Fi

## What goes wrong in this trade

- **Accidents on site:** A visitor trips over a cable or slips in the kitchen.
- **Damage to the premises:** A dishwasher leaks, the landlord's parquet floor is ruined and the landlord wants it replaced.
- **Theft:** Members' laptops go missing and the access control is blamed.
- **Network and data:** Malware spreads through the shared network or the booking system is encrypted.
- **Closure after a loss:** After a fire the space is unusable for weeks while rent and loans keep running.
- **Disputes:** Subletting without permission, unpaid invoices, terminated memberships.

**Risk radar** (Compared with other trades, 1 low to 5 high.): Liability 4, Fire and water 4, Theft 3, Cyber 4, Downtime 4, Health 1

## The insurance you need

- **Business liability** (Essential): Covers injury and property damage to members and visitors, including damage to the rented premises. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-liability.php
- **Business contents** (Strongly advised): Covers furniture, kitchen and fittings against fire, water, burglary and storm. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-contents.php
- **Electronic equipment** (Strongly advised): For printers, screens, network equipment, conference systems and access control. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-electronic-equipment.php
- **Cyber insurance** (Strongly advised): Covers attacks on network and booking system and data protection breaches. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-cyber-insurance.php
- **Business interruption** (Strongly advised): Keeps paying rent, loans and lost income after an insured property loss. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-interruption.php
- **Business legal expenses** (Depends on the business): Legal expenses for disputes with the head landlord, members and suppliers. https://www.nammert.com/en/insurance-broker-business-legal-expenses.php

## What it costs: example prices

Premiums depend on floor space, number of desks, value of equipment and turnover. Events and catering push up liability.

| Insurance | Example | Typical range |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Business liability | Small space, 40 desks, damage to rented premises included | about €300 to €700 a year |
| Business contents | Fittings worth €150,000 | about €300 to €700 a year |
| Electronic equipment | Equipment worth €60,000 | about €400 to €900 a year |
| Cyber insurance | Operator with €500,000 turnover, €250,000 cover | about €600 to €1,400 a year |

For comparison: Public liability for a small coworking space costs about as much a year as one fixed desk for a month.

_Guide figures from our own quoting work, October 2026, excluding German insurance premium tax. The linked source supports the legal statement on this page, not the prices._

- [Gesetze im Internet: § 540 BGB, use by third parties](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgb/__540.html)

## Our suggestions: three packages

- **Small space** (up to 40 desks on leased premises): Business liability, Business contents, Electronic equipment. Together: about €1,000 to €2,300 a year
- **Business centre** (several floors with offices, meeting rooms and reception): Business liability, Business contents, Electronic equipment, Cyber insurance, Business interruption. Together: about €2,500 to €6,000 a year
- **Multiple sites** (operators with several locations and app booking): Business liability, Business contents, Electronic equipment, Cyber insurance, Business interruption, Business legal expenses. Together: tailored, usually from about €6,000 a year

## The worst day in the coworking space

Five things that really happen to operators, here on a single Tuesday. Tap through and see who pays.

- 07:30: The dishwasher in the shared kitchen has leaked and the landlord's parquet has swollen. (€9,000, Paid by: Business liability)
- 09:15: A visitor trips over an extension lead and breaks a wrist. (€6,000, Paid by: Business liability)
- 11:00: Ransomware encrypts the booking system. (€14,000, Paid by: Cyber insurance)
- 14:30: A power surge destroys the conference system and printer. (€7,000, Paid by: Electronic equipment)
- 17:45: One floor is closed for three weeks of drying, members ask for credit notes. (€12,000, Paid by: Business interruption)

**Damage so far:** €48,000

## Practical tips from your broker

- Have the head lease expressly allow you to let desks and offices to third parties.
- Check that your liability policy includes damage to rented premises, including water damage.
- State in your membership terms that members insure their own devices.
- Separate guest Wi-Fi from the network for admin, payments and access control.
- Choose a business interruption indemnity period long enough for a major refurbishment.

## Why NAMMERT for your business

- **Lease and insurance thought through together:** We match what your landlord requires with what your membership terms promise.
- **Property, tech and cyber in one place:** We align contents, electronics and cyber so nothing overlaps and nothing is missing.
- **Family run since 1989:** Norman Nammert arranges your cover as an insurance broker, in English if you prefer. Our work is free for you; the insurer pays our commission.

## FAQ

### Is insurance compulsory for a coworking space in Germany?

Not by law. Head landlords almost always require public liability, often including damage to the rented premises.

### Can I simply let my leased space to members?

No. Under § 540 of the Civil Code you need your landlord's permission. Ideally it is written into the head lease.

### Are my members' laptops insured?

Usually not under your contents policy. You are only liable if you were at fault. Members should insure their own devices.

### Do I need cyber insurance?

With shared Wi-Fi, an online booking system and digital access control the risk is real. Cyber cover pays for recovery, forensics and third party claims.

### What does cover for a small space cost?

About €1,000 to €2,300 a year for liability, contents and electronics, as a guide figure excluding premium tax.

## Request quotes

We obtain quotes and come back with a comparison, free of charge. You can write in English. https://www.nammert.com/en/business-insurance-coworking-space.php#anfrage

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Your broker: Norman Nammert, trading as NAMMERT. Insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act. Broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH is a separate company. It does not arrange your contract.

NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, Karl-Marx-Straße 4, 15711 Königs Wusterhausen, +49 3375 29 12 77, info@nammert.com. Wikidata: Q141141479.