ImmoScout24: A Complete Guide for Renters, Buyers and Expats (2026)

Quick answer: ImmoScout (ImmoScout24, formerly ImmobilienScout24) is Germany’s largest online real estate marketplace for renting, buying and selling homes and commercial property. It’s owned by Scout24 SE, a Berlin-based company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker G24) and part of the DAX since September 2025. Searching and contacting landlords is free; renters can pay for an optional MieterPlus subscription (about €12.99–€39.99 a month) for early access to some listings.

ImmoScout24 at a Glance

Sources: Wikipedia: Scout24, Scout24 CEO announcement, Scout24 2025 results

Ownership note: Scout24 used to own AutoScout24 as well but sold it in 2020. Today the group focuses on real estate. The Swiss site ImmoScout24.ch is run by a separate company.

What You Can Do on ImmoScout24

• Rent: apartments, houses, furnished flats and shared flats (WG)
• Buy: apartments, houses, land and new-build projects
• Sell or let: private owners and agents list properties (paid listings)
• Commercial: offices, retail space and warehouses
• Tools: property valuation, mortgage comparison, price maps and moving services

Is ImmoScout24 Free?

For renters and buyers: browsing, saving searches, email alerts and contacting landlords are free.

Optional MieterPlus (Suchen+): a paid subscription for renters that costs about €12.99–€39.99 a month, depending on the plan and term (3, 6 or 12 months). According to Wohnticker, it includes:

• Early access to some private listings
• Your inquiries shown with priority to landlords
• A digital applicant profile

What it doesn’t include: a SCHUFA credit report (bought separately), and it doesn’t guarantee an apartment. There’s a 14-day withdrawal period; after that you’re usually bound to the minimum term.

Is it worth it? Mainly in very competitive cities (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt), and only if you reply to new listings immediately.

For landlords and sellers: listing a property costs money. Prices depend on the city, property type and listing duration.

How to Find an Apartment on ImmoScout24

1. Create a free account and fill in your tenant profile (Mieterprofil).
2. Set up search alerts with your budget, districts and must-haves, and turn on push notifications. Good apartments get dozens of inquiries within hours.
3. Prepare your documents in advance (see the checklist below).
4. Write a short, personal message. Introduce yourself, your job, your household and when you can move in. German is best, but English is fine for many landlords.
5. Respond fast and go to viewings (Besichtigungen) ready to hand over your documents.

Document Checklist (Bewerbungsmappe)

• Copy of your ID or passport (and residence permit if applicable)
• Proof of income: last three payslips or an employment contract
• SCHUFA credit report (Bonitätsauskunft)
• Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung: a letter from your previous landlord confirming you owe no rent
• Short self-introduction

SCHUFA: Germany’s Credit Report

Most landlords ask for a SCHUFA report. According to All About Berlin:

• Free option: you can request a free copy (Datenkopie) of your SCHUFA data once a year under GDPR Article 15. It contains the same information but is less convenient to share.
• Paid option: the official BonitätsAuskunft costs €29.95, and ImmoScout24 offers one at a similar price.
• New to Germany? You won’t have a SCHUFA record yet. Opening a bank account and signing contracts builds one.

Key German Rental Terms

Agent fees: under Germany’s Bestellerprinzip (since June 2015), whoever hires the agent pays the fee. For rentals that’s usually the landlord, so tenants normally pay no commission (ImmoScout24).

ImmoScout24 vs. Other German Property Sites

Avoiding Rental Scams

Rental scams are common in tight markets. Warning signs:

• The rent is far below the local average.
• The “landlord” is abroad and can’t show the apartment.
• You’re asked to pay a deposit or “key fee” before a viewing or signed lease.
• Payment requests by Western Union, crypto or gift cards.
• Pressure to move off the platform to WhatsApp or personal email right away.

Stay safe: only use the real domain, www.immobilienscout24.de; never pay before seeing the apartment and signing a lease; and report suspicious listings to ImmoScout24.

Tips for Expats

• English: the site and app have an English interface, but most listings are in German. Use a translator for the details.
• Anmeldung: you’ll need a signed lease and a landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) to register your address.
• Furnished first: many newcomers start with a furnished, temporary rental while they build a SCHUFA history.
• Insurance: many renters also take out personal liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) and contents insurance (Hausratversicherung).

FAQs

What is ImmoScout? ImmoScout24 is Germany’s largest online real estate portal for renting, buying and selling property.

Who owns ImmoScout24? Scout24 SE, a Berlin-based company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (G24).

Is ImmoScout24 free? Yes for searching and contacting landlords. MieterPlus is an optional paid subscription for renters.

How much is MieterPlus? About €12.99–€39.99 a month, depending on the plan and contract length.

Can I use ImmoScout24 in English? Yes, the interface is available in English, but most listings are written in German.

Do tenants pay agent fees in Germany? Usually not. Under the Bestellerprinzip, whoever hires the agent pays, which for rentals is normally the landlord.

How much is the deposit in Germany? Up to three months’ base rent (Kaltmiete).

Also read these articles:

• Renters Insurance: Protect Your Belongings and Peace of Mind
• 5 Important Considerations To Make When Applying For An Apartment
• Overview of Setting up a Company in Switzerland

This article is not affiliated with Scout24 SE or ImmoScout24. Prices and company figures were checked on October 3, 2026, and may change.