Key facts about logistics real estate in Germany
Location analysis for the perfect logistics site
Understanding cost structure of renting a logistics property
Rental price map overview
What defines a modern logistics property?
Buy or rent a warehouse?
German logistics real estate market report: brief overview
Renting a warehouse – have you already chosen a region in Germany?
Leasing a logistics property is a key step toward efficient supply chains and smooth operations. You will find a wide range of available spaces in our overview. However, before you decide on a specific warehouse, remember: the right location is the foundation for long-term success.
Why location is key
A well-chosen location reduces costs, shortens transport routes, and strengthens your competitiveness. Factors such as infrastructure, proximity to customers, the availability of skilled labor, and rental rates play a central role in this regard.
Finding the perfect logistics location with our web analysis tool
Our location analysis tool helps you identify and compare suitable regions based on data. This enables you to make informed decisions and determine where a new logistics property is truly worthwhile—before you begin a targeted search for the right facility.
Understanding rental cost structure of a warehouse in Germany: Transparency for tenants
Anyone looking to rent logistics real estate should have a clear understanding of the cost structure. Below, we use a realistic scenario to illustrate the composition of the monthly costs for a modern logistics property.
1. Net rent: Costs by area type
The monthly net rent is the decisive factor when comparing logistics properties. Costs vary according to the type of space, with warehouse space being the primary cost driver, as it accounts for the largest share of the total area.
Example:
- Warehouse space: €5.80/m² per month
- Office and staff areas: €13.50/m² per month
- Mezzanin space: €2.90/m² per month
Note: Net rents depend on the lease term. Longer terms generally result in slightly lower prices per square meter.
2. Additional monthly costs for parking spaces
For the operation of a logistics property, parking spaces are a significant component of the cost structure:
Example:
- Car parking spaces: approx. €20 per space/month
- Truck parking spaces: approx. €50 per space/month
3. Effective rent through incentives
Landlords frequently offer rental incentives to lease space more quickly. These reduce the average rent actually paid over the term of the lease. Typical incentives include rent subsidies and rent-free periods.
Example:
With a 5-year lease term including a 3-month rent-free period, there is already a noticeable reduction in the effective rent.
Effective warehouse rent: €5.51/m² per month
4. Overview of logistics property ancillary costs
Another significant cost factor is ancillary costs, which are incurred monthly in addition to the base rent (property operating costs, maintenance and repairs, insurance, groundskeeping, etc.). In practice, ancillary costs for logistics properties typically range from approximately €0.50 to €1.50 per square meter per month, depending on the quality of the property, energy consumption, and the scope of services provided.
Example:
Advance payment for ancillary costs: €0.90/m² per month
5. Administrative costs: Often overlooked
In addition to ancillary costs, service costs (often referred to as management fee) are incurred in most cases. These costs cover, among other things, commercial administration and property management.
Example:
Service costs: 2.5% of the net monthly rent
6. Value Added Tax (Sales Tax)
Statutory value-added tax (currently 19% in Germany) generally applies to all the cost items mentioned. In the commercial sector, this is usually added in full to the rent and ancillary costs.
The actual monthly cash outflow corresponds to the gross rent (including VAT)—even though, in most cases, the VAT is deductible as input tax.
7. Example: Overview of total monthly costs
The following table shows a complete sample calculation for a logistics property, including all cost components (5-year lease term and 3 rent-free months):
| Cost position | Calculation | Month (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse space | 8.000 m² × 5,80 € | 46.400 |
| Office and social space | 400 m² × 13,50 € | 5.400 |
| Mezzanin space | 700 m² × 2,90 € | 2.030 |
| Car parking spaces | 20 spaces x 20 € | 400 |
| Truck parking spaces | 5 spaces x 50 € | 250 |
| Net rent (nominal) | 54.480 | |
| Incentives | 3 months rent-free period | -2.724 |
| Effective net rent | 51.756 | |
| Ancillary costs | 9.100 m² × 0,90 € | 8.190 |
| Service costs | 2,5 % | 1.294 |
| Total (net) | 61.240 | |
| VAT (19 %) | 11.636 | |
| Total (gross) | 72.876 |
8. Other important contract components
In addition to costs, two contractual aspects warrant particular attention.
Indexation (inflation adjustment): Many lease agreements for logistics properties include an indexation clause, typically linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This means the rent rises or falls over time in line with inflation. While indexation does not affect the initial rent, it does impact cost trends in the medium term.
Security deposit: The security deposit serves as a safeguard for the landlord and is determined based on the tenant's creditworthiness. Common forms include bank guarantees and cash deposits (usually amounting to several months' rent).
For companies, this entails either tying up liquidity or incurring additional financing needs at the start of the lease. Particularly in the case of large logistics facilities, the security deposit can have a significant impact on overall financing.