Bremen Eviction Process: Notice Periods, Causes, and Procedures
A complete guide to evictions in Bremen, Germany. Understand the required notice periods, valid causes (Eigenbedarf), and eviction lawsuit procedures.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: May 2026.
German housing law provides extremely extensive protection for residential tenants. Terminating an open-ended lease is intentionally difficult and strictly regulated by the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch – BGB), which originally came into force on 1 January 1900. As a landlord in Bremen, you must understand the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary termination to end a tenancy legally without facing severe penalties.
Legal DisclaimerThis guide provides general legal information. Lease laws can change. Always consult a licensed notary or lawyer in this region.
Ordinary Termination (Ordentliche Kündigung)
To issue a standard notice of termination, a landlord must demonstrate a legitimate interest (berechtigtes Interesse) as outlined in § 573 BGB
A landlord cannot terminate a contract simply because they want a different tenant or seek to re-list the property at a higher rent.
Valid Grounds for Termination
Statutory Notice Periods If
a valid ground is met, the duration of the required notice period depends on how long the tenant has continuously lived in the property:
For the notice to take effect at the end of the subsequent designated month, the termination letter must physically reach the tenant by the third working day of the primary month.
Extraordinary Termination (Fristlose Kündigung)
In cases of severe dispute or breach of trust, the landlord may terminate the lease effective immediately without providing a notice period.
Grounds for Immediate Eviction
- Rent Arrears: The tenant is fully behind by two months' rent for two consecutive dates, or is in arrears with a not insignificant part of the rent for two consecutive dates (which for residential leases means more than one month's rent), or holds a cumulative debt over a period extending over more than two dates that equates to at least two months' rent (§ 543 BGB, § 569 BGB).
- Severe Disruption of Peace: Persistent and severe breaches of house rules despite formal written warnings (Abmahnung).
- Endangering the Property: Severe neglect resulting in substantial material risk to the property.
- Illegal Subletting: Handing the apartment over to unauthorized third parties without permission.
Grace Period Loophole (Schonfristzahlung): German law provides tenants with a one-time safety net under § 569 para. 3 No. 2 BGB. If a tenancy is terminated due to rent arrears, the tenant can neutralize the termination if they pay off the entire debt within two months of receiving a formal eviction lawsuit. This defense can only be used once every two years.
The Eviction Lawsuit (Räumungsklage)
If a tenant refuses to vacate the property voluntarily after receiving a legally valid termination notice, the landlord is strictly prohibited from executing a "self-help" eviction (e.g., changing locks, removing belongings)
Instead, the landlord must file a formal eviction lawsuit.
- Filing: File the Räumungsklage at the local district court (Amtsgericht in Bremen or Bremerhaven).
- Delivery: The court officially serves the lawsuit to the tenant.
- Court Hearing: Usually occurs within 2 to 4 months.
- Judgment: If the landlord wins, the court issues an enforceable eviction title (Räumungstitel).
- Physical Eviction: A licensed court bailiff (Gerichtsvollzieher) executes the eviction.
Timeline: The entire court eviction process in Bremen generally takes between 3 and 8 months.
The Hardship Clause (Sozialklausel)
Under § 574 BGB, a tenant can contest a legally valid termination notice if vacating the apartment would constitute an "unjustifiable hardship" (unzumutbare Härte) for them or their family
Examples include advanced age, severe illness or disability, advanced pregnancy, or students taking final exams. The court weighs the tenant's hardship against the landlord's legitimate interests.
Best Practices for Landlords
- Formal Written Warnings (Abmahnung): Except for qualifying financial arrears, you must issue a formal written warning demanding behavioral correction before you can legally terminate a contract for breaches of duty.
- Written Termination: All termination notices must be given in writing, officially signed, and expressly detail the grounds for termination.
- Double Termination Strategy: When issuing a "termination without notice," simultaneously issue an "ordinary termination" as a fallback in case the court rejects the immediate eviction
Back to the Bremen Landlord-Tenant laws Overview.
Sources & Official References
Frequently Asked Questions
▶What is the eviction process for landlords in Bremen?
The eviction process in Bremen requires landlords to follow formal legal procedures established by both regional and national law. Valid grounds typically include non-payment of rent, lease violations, or the landlord's personal use of the property. Landlords must provide proper written notice, allow any required cure periods, and may need to obtain a court or tribunal order.
▶What are the key landlord-tenant laws in Bremen?
The state of Bremen, consisting of the cities of Bremen and Bremerhaven, follows the federal German Civil Code (BGB) regarding landlord-tenant relations. However, due to continuous pressure on the housing market, the state government has enacted region-specific ordinances—most the rent brake (Mietpreisbremse) and a lowered cap on rent increases (Kappungsgrenze). Crucially, these specific protections primarily apply to the city of Bremen and do not extend to Bremerhaven. Additionally, since January 2024, the city of Bremen operates under a qualified rent index (qualifizierter Mietspiegel). This guide covers the essential compliance requirements for property owners and landlords.
Read the complete guide▶What are the rent increase rules in Bremen?
Bremen has specific rules governing when and how landlords can increase rent, which may include caps on the percentage of increase, minimum notice periods, and restrictions on frequency. These rules may differ from national standards, so landlords must check regional regulations.
Read the complete guide▶What are the security deposit rules in Bremen?
Security deposit rules in Bremen govern how much landlords can charge, how deposits must be held or protected, and the timeline for returning deposits after a tenancy ends. Landlords must provide itemized statements of any deductions and comply with all regional and national statutory deadlines.
Read the complete guide▶What are the mandatory lease requirements in Bremen?
Lease agreements for rental properties in Bremen must comply with both regional and Germany national law. Required elements typically include the names of both parties, property description, rent amount and payment terms, deposit details, lease duration, and maintenance responsibility allocation.
Read the complete guide▶What are landlord maintenance obligations in Bremen?
Landlords in Bremen are required to maintain rental properties in a habitable condition, ensuring the structure, plumbing, electrical systems, and essential services are in proper working order. Regional laws in Bremen may impose additional requirements beyond the national standard.
Read the complete guide▶What are the late fee rules in Bremen?
Bremen has specific rules regarding late fees and penalties for overdue rent. These may include mandatory grace periods, caps on fee amounts, and restrictions on interest charges. Check both regional and Germany national regulations for the applicable rules.
Read the complete guide▶What disclosures must landlords provide in Bremen?
Landlords in Bremen must disclose relevant property information to prospective tenants before the lease is signed. Required disclosures may include known defects, environmental hazards, previous damage, and any conditions affecting the tenant's use of the property, in compliance with both regional and national law.
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