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How Much Does an Office Cost in Berlin? Prices and Package Options

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Key Points at a Glance (as of 2026):

  • In 2026, office rents in Berlin could range from €22 per square meter in outlying areas to €50 per square meter in prime locations such as Leipziger Platz and Potsdamer Platz.
  • Average cost per workstation: Coworking space €250–450, dedicated workstation €400–650, workstation in a business center €600–950 (all-inclusive).
  • With many providers, conference rooms, cleaning services, reception staff, and other services are included in the monthly flat rate, making them more affordable than having your own office with a traditional lease.
  • Security deposits: Typically, 3–6 months’ gross rent (excluding utilities) is required, while in a business center, 1–3 months’ net rent (excluding utilities) is required.

When looking at office rental rates in the Berlin office market in 2026, two distinct trends emerge: In premium locations, office rents in Berlin are reaching record-breaking levels (up to 48.90 €/m²), while for existing space and properties in outlying areas, average rents will drop noticeably to approximately €22/m² (see JLL Berlin Market Report Q4 2025). For small and medium-sized enterprises as well as startups, this means that when comparing office rents in Berlin, the price per square meter alone is not the decisive factor. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) criteria, hybrid models, and the desire for flexibility must be taken into account when choosing the right office in Berlin.

This comprehensive guide to office costs in Berlin provides a detailed breakdown of the actual pricing structure. It covers all the steps involved, from finding an office to signing a lease. Complete Guide to Renting Office Space in Berlin.

How much does an office cost in Berlin?

Short answer (as of mid-2026): According to recent market reports from Colliers and BNP Paribas Real Estate, standard office rent in Berlin ranges from €22 to nearly €50 per square meter (net rent excluding utilities). For equipped workspaces at coworking providers, companies pay approximately €250–450 per month. For a move-in-ready, furnished office for exclusive use, rates of €600–950 per workstation may be charged in premium business centers.

1. Office Rental Prices in Berlin - How Much Does an Office Cost? (A Comparison of Models)

To answer this question, we need to take a closer look. After all, the price ultimately depends on the operating model you choose. The financial cost therefore depends on whether you choose a full-service model or rent an empty space.

Traditional rental offices with a commercial lease

This model offers maximum flexibility, but also involves high upfront investment costs. In addition to the office rent in Berlin (net rent excluding utilities), there are additional costs for utilities, cleaning, and IT infrastructure. Costs for office furnishings must also be factored in.

  • Advantage: Complete design freedom, planning reliability.
  • Disadvantage: A high degree of capital tie-up, Long-Term Contracts (3 to 10 years), additional administrative duties.

Flex Desks & Dedicated Desks in Coworking Spaces

This model allows you to rent individual workstations within a shared space. But you’re probably wondering how much a coworking space in Berlin costs. A flexible desk—that is, a workstation that’s available on the day of your choice—starts at about 250 € per month. A dedicated workspace, which is reserved exclusively for you, costs about €650 per month.

  • Advantage: Contracts with no fixed terms; networking with other companies; a job is available immediately at any time.
  • Disadvantage: Privacy is virtually nonexistent; you must always expect disturbances and disruptions in your daily work, and the workspaces cannot be customized or designed in accordance with corporate identity.

Business Center / Serviced Offices

Business centers combine flexibility with absolute discretion by providing private offices. The monthly cost of an office in Berlin includes utilities, internet, furniture, and reception services.

  • Advantage: Full cost transparency (all-inclusive price), a professional environment, and the ability to have the service team handle many administrative tasks.
  • Disadvantage: The price per square meter is higher than the price per square meter of shell space when only the price per square meter is considered.

The Virtual Office

This model is ideal for companies where many employees work from home or remotely, and at the same time benefit from a prestigious business address in Berlin would like to benefit from.

  • Advantage: Very cost-effective; the existing infrastructure and prestigious address ensure a professional image and credibility.
  • Disadvantage: Physical workstations are not included; day offices and conference rooms can be booked separately.

2. What is the average price per square meter for office space in Berlin?

Office rental prices in Berlin can vary depending on the neighborhood. The average rent in 2026 is approximately €25.80–27.00 per square meter (net rent, excluding utilities). It is important to note the enormous price difference between properties in prime locations and offices in outlying areas.

See CBRE Germany, Berlin Office Market Report Q1 2026 (which puts the average rent at 26.97 €/m²) and büroflächen.berlin, Market Forecast 2026 (average rent stable at approximately 27.00 €/m²)

The following table shows realistic price ranges for traditional offices within the Berlin market area:

Berlin District / Submarket Price Range (Net Rent Excluding Utilities, 2026) Characteristics & Target Audience
Berlin-Mitte (Potsdamer Platz, Leipziger Platz, Friedrichstraße) €38.00 – €48.90 / m² Prestigious hub, premium setting, law firms, international corporations.
City West (Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf, Kurfürstendamm) €28.00 – €42.00 per square meter A traditionally highly professional environment, law firms, consulting firms, and a high quality of life.
Friedrichshain / Kreuzberg (Mediaspree, Schlesisches Tor) €26.00 – €38.00 per square meter International tech and creative hub, e-commerce, young talent, dynamic atmosphere.
B-Areas / Outlying Areas (Lichtenberg, Pankow, Tempelhof) €18.00 – €26.00 per square meter Solid existing properties, small and medium-sized businesses focused on cost savings, good local access.
Development Areas 2026 (including Tegel / Urban Tech Republic, Schöneweide, among others) €15.00 – €22.00 per square meter Deep-tech and clean-tech companies, large contiguous warehouses/spaces, proximity to research facilities.

Average Rent vs. Top Rental Rates: Where Does Octavus Stand?

At prestigious locations such as Leipziger Platz—which is also a major transportation hub in Berlin—the price per square meter for office space in Berlin can reach €48.90/m² and often exceed the budget. Expensive renovations also put an additional strain on finances.

With Octavus, you can avoid this drawback: The Premium Business Center is located right on Leipziger Platz / Potsdamer Platz and offers fully equipped offices for rent at Leipziger Platz Octavus provides transparent billing, thereby sparing companies a high investment risk. At the same time, tenant companies benefit from one of Berlin’s most prestigious addresses.

3. How much office space do I need per person?

When preparing a budget, calculating floor space is a critical factor. According to the German Workplace Guidelines (ASR), a precisely specified number of people per square meter of office space must be adhered to.

  • Work surface only: According to the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) and the implementing Technical Rule ASR A1.2, there must be at least 8–10 m² per employee in a Team Office be budgeted (in Open-plan offices (it must even be up to 12 m²).
  • Actual Gross Cost Estimate: If hallways, kitchenettes, restrooms, meeting areas, and server rooms are included, the total requirement is 15–20 m² per employee.

Example: A team of 10 employees requires approximately 150–200 m² under a traditional leasing model. Inside a business center Demand drops sharply because kitchens, meeting rooms, and other common areas are shared but do not incur any costs.

4. Hidden Costs: What Are Office Expenses, in Detail?

Simply using square-meter rates for office rent in Berlin often provides an inaccurate basis for calculation. If you decide to rent a traditional commercial property, you should be aware of hidden additional costs.

What are the office operating costs?

In the commercial sector, there is no cap on operating costs. This means that in addition to the rent, there are costs for water, property tax, and heating. Additionally, cleaning and maintenance contracts—for example, for elevators or fire protection systems—must be paid for.

Office Equipment Costs

If you rent a traditional office, you’re opting for a „bare" space. For you, this means you’ll need to invest in high-quality, ergonomic furniture, the installation of network cabling, and the construction of any partition walls. Per workstation, this can add up to €1,500–3,500 on top of the commercial rent in Berlin. For a furnished office in Berlin These purchases are eliminated entirely.

Broker Fees and Security Deposit

  • Security deposit: Traditional commercial landlords typically require security deposits equal to 3–6 months’ gross rent under the terms of the lease, which ties up liquid capital for the tenant.
  • Brokerage Fees: Even though we’re talking about a tenant’s market in 2026, commissions may still apply for certain properties.
  • Obligation to dismantle: When a tenant moves out, landlords very often require that all fixtures be removed at the tenant's expense and that the property be restored to its original condition.

5. Cost Accounting: A Real-World Example for a Team of 3 People

This sample calculation illustrates the impact of the differences between the systems on the tenant's monthly costs (a company with 3 employees that chooses a central location in Berlin).

Scenario A: Traditional Office Lease (50 m² of space in Mitte)

  • Net rent (excluding utilities) (50 m² × €35): €1,750
  • Utilities & Energy: 350 €
  • Internet, cleaning, electricity: 250 €
  • Depreciation of furniture/infrastructure (3 seats, calculated over 3 years): 250 €
  • Total monthly cost: approx. 2.600 € (plus a security deposit equal to 3–6 months' rent, payable in advance)

Scenario B: Serviced office in a business center (e.g., at Octavus on Leipziger Platz)

  • 3 fully equipped workstations in the private team office: Approx. €2,100 to €2,550
  • Includes: All utilities, cleaning, high-speed Internet, premium ergonomic furniture, unlimited coffee, and a professional mail and reception service.
  • Total monthly cost: approx. 2.350 € (with a security deposit of only 1–3 months)

6. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Office Costs in Berlin

Yes, this is usually the case. In the commercial sector, prices per square meter in Berlin’s prime locations are significantly higher than the average rent for residential units. In addition, a 19 % value-added tax is applied to commercial rents in Berlin if the tenant companies are not eligible for input tax credits. The structure of ancillary costs is also more complex.

For small and medium-sized businesses as well as startups, the following rule of thumb applies: The total cost of an office—that is, the all-inclusive rent covering all services—should under no circumstances exceed 5–10 % of monthly revenue. Alternatively, many companies calculate based on a fixed budget of 300–700 € in fixed costs per employee per month.

In Berlin in 2026, the vacancy rate has reached the threshold of 8.7–10.4 % (varies depending on the source of the real estate service provider’s analysis; see Colliers, 2026; JLL, 2026; Savills, 2026). This increase is due to the large number of newly completed buildings coupled with declining demand for space, particularly as a result of working from home. Tenants are benefiting from this: they have significant room to negotiate, particularly regarding lease terms and special provisions such as rent-free months.
Professional and reliable coworking providers come at a price. Completely free workspaces can be found in Berlin’s public libraries or university startup centers. However, you cannot receive mail there, and data privacy cannot be guaranteed. Furthermore, these locations lack business infrastructure.

Advantages: Short contract terms and notice periods, low investment, immediate start possible, networking with other companies.

Disadvantages: A lot of noise in the open areas; no corporate identity can be established in the space; little privacy during phone calls.

If you need additional space for storage or archiving in addition to your office, you can use off-site storage units in Berlin. These units cost €20–45 per square meter in Berlin. In business centers, you can usually rent existing storage space at lower rates.

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