Your own house with a garden? A stylish old flat in the city centre? Or would you prefer a modern loft? The choice is yours in Thuringia! The housing market is relaxed and the price level is one of the most favourable in Germany - the best conditions for creating a home here.
Of course, there are differences: In Erfurt, Jena or Weimar, property is more sought-after and therefore more expensive. But those who prefer greener and quieter surroundings will find interesting alternatives in rural regions - often just a few minutes away from the nearest motorway junctions.
Favourable rents
For anyone looking for a flat to rent: Thuringia scores with fair prices. The average net cold rent in the state is currently €6.44/m². Rents range between €4.81/m² and €16.16/m² depending on location, furnishings and size.
By comparison, the average rent in Bavaria is €10.32/m², in Baden-Württemberg €10.20/m² and across Germany €8.55/m².
Average rents are highest in Jena (€9.80/m²), followed by Weimar (€8.46/m²) and Erfurt (€8.23/m²). However, those who do not want to live directly in the city will find significantly cheaper alternatives in the surrounding area.
You can find the latest information on property prices in Thuringia's districts and independent cities at immobilienscout24
Affordable condominiums and houses
If you would rather fulfil your dream of owning your own four walls, Thuringia is also the right place for you. The average price for flats in the state is €1,349/m² and for houses €202/m².
By comparison, the average price for condominiums in Germany is €2,592/m² and for houses €3,102/m².
- In Erfurt, condominiums cost an average of €2,619/sqm and houses €3,059/sqm
- In Eisenach, the price per square metre for condominiums is €1,531 and for houses €2,371.
- In cities such as Gera (€1,163 and €2,055/m²) or in the Altenburg district (€1,022 and €1,900/m²), residential property is even cheaper.
Rural areas offer favourable opportunities for buying property, especially for young families who are looking for a good work-life balance.
Current information on property prices in Thuringia's districts and independent towns can be found on immobilienscout24.
Properties to rent or buy can be found on well-known web portals such as:
Favourable building land prices
At an average of €77.41/m², land prices in Thuringia are the cheapest in Germany. Prices vary depending on the region:
- In Erfurt, Jena and Weimar, prices per square metre start at €120
- In exclusive city locations, €450/m²is demanded via
- In some rural regions, properties are available for less than €5/m²
The Thuringian State Office for Surveying and Geoinformation offers an online land value information system(BORIS-TH). The standard land values for properties throughout Thuringia can be called up here free of charge.
You can find offers for residential building land here:
Thuringia offers attractive job opportunities for skilled workers. The labour market is growing with innovative companies from key sectors such as automotive, optics and medical technology. Medium-sized global market leaders and globally active companies are driving the location forward, while close networking with universities and research institutes ensures innovation. Thanks to its strong economy and numerous successful companies, Thuringia offers exciting career opportunities in an environment with a high quality of life.
Labour market
Thuringia combines attractive career opportunities with a high quality of life. Innovative companies, strong industries - from automotive to medical technology - and a multifaceted research landscape with renowned universities and institutes await you here.
Your benefits as a specialist in Thuringia:
- Exciting jobs in fast-growing industries
- Shortercommutes and more free time
- Favourablecost of living compared to other federalstates
- Family-friendly employers and excellent childcare
Whether you are looking for a career change or a new start - our Thuringian Agency for the Recruitment of Skilled Labour (ThAFF) will be happy to advise you. You can find current job vacancies in the Thuringian job exchange.
The economy
Thuringia is a business location with tradition and a future. Medium-sized global market leaders, high-tech start-ups and global players from sectors such as automotive, optics, medical technology and mechanical engineering are driving innovation here. Thanks to its central location in Germany and Europe, companies benefit from excellent infrastructure and short distances.
Economy in figures:
- over1.1 million people in employment and an unemployment rate of just 5.3%
- around 90 % of companies are characterised by medium-sized businesses
- Cutting-edge research at 13 universities and numerous institutes
- strong export orientation
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Successful companies
Thuringia is home to numerous successful companies and hidden champions that set standards worldwide. From high technology and mechanical engineering to medical technology and food production - innovations that are in global demand are created here. Names such as Jenoptik, Carl Zeiss, Bosch and Melexis stand for cutting-edge technology. But traditional brands such as Opel Eisenach, Storck (Knoppers, Toffifee) or Köstritzer Schwarzbier also point to the diversity of the Thuringian economy. If you are looking for exciting career prospects in a dynamic environment, you have come to the right place!
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Thuringia - harmonising family life and professional challenges
Thuringia is family-friendly. Work and family life can be combined particularly well here. Be it through companies that support their employees with flexible working time models, places in neighbouring kindergartens or financial subsidies. Or through the wide range of day care centres: The childcare rate for children between the ages of 3 and 6 is 95 per cent - a top figure in Germany! Work and family life can be optimally combined here. Be it through companies that support their employees with flexible working time models, places in neighbouring kindergartens or financial subsidies. Or through the wide range of day care centres: The childcare rate for children between the ages of 3 and 6 is 98 per cent!
Comprehensive childcare
From the first birthday until the end of primary school, Thuringia guarantees every child a place in a day care centre. Depending on their age, children receive caring supervision in a crèche, kindergarten or after-school care centre. Alternatively, publicly funded childminders look after the little ones all day.
Good childcare is also provided for children in primary school. Every child in Thuringia has a legal right to after-school care from the time they start school until they finish primary school. In addition, a large number of primary schools offer leisure and sports programmes for the young pupils.
Family-friendly employers
More and more Thuringian companies are doing their bit for families. They offer their employees
- Family-friendly, flexible working hours
- Part-time and home office
- Financial subsidies
- Places in neighbouring daycare centres
- Own company kindergartens
Our Thuringian Agency for the Recruitment of Skilled Labour (ThAFF) informs and supports employees and companies in all matters relating to the compatibility of work and family life, in particular childcare and caring for relatives.
Thuringia offers the best conditions for lifelong learning - from school to an academic career. A high-performance school system with flexible educational pathways provides the basis. Renowned universities, practical universities of applied sciences and specialised educational institutions provide a sound education and corresponding career prospects. Whether traditional school education, dual study programmes or international qualifications - Thuringia has the right educational pathway for everyone.
Proven school system
Thuringia regularly ranks among the top federal states in the education sector. Small classes, committed teachers and a high level of performance ensure that pupils are well educated. The school types include:
- Community school (grades 1-12)
- Comprehensive school
- Grammar school
- Special school for children with special needs
The system enables flexible educational pathways and qualifications:
- Hauptschulabschluss after grade 9
- Realschulabschluss after year 10
- Abitur after year 12
The Gemeinschaftsschule in particular offers longer joint learning until at least year 8 and enables all qualifications up to the Abitur.
With the Thuringia International School (this), there is also an international school in Weimar whose graduates receive an internationally recognised certificate with the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Renowned universities and colleges
Thuringia has a lively university landscape. Well-known universities include the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena and the Technical University in Ilmenau.
There are also a large number of universities of applied sciences and private educational institutions offering a wide range of degree programmes and subject areas.
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Thuringia combines a top location, fast connections and stress-free mobility - perfect for anyone who wants to live a well-connected yet relaxed life.
Thuringia is in the centre of Germany! That means short distances in all directions! Whether travelling for business or pleasure - destinations can be reached quickly from Thuringia. Thanks to the ICE hub in Erfurt, it takes around two hours to get to Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt from here. Five motorways (A4, A9, A38, A71, A73) connect the region with the whole of Germany. Thuringia is one of the least congested federal states in the ADAC congestion statistics.
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Imposing forests and waters
Thuringia is a true natural paradise - where lush green meets glittering blue. With 32% forest cover, the state is one of the most densely wooded regions in Germany. The three low mountain ranges Harz, Rhön and Thuringian Forest characterise the landscape and offer recreation seekers and nature lovers countless opportunities to enjoy the beauty of nature.
The Hainich National Park - home to the largest contiguous deciduous forest in Central Europe - delights visitors with its fascinating treetop trail, unspoilt beech forests and the rare wildcat. In autumn, the area is transformed into a spectacular play of colours of gold, red and brown.
The river landscapes of the Saale, Unstrut, Werra, Schwarza and Ilm invite you to discover them - whether on a relaxing walk, a canoe trip or fishing. In summer, more than 30 natural bathing waters and reservoirs offer perfect conditions for swimming, paddling or simply relaxing by the water. Those who prefer a more comfortable experience will find pure relaxation and wellness in the numerous adventure pools and thermal baths.
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- Hainich National Park
- Harz Tourism Association
- Thuringian Forest
- Rhön Biosphere Reserve
- Swimming fun in Thuringia
Varied opportunities for leisure activities
TOb on land, on water or in the air - Thuringia is a paradise for outdoor fans! Hiking, horse riding, climbing, golf, rafting, rafting, inflatable boat tours or paragliding - here everyone can find their own personal challenge or a relaxing retreat in nature.
Thuringia is one of the most famous hiking regions in Germany! The famous Rennsteig, with its almost 170 kilometres, is the oldest continuous high-altitude hiking trail in Germany and offers breathtaking views.
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Cycling in Thuringia
Whether you prefer a relaxed ride through idyllic river valleys or a sporty ride on challenging trails - cycling in Thuringia is fun! More than 2,000 kilometres of cycle paths lead through breathtaking landscapes, past historic towns and impressive natural scenery.
Highlights:
- Rennsteig cycle path - 200 kilometres through the Thuringian Forest
- Ilmtal cycle path - enjoyable cycling from Ilmenau to the Saale river
- Thuringian Chain of Towns cycle route - experience culture & history by bike
- Bike parks & mountain bike trails for adrenaline junkies
Whether for work, leisure or sporting challenges - Thuringia will get you going!
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A paradise for winter sports enthusiasts
When it snows, Thuringia turns into a winter sports Mecca. Whether cross-country skiing on hundreds of kilometres of groomed trails, beautifully situated downhill runs with modern lifts or snowboarding fun - there's something for everyone here.
Unique in Germany: Oberhof is home to Germany's first indoor ski centre for Nordic winter sports, which offers both top athletes and recreational athletes perfect conditions all year round.
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Wellness for body and soul
Brine, peat, sulphur, mineral springs and thermal water: these are Thuringia's natural remedies, which have been tried and tested for hundreds of years. If you want to relax, the best place to do so is in the Thuringian Forest or in the many health resorts. Here you will find everything from traditional wellness offers to modern relaxation techniques for a few relaxing days.
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Doctors and hospitals
Thuringia has 45 clinics and four medical treatment centres that provide basic and emergency medical care.
Whether in the clinic or in private practice: around 10,000 doctors practise in the Free State. This number has risen continuously in recent years and is expected to continue to grow. Thuringia also owes this to the immigration of many qualified doctors from abroad. In addition, state-funded initiatives ensure that the impending increased demand for general practitioners and specialists is strategically addressed - especially in rural regions.
The internationally renowned Waldkliniken Eisenberg, one of Germany's leading specialist orthopaedic clinics, is one of the beacons in the Thuringian hospital landscape. Opened in 2020, the circular new building designed by architect Matteo Thun combines state-of-the-art medical equipment with hotel comfort and is attracting attention worldwide.
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A rich history, world-famous personalities and impressive cultural diversity - all this makes Thuringia a unique cultural landscape. It is not for nothing that the federal state bears the title "Land of Poets and Thinkers". The classical city of Weimar, Wartburg Castle in Eisenach and the historic Krämerbrücke in Erfurt are just some of the cultural flagships that attract visitors from all over the world.
Historic cities - history you can touch
In Erfurt, a walk across the Krämerbrücke bridge takes you straight back to the Middle Ages: narrow alleyways, picturesque squares and lovingly restored half-timbered houses make it the longest bridge with houses in Europe - a real gem in the centre of the Thuringian state capital.
Weimar is inextricably linked with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller. Some of their most important works were written here. But it is not only German classicism that has left its mark in Weimar: Walter Gropius founded the world-famous Bauhaus here in 1919, which became the cradle of modern architecture with artists such as Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and Lyonel Feininger.
Thuringia has also left a lasting mark on the history of music: Johann Sebastian Bach, born in Eisenach, is considered one of the greatest composers of all time. Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner also found inspiration in Thuringian cities. Ludwig van Beethoven once said of Bach: "Not Bach - he should be called Meer".
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Theatres, museums and festivals - culture for every taste
With around 200 theatres, opera houses, museums and orchestras, Thuringia offers a cultural programme that is second to none in Germany. Highlights include
- Deutsches Nationaltheater Weimar - a stage with worldwide appeal
- Meiningen State Theatre - known as the "cradle of modern director's theatre"
- Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach - one of the most traditional orchestras in Germany
- Liebhabertheater Schloss Kochberg - a baroque gem on the European Route of Historic Theatres
Summer in Thuringia belongs to the big cultural festivals: the DomStufen-Festspiele in Erfurt, the Jenaer Kulturarena or the Kunstfest Weimar attract thousands of visitors every year. But there is also a real highlight for fans of electronic music: the SonneMondSterne Festival (SMS), Saalburg - one of the largest electronic music festivals in Europe, which brings together top international DJs such as David Guetta, Paul Kalkbrenner and Charlotte de Witte every year at the Bleilochstausee reservoir.
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Young culture - scene, clubs and creative spaces
Thuringia offers not only classic high culture, but also a vibrant young scene. Whether alternative concerts, off-spaces for art or legendary clubs - new trends and creative spaces are emerging here.
Selected examples:
- Kalif Storch, Erfurt - one of the hippest clubs in Thuringia with electronic music, concerts and urban subculture
- FAT FAT FAT, Weimar - an alternative club with indie and electro sounds, run by cultural workers from Bauhaus University
- C.Keller & Galerie Markt 21, Weimar - bar, live music venue and exhibition space with a student atmosphere
- L50, Erfurt - an off-space for contemporary art, workshops and experimental cultural projects
- Offene Arbeit Erfurt - alternative youth and cultural scene with concerts, political education and DIY culture
- Kassablanca, Jena - remains a must as it is the centre of the alternative music and club scene in Thuringia
- Trafo Jena - new creative venue with art, music and a unique industrial hall atmosphere
- Kulturfabrik Apolda - a centre for art and culture with events ranging from poetry slams to electro parties
- Wallcome Festival, Schmalkalden - street art & music festival with urban flair
Whether classic high culture or alternative subculture - Thuringia inspires!
Thuringia is famous as the land of castles and palaces. Romanesque village churches and expansive cathedrals, bizarre knights' castles and princely palaces, neoclassical theatres and buildings characterise the landscape.
Thuringian castles - the romance of chivalry and fortification
Thuringia is a treasure trove of medieval castles and magnificent palaces. Along the Saale river, which once separated Franconia, Thuringia and Saxony from the Slavic Sorbs, defiant fortresses are strung together like a string of pearls. These impressive contemporary witnesses tell stories of knights, kings and master builders.
In addition to the world-famous Wartburg Castle, there are numerous knights' castles to explore:
- The "Drei Gleichen" - the spectacular trio of castles that, like the castles of the Auenland, watch over the Thuringian basin
- Creuzburg - with its well-preserved castle complex and one of the oldest stone bridges in Germany
- Runneburg - one of the mightiest castle complexes in central Germany, with impressive defences and knights' games
- Leuchtenburg - the "Queen of the Saale Valley" with breathtaking panoramic views and an interactive porcelain world
Whether it's a family outing or a history tour - Thuringia's castles are living experiences of times gone by.
Castles - splendour, art and history
Thuringia is also a land of magnificent residences. Especially in the former residential towns of Gotha, Altenburg and Rudolstadt, lovingly restored palaces tell of courtly elegance:
- Friedenstein Palace (Gotha) - one of the largest baroque palaces in Germany with valuable art collections
- Dornburg Palaces - a picturesque ensemble of Renaissance, Rococo and Old Palace with enchanting gardens overlooking the Saale valley
- Altenburg Residential Palace - famous as the cradle of the game of skat with impressive state rooms
- Heidecksburg Castle (Rudolstadt) - a jewel of late Baroque with the fascinating miniature state "Rococo en miniature"
Each of these castles invites you to immerse yourself in past centuries - be it through the breathtaking architecture, exhibitions or historical festivals.
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Thuringian delicacies and restaurants
If you visit Thuringia, you can't avoid two classics: the original Thuringian Rostbratwurst sausage and the famous Thuringian dumplings are culinary cultural assets - far beyond the state's borders. But Thuringian cuisine has much more to offer!
Whether hearty home cooking or fine specialities: Thuringia's delicacies reflect the region's traditional and down-to-earth food culture. How about a hearty beer or onion soup, an aromatic Mutzbraten, tender saddle of hare or a juicy Schwarzbierbrätl? There are also plenty of sweet treats: Schaala apple soup or the legendary schnapps cake provide delicious surprises.
Branded products from Thuringia
- Köstritzer black beer
- Heichelheim dumplings
- Mühlhäuser plum jam
- Nordhäuser Doppelkorn
- Viba nougat
- Greußen salami
- Born mustard
- Vita Cola
- Saale-Unstrut wines
- Fahner fruit
- Goldhelm chocolate
Festivals and celebrations
Whether traditional, culinary or musical - in Thuringia there are good reasons to celebrate all year round. From historical town festivals to wine enjoyment and legendary music events, there is something for everyone.
Selected highlights from the events calendar:
- Sommergewinn (Eisenach) - one of the largest spring festivals in Germany with a centuries-old tradition
- Krämerbrückenfest (Erfurt) - medieval flair, arts and crafts & live music around the famous bridge
- Saale Wine Mile (Roßbach) - savour fine wines along the idyllic Saale river
- Onion market (Weimar) - the "Thuringian Oktoberfest" with regional specialities & onion braids
- Rudolstadt Festival - Germany's largest festival for folk roots world music
- Genius Loci Weimar - unique festival for light art & façade projections
In Thuringia, tradition is lived and modern festival culture is celebrated - simply experience it for yourself!
