More and more companies in Germany face the challenge of providing adequate accommodation for their employees during project assignments, training periods or location changes. The traditional solution – a hotel room – is often expensive, impersonal and unsuitable for extended stays. The alternative: a company apartment. According to the German Travel Management Association (VDR), accommodation costs for business travel have been rising continuously for years. At the same time, the market for furnished company apartments is growing as businesses seek cost-efficient and employee-friendly solutions.
In this guide, you will learn what a company apartment is, what benefits it offers, how it compares to hotels in terms of cost and what to look for when renting one.
What Is a Company Apartment?
A company apartment (Firmenwohnung) is a fully furnished apartment that a company rents for its employees – typically for work-related stays ranging from a few weeks to several months. Unlike a standard rental apartment, a company apartment is ready to move in immediately: furniture, kitchen, bed linen, WiFi and all utilities are included.
How it differs from other accommodation types:
- Hotel: Daily housekeeping and reception, but no kitchen, limited space (20–25 m²) and high costs for longer stays.
- Worker accommodation (Monteurwohnung): Basic accommodation, often with shared kitchen and bathroom, primarily for tradespeople and construction workers. Learn more in our worker accommodation guide.
- Vacation rental: Aimed at tourists, seasonal pricing, often not approved for commercial use.
- Serviced Apartment / Corporate Housing: Premium furnished apartment with professional management and corporate rates – the high-end version of a company apartment.
The key difference: A company apartment combines the flexibility of a hotel with the comfort and privacy of your own home – at significantly lower costs per night.
Benefits of Company Apartments for Businesses
1. Cost Advantage Over Hotels
For stays of 5 nights or more, a company apartment is typically cheaper than a comparable hotel room. The reason: employees can cater for themselves in their own kitchen, reducing daily food expenses by 50–70%. Additionally, long-term discounts are available that hotels rarely offer.
2. Higher Employee Satisfaction
A private apartment with kitchen, living area and separate bedroom offers significantly better quality of life than a hotel room. According to a study by the VDR, business travelers rate accommodation quality as one of the most important factors for satisfaction during business trips. Satisfied employees are more productive and stay with the company longer.
3. Flexibility in Rental Duration
Company apartments can be booked from one night up to several months – without the rigid minimum lease terms of standard rental apartments (often 12 months) and without the high nightly rates of hotels for long-term stays.
4. Tax Advantages
The costs for a company apartment are fully deductible as a business expense. If the employee maintains a double household, the costs can also be claimed for tax purposes. Companies should discuss the exact regulations with their tax advisor, as deductibility depends on the specific usage situation.
5. Simplified Invoicing
Professional providers issue monthly consolidated invoices – a clear advantage over collecting individual hotel receipts. At TravelSuites, corporate clients also receive special rates and a dedicated contact person.
Company Apartment vs. Hotel: Cost Comparison
Let us walk through a concrete calculation for a 30-night stay – a typical project duration in many industries.
Scenario: One employee, 30 nights
| Cost Item | Hotel (Business) | Company Apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 110 EUR × 30 = 3,300 EUR | 89 EUR × 30 = 2,670 EUR |
| Breakfast | 15 EUR × 30 = 450 EUR | Self-catering: 5 EUR × 30 = 150 EUR |
| Dinner | 25 EUR × 30 = 750 EUR | Self-cooking: 8 EUR × 30 = 240 EUR |
| Laundry service | 60 EUR | Washing machine in apartment: 0 EUR |
| Total costs | 4,560 EUR | 3,060 EUR |
| Savings | – | 1,500 EUR (33%) |
For a team of 4 employees, the company saves 6,000 EUR in a single month. Extrapolated over a quarterly project, that amounts to 18,000 EUR – a substantial budget that can be invested elsewhere.
For an even more detailed comparison, see our article Corporate Housing vs. Hotel.
Who Are Company Apartments Suitable For?
Company apartments are the ideal solution for various professional situations:
Project Teams: Engineers, IT specialists or consultants working at a project location for several weeks or months. Two-bedroom apartments allow sharing, further reducing costs.
Interim Managers: Temporary executives need a representative and comfortable accommodation that offers more privacy and living quality than a hotel room.
Commuters and Weekly Commuters: Employees who work at a different location during the week benefit from a company apartment as a second home – with kitchen and washing machine instead of a hotel room.
Contractors and Technicians: For skilled workers in trades and industry, company apartments offer significantly more comfort than traditional worker accommodation – at comparable costs.
New Employees During Onboarding: Those relocating to a new city who have not yet found permanent housing can comfortably bridge the search period in a company apartment instead of a hotel.
What to Look for When Renting a Company Apartment
### Equipment Checklist
A good company apartment should include the following basic amenities:
- Fully equipped kitchen (stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, dishes, pots)
- High-speed WiFi (min. 50 Mbit/s, preferably 100+)
- Washing machine in the apartment or building
- Workspace with desk and ergonomic chair
- Bed linen and towels included
- Smart lock or key safe for flexible self-check-in
- Parking or good public transport connections
### Location
The ideal company apartment is close to the workplace – or at least well connected. Look for:
- Distance to the workplace (ideally under 20 minutes)
- Public transport connections and parking options
- Supermarkets and restaurants within walking distance
- Quiet residential area for restful sleep
### Rental Duration and Terms
- Short-term (1–30 nights): Daily rates, flexible booking and cancellation
- Medium-term (1–6 months): Monthly rates with significant discounts versus daily rates
- Long-term (6+ months): Individual terms and framework agreements
### Contractual Details
- Are all utilities (electricity, water, heating, internet) included in the price?
- Is there a final cleaning fee?
- What are the cancellation terms?
- Is a deposit required? If so, how much?
- Is there an option to extend?
Company Apartments in Heilbronn
Heilbronn has developed into one of the most dynamic business locations in Baden-Wuerttemberg in recent years. This is noticeably driving demand for company apartments:
Schwarz Group / Lidl / Kaufland: The Schwarz Group, headquartered in Neckarsulm, is Germany's largest retail corporation and one of the region's biggest employers. Thousands of consultants, IT specialists and project staff regularly need accommodation in the Heilbronn area.
Audi in Neckarsulm: The Audi Neckarsulm plant with over 16,000 employees regularly attracts suppliers, engineers and project teams to the region.
IPAI – Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence: The new AI center in Heilbronn is being built on a 23-hectare campus and will attract thousands of professionals and researchers in the coming years – an additional driver for the company apartment market.
TravelSuites offers fully furnished company apartments in Heilbronn from 89 EUR per night – with self-check-in, fully equipped kitchen and special rates for businesses. Ideal for teams working at Schwarz Group, Audi or IPAI.
FAQ
How much does a company apartment cost per month?
Can you deduct a company apartment from taxes?
How does a company apartment differ from a hotel?
For what length of stay is a company apartment worthwhile?
Are there company apartments in Heilbronn for teams?
Sources
- IHK Heilbronn-Franken – Business Location Heilbronn
- Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) – Business Travel and Overnight Statistics
- VDR – German Travel Management Association, Business Travel Analysis
