Nuki for renters
A Nuki goes on the inside of your existing door lock – no drilling, and from the outside the door looks the same as before. That makes it a smart lock renters can fit themselves. Here is what to check first. Details from nuki.io and Nuki, as of October 2026.
| Smart Lock Go | Smart Lock Pro | Smart Lock Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price on nuki.io | €149 | €279 | €369 |
| Drilling | No | No | No |
| Your cylinder | Stays – fits your existing key or knob cylinder | Stays – euro profile cylinder or selected Swiss round cylinders | Replaced by the included Nuki Universal Cylinder |
| Key from outside | Keeps working if the cylinder has an emergency function | Keeps working if the cylinder has an emergency function | Works with the Nuki Universal Cylinder |
| Remote access | Remote Access, €49 once | Built-in Wi-Fi | Built-in Wi-Fi |
| When you move out | Take it off and take it with you | Take it off and take it with you | Put the original cylinder back, take the Nuki |
Sources: product pages and prices on nuki.io (16 October 2026), Nuki press release “Smart Locks: the most common myths” (5 November 2025), Opener page on nuki.io (16 October 2026).
What renters should check
No drilling, nothing to see outside. Nuki mounts on the inside of the door; from the outside you can't even tell a smart lock is there. According to Nuki you need no drill, no special tools and no expertise – the app walks you through fitting it step by step.
Your cylinder decides whether the key still works. To unlock from outside with a key while the Nuki holds the key on the inside, the cylinder needs an emergency function (in German: Not- und Gefahrenfunktion). Many cylinders have one; if your papers don't say, ask your landlord. If it's missing, the Smart Lock Ultra with its own cylinder is the easiest way round it.
Swapping the cylinder? Ask first. With the Go and the Pro your cylinder stays as it is. With the Ultra you replace it with the Nuki Universal Cylinder – Nuki says the whole setup takes under 15 minutes. As the cylinder belongs to the flat, agree the swap with your landlord beforehand and keep the old cylinder and keys for when you move out. Whether you need permission depends on your lease.
The front door of the building. A smart lock only opens your flat's door. For the building's entrance there is the Nuki Opener: it connects to the intercom and opens the front door from the app or automatically when you ring on arriving home (Ring to Open). The Opener costs €129, or €169 in a set with the Bridge it needs. The compatibility check on nuki.io shows whether your intercom works with it.
For flatmates and guests. Anyone who doesn't want to use a phone can open with the Keypad (code or fingerprint), the Fob – or simply the key. And if only you need access, Nuki also works purely locally over Bluetooth, without an account.
How the three models differ otherwise is in our Go vs Pro vs Ultra comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fit a Nuki as a renter?
Nuki goes onto your existing lock on the inside without drilling; with the Go and the Pro your cylinder stays too. Still check what your lease says about changes to the door – and agree a cylinder swap for the Ultra with your landlord first.
Will my key still work?
Yes, if your cylinder has an emergency function: then the door can be locked and unlocked from outside even with a key inserted on the inside. With the Ultra, the included Nuki Universal Cylinder takes care of that.
What happens when I move out?
Take the Nuki off and bring it to your new home. If you swapped the cylinder for the Ultra, put the original cylinder back.
Do I need Wi-Fi or a Nuki account?
No. According to Nuki the locks can be used purely locally over Bluetooth if you like, and no account is required. You only need Wi-Fi to lock and unlock while you're away.
How do I open the building's front door?
With the Nuki Opener, which connects to the intercom. It costs €129, or €169 in a set with the Bridge it needs to connect.
Is there a discount?
Yes: with our Nuki discount code new customers get 10% off orders over €149 in the official Nuki shop.
Our pick for renters
For most rented flats the Smart Lock Pro is the easiest choice: your cylinder stays, Wi-Fi is built in, and you simply take it off when you move out. The Go is the cheaper start if you mostly open the door with your phone when you're standing at it. The Ultra makes sense if your cylinder has no emergency function or is due to be replaced anyway – with your landlord's OK.
10% off your Nuki order
New customers get 10% off with our Nuki discount code on orders over €149 in the official Nuki shop – the Pro and Ultra qualify on their own. The Smart Lock Go costs exactly €149, so add Remote Access or a Keypad to get above the limit.
Get the discount code →Referral link: you get the discount or bonus, the author a small reward. Your price doesn’t go up. How it works
More discount codes
Also worth a look: Aqara smart home – 10% off your first order in the EU store