SummaryRecently, a change of hepatitis E from being a typical travel‐associated disease to an autochthonous zoonosis in Germany was observed. An increasing number of autochthonous infections with the hepatitis E Virus (HEV) have been recognized in developed countries. Venison from wild boar is already known to be a potential source of infection, if not prepared properly by the consumer. In Germany, certain wild animals are known to be a reservoir forHEV. However, current information is missing about European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Thus, a total of 833 hunting‐harvested animals (European brown haresn = 669; wild rabbitsn = 164) were tested for the occurrence ofHEV RNAandHEVantibodies. For this, liver and blood specimens were taken after hunts in six German federal states.HEVantibodies were found byELISAin 2.2% (624/14) of European brown hares, but noHEV RNAwas detectable by nested real‐timeRT‐PCR. In contrast, a seroprevalence of 37.3% (126/47) was observed for wild rabbits, and 17.1% (164/28) of the samples wereHEV RNApositive. Genomic analysis revealed that these partial sequences clustered within the rabbit clade ofHEV‐3 genotype. In addition, one rabbit sequence segregated into subtype 3g ofHEV‐3. Highest seroprevalences for hares and rabbits were detected in the federal states of Bavaria and of Schleswig‐Holstein, respectively. Comparing urban, rural and insular areas, the highest seroprevalence was shown for wild rabbits in rural areas and for European brown hares on the northern island Fehmarn. This study provides evidence that European brown hares and wild rabbits from Germany can be infected withHEV. The different prevalences indicate that wild rabbits are a potential reservoir forHEVin Germany, whereas European brown hares seem to be only of minor importance for the epidemiology ofHEV.