"Emden" was laid down at the "Reichsmarinewerft" shipyard in Wilhelmshaven on 8 December 1921. Political instability and Germany's financial weakness in the early 1920s delayed construction of the ship, and she was launched on 7 January 1925. Admiral Hans Zenker gave a speech at her launching, and the ship was christened by the widow of Karl von Müller, who had commanded the original during World War I. The new cruiser was commissioned into the fleet nine months later, on 15 October 1925. Intended for use as a training ship for naval cadets, "Emden" was assigned to the "Marinestation der Nordsee" (North Sea Naval Station); she began sea trials after entering service, and these were interrupted with alterations in the "Reichsmarinewerft" that included a reconstruction of the battle mast. After these were completed in 1926, she conducted individual training and made numerous visits to foreign ports in northern European waters. In August and September 1926, she took part in annual fleet maneuvers, and in October she returned to the shipyard again to have her aft funnel increased in height to match the forward one. "Emden" was at that time allocated to the Training Inspectorate of the Navy.