Hausser was born on 7 October 1880 in Brandenburg an der Havel into a Prussian military family and entered the army in 1892.
Hausser retired from the Reichswehr in 1932 with the rank of Generalleutnant, having filled various appointments including chief of staff of Wehrkreis II (Military District 2) in Stettin, commander of the 10th Infantry Regiment, and deputy commander of the 4th Infantry Division.