Berlin, July 3rd, 2026 (The Berlin Spectator) – Rents in Germany’s 40 largest cities have climbed by 51 percent over the past decade, according to a new analysis by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), based on data from market research firm Empirica. German-language media covered the story this morning.
Berlin, the largest city included in the study, saw the steepest absolute rise: average asking rents jumped from 8.93 Euro per square meter in early 2016 to 15.80 Euro in early 2026, a 76.9 percent increase.
Hamburg, the country’s second-largest city, recorded a 54.2 percent rise to 16.18 Euro per square meter, while Munich rents grew by 51.6 percent to 23.26 Euro. Some smaller cities saw even sharper percentage increases, with Rostock rents up 83 percent to an average of 11 Euro, and Lübeck up 71.3 percent to 12.52 Euro.
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The figures were released to coincide with nationwide “rent freeze” action days running from Friday through Sunday. DGB Deputy Chairman Stefan Körzell used the occasion to call for more decisive political action, pointing to the need for greater investment in social and public housing construction, along with tougher rules against rent gouging.
Körzell specifically criticized Germany’s governing coalition of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) over reported plans to cut housing benefits. He stated, the government was once again targeting the most vulnerable, rather than finally holding accountable those with substantial wealth and inheritances.
