In this section you’ll find useful general information on renting flats in Germany. More specifically, finding longer-term accommodation in Germany’s capital, Berlin. This includes a sample listing of estate agents who provide helpful services when seeking up-market condos in the city. Also, a checklist before signing a rental contract.

Germany is renowned for a high ratio of renting homes compared to owning them. 80 percent of Berlin’s citizens rent. The demand for residential homes and property far exceeds the supply. This background drastically impacts housing affordability.

Similar to many metropolitan areas across the world, affordable homes are a hot a topic in Berlin too. Even if Germany’s capital might not command rent levels as seen in New York, London, Tokyo or Sydney, the cost of renting remains high. Rents have roughly doubled over the last decade. Incomes have not kept up. The trend is largely driven by the desire to live in an attractive city.  A shortage of homes in Berlin contribute to spiralling rental costs. In addition Berlin now headquarters five of the forty companies listed in Germany’s stock index DAX (Zalando, HelloFresh, Deutsche Wohnen, Siemens Energy , Delivery Hero). That’s up from zero several years ago. Simply stated, demand greatly exceeds the supply.

Rent Control: Brake, Cap or Expropriate

To counter rising rental costs (not only in Berlin), Germany’s government introduced new legislation in the form of  a “rental price brake” (“Mietpreisbremse”) in 2015. This mandated that new tenants could not be charged more than 10 % above the average rental price for a lodging of comparable quality in the same quarter of a city. However this method of rental price control did not work effectively on the market. On the contrary, rental prices rose even more sharply in the ensuing years. Frustrated by ever-increasing rental prices, Berlin’s ruling party introduced further measures with a new regulation calling for a “rental lid” (“Mietpreisdeckel”) in 2020. The objective was to freeze, cap and even lower rental prices over a course of five years. This law was declared null and void in 2021 by Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court. The court decreed that Berlin’s House of Representatives had no right for such an extensive resolution. Unwinding the rental lid now allows afflicted landlords to claim back payments from their tenants for forfeited rent in 2020.

But the clash is not over. Later in 2021 a non-binding referendum took place amongst Berlin’s citizens shortly before city’s municipal elections: Berlin’s residents were asked whether the city should expropriate some of Germany’s largest residential property firms such as Vonovia and Deutsche Wohnen. These public companies hold thousands of homes in the capital city. The thinking was that such drastic measures would in all likelihood benefit lower-income sectors who depend on affordable accommodation to make ends meet. These “big landlords” hold vast numbers of commonplace apartments in less attractive areas of the city and often charge exorbitant rents. Many experts believe this new initiative may again miss the mark on making housing more affordable. Instead large investors are expected to shift their assets to other more profitable ventures if such a policy is ever implemented.

Against this backdrop, finding the right home on a rental basis in Berlin is a challenge. To better prepare you for this situation, we provide a checklist practical tips on renting in Germany, and then offer a list of seasoned estate agents in Berlin who will help you on your journey.

Moving to Berlin is an attractive proposition. The cost of living is comparably low and opportunities for work and play are plentiful. According Numbeo, Berlin ranks at place 115 of 556 worldwide cities in terms of living expenses.  Keep in mind, the city was once the most populous metropolis in the world.

Contemporary Berlin where multi-culture abounds

Visitors to Berlin immediately note an international flair that the capital exudes. Next to the foreign diplomatic corps, almost one-third of the city’s 3.7 million population have their roots outside of Germany. By current German standards, the politically correct term for any foreigner is “Einwohner mit Migrationshintergrund” which translates to citizens with a migration background. The largest ethnic group are of Turkish origin, accounting for approximately 6 % of Berlin’s population. The city is at the apex of German culture, politics, media, and science.

Advanced industries, an extensive public transport network, and the city’s green lung

Next to its vibrant startup scene, Berlin’s significant industries include IT, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering, clean tech, biotechnology, construction, and electronics.
Its public transportation network is extensive, encompassing a stretch of over 2600 km covered by underground trains, trams, buses, suburban lines that boast a high density of stops (over 7000) and make getting around the city easy. No wonder that more than half of Berlin’s residents don’t own a car.
The city takes pride in its renowned universities, orchestras, museums, entertainment, trade show, and sporting venues. Visitors will never encounter a dull day in the capital for lack of festivals, events, nightlife, or recreational destinations.
Over a third of Berlin’s area consists of forests, parks, gardens, rivers, canals, and lakes. Tiergarten – a popular, inner-city park – is bigger than Hyde Park in London. The western border of the city is lined with a number of large lakes interspersed with forests of pine, beech, and oak trees, as well as moors and dunes. If you happen to drive to Berlin by car, you’ll be in awe at the seemingly endless kilometres of green that fleet by before the capital finally emerges.

On a Growth Trajectory

Before the second world war Berlin headquartered many of Germany’s largest industries such as Daimler and Siemens. After the war, the city was divided and big industry moved out to economically more attractive locations in West Germany. Many abandoned factories and warehouses turned into clubs and studios that attracted artists and younger people with a penchant for partying. Berlin became renowned by its slogan “poor but sexy”. Reunification of West and East Germany in 1989 was a watershed moment for change. Decades later Germany’s capital city now attracts entrepreneurs and technology startups that are forging the new digital economy. Tech companies such as Amazon, eBay and Google have followed suit and already have substantial office space, employees and projects ongoing in the city. Tesla is building a Gigafactory south of Berlin to supply Europe with vehicles, batteries and power trains. Investments in new technology are ramping up full speed as Berlin spearheads the new economy in Germany.

Naturally Germany’s capital is lined with consulates that bring in a stream of diplomats from across the world.

Moving to Berlin is an attractive proposition. The cost of living is comparably low and opportunities for work and play are plentiful. According Numbeo, Berlin ranks at place 115 of 556 worldwide cities in terms of living expenses.  Keep in mind, the city was once the most populous metropolis in the world.

Contemporary Berlin where multi-culture abounds

Visitors to Berlin immediately note an international flair that the capital exudes. Next to the foreign diplomatic corps, almost one-third of the city’s 3.7 million population have their roots outside of Germany. By current German standards, the politically correct term for any foreigner is “Einwohner mit Migrationshintergrund” which translates to citizens with a migration background. The largest ethnic group are of Turkish origin, accounting for approximately 6 % of Berlin’s population. The city is at the apex of German culture, politics, media, and science.

Advanced industries, an extensive public transport network, and the city’s green lung

Next to its vibrant startup scene, Berlin’s significant industries include IT, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering, clean tech, biotechnology, construction, and electronics.
Its public transportation network is extensive, encompassing a stretch of over 2600 km covered by underground trains, trams, buses, suburban lines that boast a high density of stops (over 7000) and make getting around the city easy. No wonder that more than half of Berlin’s residents don’t own a car.
The city takes pride in its renowned universities, orchestras, museums, entertainment, trade show, and sporting venues. Visitors will never encounter a dull day in the capital for lack of festivals, events, nightlife, or recreational destinations.
Over a third of Berlin’s area consists of forests, parks, gardens, rivers, canals, and lakes. Tiergarten – a popular, inner-city park – is bigger than Hyde Park in London. The western border of the city is lined with a number of large lakes interspersed with forests of pine, beech, and oak trees, as well as moors and dunes. If you happen to drive to Berlin by car, you’ll be in awe at the seemingly endless kilometres of green that fleet by before the capital finally emerges.

On a Growth Trajectory

Before the second world war Berlin headquartered many of Germany’s largest industries such as Daimler and Siemens. After the war, the city was divided and big industry moved out to economically more attractive locations in West Germany. Many abandoned factories and warehouses turned into clubs and studios that attracted artists and younger people with a penchant for partying. Berlin became renowned by its slogan “poor but sexy”. Reunification of West and East Germany in 1989 was a watershed moment for change. Decades later Germany’s capital city now attracts entrepreneurs and technology startups that are forging the new digital economy. Tech companies such as Amazon, eBay and Google have followed suit and already have substantial office space, employees and projects ongoing in the city. Tesla is building a Gigafactory south of Berlin to supply Europe with vehicles, batteries and power trains. Investments in new technology are ramping up full speed as Berlin spearheads the new economy in Germany.

Naturally Germany’s capital is lined with consulates that bring in a stream of diplomats from across the world.