Despite rent caps, advertised rents in 14 German cities have risen an average of 43 percent over the past ten years. Berlin saw the highest increase at 69 percent. This comes from the federal government's response to a query by Left Party MP Caren Lay.
The federal government responded to a query from Left Party MP Caren Lay with data on advertised rents in major cities. Based on online listings excluding utilities, cold rents in these cities rose an average of 43 percent from 2016 to 2025. In Berlin, they climbed from 9.02 euros to 15.25 euros per square meter.
Berlin topped the list with a 69 percent increase, followed by Leipzig at 67 percent. Bremen and Duisburg each saw 46 percent rises, Essen and Düsseldorf 43 percent, and Hamburg 42 percent. Munich's 37 percent gain was below average but reached the highest absolute level at 21.29 euros per square meter.
Frankfurt am Main increased 39 percent to 16.58 euros, and Stuttgart 37 percent to 16.06 euros. The Ministry of Building notes that online offers are not representative; rentals via waiting lists or direct channels may be cheaper.
Caren Lay describes a "rent price explosion" and political failure. The rent cap, in place since June 1, 2015, in tense markets, limits rents to at most ten percent above local comparable rents but, in her view, fails to curb the surge.
