https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Securing an apartment in Berlin is a notoriously difficult task. Here's a tool that can help you check if your flat search is realistic, or if you might want to consider lowering your expectations. https://www.thelocal.de/20260219/is-your-flat-search-in-berlin-realistic Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:05:40 +0100 is-your-flat-search-in-berlin-realistic With rents surging in many major cities across Germany, many long-term renters are now on the lookout for a more secure alternative. Housing co-ops may just provide the answer. https://www.thelocal.de/20210201/german-housing-co-ops-what-are-they-and-how-do-i-sign-up Mon, 01 Feb 2021 17:51:47 +0100 german-housing-co-ops-what-are-they-and-how-do-i-sign-up Finding a long-term apartment to rent in Berlin has become an infamously painful process. We spoke to two professionals about the best tips for securing a long-term rental contract in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20250403/always-be-vigilant-expert-tips-for-finding-an-apartment-in-berlin Thu, 03 Apr 2025 19:59:22 +0200 always-be-vigilant-expert-tips-for-finding-an-apartment-in-berlin Rental costs across Germany continue to rise at alarming rates. Since rent control laws are only enforced when tenants invoke them, Paul Krantz argues that doing so should be seen as a civic duty to help keep rents down. https://www.thelocal.de/20250110/opinion-why-challenging-your-high-rent-in-germany-is-a-civic-duty-to-other-tenants Fri, 10 Jan 2025 13:58:45 +0100 opinion-why-challenging-your-high-rent-in-germany-is-a-civic-duty-to-other-tenants Especially in Germany's tight rental markets, apartment hunters need to be cautious every step of the way. From bribes disguised as brokerage fees to fraudulent tenants' associations, here are four scams to be aware of. https://www.thelocal.de/20250528/four-scams-to-be-aware-of-while-navigating-germanys-rental-market Wed, 28 May 2025 18:28:50 +0200 four-scams-to-be-aware-of-while-navigating-germanys-rental-market Depopulated towns in Germany's ex-communist east have come up with a novel scheme to bring back life: offering people several weeks of super-cheap housing to give would-be residents a taste of the place. https://www.thelocal.de/20250919/trial-living-how-east-germanys-empty-towns-trying-to-lure-people Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:05:13 +0200 trial-living-how-east-germanys-empty-towns-trying-to-lure-people It can be hard finding affordable accommodation in Germany, especially if you're on a low income. Having a 'Wohnberechtigungsschein', or social housing eligibility certificate, can help. We break down what it is and how to get one. https://www.thelocal.de/20250829/how-to-get-germanys-wbs-certificate-for-affordable-housing Fri, 29 Aug 2025 11:14:30 +0200 how-to-get-germanys-wbs-certificate-for-affordable-housing Rent is often the biggest expense for foreign residents in Germany. Even though there are rent controls in some cities, tenants can still be charged too much. Readers shared how they managed to get a rent reduction. https://www.thelocal.de/20240502/how-foreign-residents-in-germany-are-winning-rent-reductions Thu, 02 May 2024 16:57:34 +0200 how-foreign-residents-in-germany-are-winning-rent-reductions Determined to attract urgently needed professionals, one small city near Germany's easter border tried tempting new residents with an offer of free accommodation. City officials report initial success. https://www.thelocal.de/20250822/east-german-town-surprised-by-success-of-apartment-giveaway Fri, 22 Aug 2025 13:46:15 +0200 east-german-town-surprised-by-success-of-apartment-giveaway Affordable housing is in short supply in Germany. The Local looks at how the government is planning to tackle this issue, and the effect it may have on renters. https://www.thelocal.de/20250625/bau-turbo-how-germany-wants-to-solve-the-housing-crisis Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:50:37 +0200 bau-turbo-how-germany-wants-to-solve-the-housing-crisis Germany's urban housing markets have seen rents rise continuously over the past decade despite a major rent control. Where have rents gone up the most and why are price controls failing? https://www.thelocal.de/20250619/rents-soar-in-germanys-big-cities-despite-the-rent-brake Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:38:13 +0200 rents-soar-in-germanys-big-cities-despite-the-rent-brake One German town is offering two weeks’ free accommodation in a bid to fight depopulation. https://www.thelocal.de/20250603/german-town-offers-free-accommodation-in-bid-to-attract-residents Tue, 03 Jun 2025 14:01:58 +0200 german-town-offers-free-accommodation-in-bid-to-attract-residents Overpriced short-term rentals are increasingly common on the German housing market. In response city council members in Berlin’s Neukölln neighbourhood have announced plans to ban them. https://www.thelocal.de/20250507/why-berlins-neukolln-district-plans-to-crack-down-on-temporary-flat-rentals Wed, 07 May 2025 18:40:46 +0200 why-berlins-neukolln-district-plans-to-crack-down-on-temporary-flat-rentals When Germany's last government collapsed before securing the extension of the rent brake there were concerns that it could expire this year. But initial coalition talks suggest the next government plans to extend current rent controls. https://www.thelocal.de/20250326/germanys-likely-new-government-to-extend-debt-brake-for-two-years Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:37:44 +0100 germanys-likely-new-government-to-extend-debt-brake-for-two-years From property tax reform to extended rent controls to an increased CO2 tax, this year is set to bring plenty of changes for renters and property owners in Germany. Here are the key ones to keep in mind. https://www.thelocal.de/20250103/what-changes-for-renters-and-homeowners-in-germany-in-2025 Fri, 03 Jan 2025 14:04:29 +0100 what-changes-for-renters-and-homeowners-in-germany-in-2025 Ahead of this year's housing summit in Berlin - and early elections next year - the German tenants' association is urging the government to pass a number of promised reforms designed to make life easier for renters. https://www.thelocal.de/20241205/german-government-under-pressure-to-ease-housing-crisis-ahead-of-elections Thu, 05 Dec 2024 12:06:25 +0100 german-government-under-pressure-to-ease-housing-crisis-ahead-of-elections A new forecast from Munich's Ifo institute suggests that Germany is on course to build just 175,000 new homes in 2026. https://www.thelocal.de/20240729/germany-set-to-deliver-less-than-half-of-promised-new-homes-in-2026 Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:49:12 +0200 germany-set-to-deliver-less-than-half-of-promised-new-homes-in-2026 Rents in Germany’s capital city have more than doubled in the last decade, according to a recent report from Investment Bank Berlin. What keeps pushing up prices, and is the trend set to continue? https://www.thelocal.de/20240328/is-there-any-hope-for-berlins-strained-rental-market Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:20:24 +0100 is-there-any-hope-for-berlins-strained-rental-market Unused office space has been transformed into new apartments in some German cities. Ramping up office-to-housing conversions won’t end the housing shortage, but it could be a promising step in the right direction. https://www.thelocal.de/20240327/boardrooms-to-bedrooms-can-converting-offices-create-housing-in-germany Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:08:45 +0100 boardrooms-to-bedrooms-can-converting-offices-create-housing-in-germany The CDU-led government in Berlin is putting the controversial issue of building flats on Tempelhof airfield back on the agenda. Could it lead to another referendum? https://www.thelocal.de/20231128/is-berlin-planning-to-build-flats-on-the-famous-tempelhofer-feld Tue, 28 Nov 2023 17:55:07 +0100 is-berlin-planning-to-build-flats-on-the-famous-tempelhofer-feld