Germany Becomes Europe’s No. 1 Nation of Renters!

According to a new report by the German Tenants’ Association (DMB), the number of people living in rental housing across Germany has increased by 3 million over the past five years, reaching 44 million residents. This means 52.8% of the country’s population now lives in rented homes — the highest share in Europe.

The report revealed some striking figures:

📌 6 million tenants are under severe financial pressure due to rising housing costs.

📌 2.8 million tenants fear they won’t be able to afford their rent in the future.

📌 7 million tenants are worried about losing their homes.

DMB President Melanie Weber-Moritz warned:

“Housing is becoming a growing poverty risk for many people. The housing crisis no longer affects only the poorest—it now impacts the broad middle of society.”

According to Weber-Moritz, families with children are the most affected by rising rents, struggling increasingly to find affordable apartments.

The study also highlighted significant regional differences:

📌 In Berlin, the share of tenants has reached 84%.

📌 In some rural areas, the rate remains around 40%.

The German Tenants’ Association continues to urge the government to introduce an emergency housing relief package, calling for measures such as:

📌 Stricter rent controls,

📌 Penalties for rental speculation,

📌 Limits on rent increases for existing leases,

📌 A temporary rent freeze,

📌 Abolishment of index-linked rents,

📌 Doubling the stock of social housing by 2030.

The DMB also emphasized the need to build 60,000 new affordable rental homes per year.

Weber-Moritz concluded:

“Housing is not just a roof over one’s head—it is the foundation of participation, security, and dignity. When millions of people can no longer find affordable homes and live in fear of losing them, it’s clear that housing has become the social crisis of our time.”

Now, all eyes are on whether the coalition government led by Friedrich Merz will respond to these demands — and if so, with what kind of solution package.

Source: Hürriyet Avrupa

Photo: DPA