• Rents in Germany's 40 largest cities have increased by 51% over the past decade, with Berlin experiencing a 76.9% rise to €15.80 per square metre at the start of 2026.
• Hamburg saw a 54.2% increase in rents to €16.18 per square metre, while Munich experienced a 51.6% rise to €23.26, according to a survey by the German Trade Union Confederation.
• DGB deputy chairman Stefan Korzell has called for stronger political measures, including more investment in social and public housing, ahead of nationwide rent-freeze action days, criticizing the government for wanting to cut housing benefit.

Rents in Germany's 40 largest cities have risen by 51% over the past 10 years, according to a survey by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB).

The survey, based on data from market research institute Empirica and seen by dpa, found that in Berlin, the largest city examined, median asking rents rose from €8.93 ($10.22) per square metre at the start of 2016 to €15.80 at the start of 2026, an increase of 76.9%.

In Hamburg, Germany's second-largest city, rents rose by 54.2% to €16.18 per square metre, while in Munich, they increased by 51.6% to €23.26.

Some of the steepest percentage increases were recorded in northern Germany, including in Rostock, where rents climbed by 83% to a median of €11 per square metre, and Lübeck, where they rose by 71.3% to €12.52.

Ahead of nationwide rent-freeze action days from Friday to Sunday, DGB deputy chairman Stefan Körzell called for stronger political measures. He said more investment was needed in social and public housing, as well as tougher rules against excessive rents.

Körzell specifically accused Germany's conservative-led coalition government of wanting to cut housing benefit.

"Once again, it is taking the axe to the weakest instead of finally making those with large fortunes and inheritances shoulder more responsibility," he told dpa.