Berlin Rents Continue to Rise - New Buildings Particularly Expensive - Berlin's rental crisis deepens as advertised rents soar past €16 per square meter
Berlin's rental market continues to face severe pressure as housing shortages push prices upward. Data shows that advertised rents on major online platforms have climbed sharply, with average costs now exceeding €16 per square meter. The root of the issue remains a chronic lack of available homes, leaving tenants with few options.
Over the past five years, rents in the city have surged by 34.5%. In early 2021, the average price stood at €9.70 per square meter, but by early 2026, it had risen to €13.05. The latest figures also reveal a 2.7% year-on-year increase, though specific factors behind this growth remain unclear.
Existing tenancies with BBU-affiliated landlords averaged €7.10 per square meter last year. New contracts under the same providers reached €9.54. However, rents advertised on major portals were far higher, hitting €16.61 on average—and €18.76 when excluding BBU members' listings.
The city's vacancy rate sits at just 1.6%, one of the lowest in Germany. BBU member companies, managing around 777,000 apartments, control roughly 45% of Berlin's rental stock. Despite this, newly built apartments commanded the highest prices, averaging €13.55 per square meter.
The ongoing shortage of housing keeps Berlin's rental market under strain. With advertised rents significantly above existing contract prices, tenants face limited choices and rising costs. The data highlights a persistent gap between supply and demand, with no immediate signs of relief.
