Germany: housing

How much is rent in Germany?

Tenant households in Germany paid an average net cold rent of €7.40 per square metre in 2022, or €8.60 including service charges but excluding heating, according to the Destatis table on rents and rent burden, based on the microcensus. On average, gross cold rent took 27.9% of household net income, rising to 44.6% for households with less than €1,500 a month.

These averages include long-standing tenancies, so they are well below asking rents for new lets in cities. For current change, Destatis's consumer price index shows net rents 1.9% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier. The 2022 results are not comparable with earlier years.

Official sources: Destatis: rents, rent burden and household income · Destatis: inflation in September 2026

What share of Germans own their home?

41.9% of households in Germany lived in a home they owned in 2022, according to the Destatis table of home ownership rates, based on the microcensus. That means a majority of households, about 58%, rent.

The rate is measured per household, not per person, and counts only households living alone in a dwelling. The same table breaks the rate down by state. The microcensus asks about housing only every four years, so 2022 is the latest year shown.

Official sources: Destatis: home ownership rate

How many homes are built in Germany each year?

206,586 dwellings were completed in Germany in 2025, down from 251,937 in 2024 and 294,399 in 2023, according to the Destatis table of building completions. The figure includes new flats and houses and dwellings created by converting existing buildings; 78,182 new buildings were completed in 2025.

Completions follow permits with a delay, so they reflect projects approved in earlier years. Destatis collects the data from building authorities.

Official sources: Destatis: building completions

How many building permits are issued in Germany?

Permits were issued for 22,500 dwellings in Germany in July 2026, 1.9% more than in July 2025, according to Destatis press release No. 330 of 18 September 2026. From January to July 2026, permits for dwellings in new residential buildings were 13.5% higher than a year earlier, with single-family homes up 9.7%, two-family homes up 25.0% and flats in apartment buildings up 15.1%.

A permit is not a start: some approved projects are delayed or never built. Destatis notes that permits are often reported late, so monthly figures are revised. Permits are published about seven weeks after the month ends.

Official sources: Destatis: building permits in July 2026

How many people are homeless in Germany?

About 452,900 people were housed in accommodation because they were homeless in Germany on 31 January 2026, 5% or 21,800 fewer than a year earlier, according to Destatis statistics on homeless people in accommodation. 57.3% were male and 41.0% were under 25.

The statistic counts only people placed in emergency or temporary housing by municipalities or charities, including refugees with recognised status who have no flat. It does not count people sleeping rough or staying with friends; those groups are covered in the federal housing ministry's separate homelessness report, published every two years. The count is taken each year on 31 January.

Official sources: Destatis: homeless people in accommodation

What is Germany's urbanisation rate?

82.1%: that is the share of people living in urban areas in Germany for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 14th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 69.6%. World rank, highest first: 37th of 193.

How many people in Germany live in slums?

The latest figure from UN-Habitat, for 2022, is 0.0%. The figure has been the same every year since 2006. Europe & Central Asia median: 0.3%; Germany is 33rd highest of 43. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 155th highest.

What is the electricity access rate in Germany?

In 2024, the share of people with access to electricity in Germany was 100.0%, according to the World Bank. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 100.0%, and Germany placed 1st highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.

What is access to safe water in Germany?

In 2024, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Germany was 99.9%, according to WHO and UNICEF. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 96.7%, and Germany placed 8th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 11th of 134.

What share of people in Germany have safe sanitation?

In 2024, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Germany was 96.8%, according to WHO and UNICEF. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 90.2%; Germany is 9th highest of 45. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 18th highest.

How many people in Germany cook with wood or charcoal?

In 2024, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Germany was 100.0%, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 99.0%. World rank, highest first: 1st of 192.