“Why don’t Germans rush to buy homes?” 🏠🇩🇪 For them, renting isn’t failure but freedom — safer, cheaper, and easier. But here’s the twist: even those who want to buy face one shocking demand from the banks… Full story in the comments below 👇
In many post-Soviet countries, owning your own apartment or house is seen as a major life goal. If someone rents for 10 or even 20 years, others might look at them with surprise, asking: “How can you live in rentals your whole life? What about leaving something for your children?”
But in Germany, the situation is very different. For most people, homeownership has never been the ultimate goal — and here’s why.
Renting is Safe and Stable
Unlike in many countries, tenants in Germany are fully protected by law. You can rent a flat for 10 or even 20 years without fear of being suddenly evicted. Rent cannot be raised arbitrarily; landlords must follow strict legal reasons for any increase.
Landlords are also not allowed to enter the property without prior notice. Using a spare key to walk in is considered unacceptable — and if it happens, the tenant can go to court and win compensation.
Renting is Often Cheaper Than Buying
Buying an apartment in Germany usually only becomes financially worthwhile after about 30 years. For a society where people change jobs and cities quite frequently, this makes little sense. Germans are comfortable moving whenever better opportunities arise, and renting makes this flexibility much easier.
On top of that, mortgages are hard to get. Banks often require buyers to have at least 50% of the property’s value saved upfront. For most people, that’s a huge barrier — while renting is far simpler and more affordable.
Lifestyle Choices Play a Role
Many young Germans don’t rush into careers right after school. They often take time to travel or study at universities, which are tuition-free. Most people only start working full-time around the age of 30, making it even less realistic to buy property early in life.
In big cities, buying is even more complicated. Many historic buildings cannot be split into individual apartments due to strict preservation laws. Unless someone can afford to purchase an entire building, ownership simply isn’t an option.
The Bottom Line
For German families, renting is not a sign of financial weakness — it’s a conscious choice. Many who could afford to buy prefer not to, because renting is easier, more flexible, and often more economical.
👉 What do you think: is it better to own a home no matter what, or does the German approach to long-term renting make more sense?
