Mieten: Studieren wird teurer – und die Wohnungsnot bleibt

Mieten will soon become more expensive for students, exacerbating the housing crisis in Germany, according to a new report by Finanzdienstleister MLP and the Institute of the German Economy (IW). The average qualitative rents for student housing have risen by 2.6% compared to the previous year in the first half of 2026, with an annual increase of 4.0%.

Smaller apartments experienced the steepest price hikes, with those under 40 square meters increasing by 3.5% and shared apartments by 2.3%. Munich remains the most expensive city for student rentals, with a 30 square meter apartment costing around 880 euros per month. The gap in rental costs between cities is significant, ranging from 280 euros in Chemnitz to 720 euros in cities like Berlin and Hamburg.

The highest rental increases in the past three years were seen in Hamburg and Saarbrücken (5.8%) and Bochum (5.5%). The student housing rent supplement of 380 euros may only cover the costs in Chemnitz. This supplement is set to increase to 440 euros in 2027. The report predicts a resurgence in pressure on the housing market as the number of students increases, with the current trend expected to continue until 2040.

This could force students to prioritize affordable housing over academic opportunities, posing a challenge for Germany's education and economy. While construction activity remains high in popular university locations, it has slowed down in many areas, contributing to the housing shortage.