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- 3-2-1- It’s time for Munich renters to say NO to sky‐high rents
3-2-1- It’s time for Munich renters to say NO to sky‐high rents
Join thousands rallying to stop corporations from making everyday living unaffordable
Sana Ahmad
February 05, 2026
Servus an Alle!
Welcome back to the Munich Post! The purpose of this newsletter is to share: 3 bits of news, 2 upcoming events, and 1 amazing restaurant/café for expats living in and around Munich. This way, you have a pulse on what’s going on without scrolling through thousands of pages.
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Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:
It’s never too early to think about Oktoberfest.
Table reservations for the first big beer tents have just opened. Booking is free, but reservations come with food and beer vouchers and for bigger groups, locking in a table early can save a lot of stress later. If you want to avoid the September scramble (and the heartbreak), here’s what you need to know right now – including costs, local perks, and which tents you can already book.
3 bits of news
Rent protest hits Odeonsplatz this Saturday
On Saturday, February 7, thousands of tenants are expected to take to the streets as Munich joins a nationwide rent demonstration. The rally starts at 2pm at Odeonsplatz, followed by a march through the city.
The message is clear: rents are eating up wages, pensions, and entire lives. While investment funds, real estate corporations, and short-term rentals cash in, affordable housing keeps disappearing. Apartments are renovated, sold off, or left empty. Neighborhoods lose pubs, workshops, culture and instead, gain glass facades and luxury cafés few can afford.
Organizers say politics has failed to act. Social housing is shrinking. Public land is being sold. And speculation keeps winning.
The demands are simple: cap rents, stop vacancies, end speculation, protect social housing, and halt the sell-off of public land. Housing is a basic right, not a financial product.
Speakers include representatives from tenant initiatives, the German Tenants’ Association, cultural figures and local politicians. Music acts will accompany the march, with a final rally back at Odeonsplatz around 4:30pm.
So if you’re one of the many being affected by sky high rents, join the estimated crowd of 10,000 Munich residents and speak up.
Find more information here (in German) or visit their instagram page.
MVHS drops its spring & summer program – all 9,000 courses
Looking for a new skill, a career boost, or just try a new hobby? The Munich Adult Education Center (MVHS) has opened bookings for its spring and summer 2026 program, featuring around 9,000 courses and events across the city.
The range is broad and exciting. From classic language and fitness courses to burlesque, fascia training, furniture restoration, Ayurvedic nutrition, financial accounting, career coaching, and even butchering a pig. There’s something for everyone – beginners, upskillers, and lifelong learners.
This year’s program puts a spotlight on social policy, with events tackling topics like migration, work, social security, and inclusion. MVHS is also expanding its footprint. A new location opens in Freiham on Mahatma Gandhi Square, while the historic St. Martin Hospital in Giesing reopens after renovation, with guided tours and cultural events starting in June.
One standout initiative continues: mona lea — year-long training program supporting migrant women into jobs in administration, healthcare, sales, and childcare, which was recently recognized nationwide as a model for successful labor market integration.
Court ruling: landlords can’t reject you because of your name
A landmark ruling from Germany’s Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has made one thing clear: landlords are not allowed to discriminate against flat-seekers based on their name.
The case involved Humaira Waseem from Hesse. After repeatedly being rejected for flats near Frankfurt, she sent identical applications – changing only her last name to German ones like Schneider or Schmidt. Suddenly, viewing invitations arrived. The difference? Just the name.
Lower courts already awarded Waseem €3,000 in compensation, and the BGH has now upheld that decision, calling it a clear case of discrimination. The court also confirmed that her approach of sending comparable test applications was lawful.
Germany’s Federal Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Ferda Ataman welcomed the ruling as a strong signal, but also pointed out a gap in the law: while discriminatory job ads are banned, housing ads are still not explicitly covered by the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).
The decision lines up with recent research from DeZIM, which found that people with non-German-sounding names receive fewer responses and viewing invitations – even when income and qualifications are identical.
All in all, discrimination in the housing market isn’t just unfair but actually illegal now and you as tenants have more laws protecting you.
Find more information here (in English).
Bonus:
In Partnership with finbird
It is our desire to bring our readers the best information about Munich — at zero cost to you. In keeping with this theme, we thank our partners for today’s newsletter. By just clicking the link below, you’ll support The Munich Post.
Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar on Unsplash
You want the buying process and financing basics—without the confusion. On February 17th (3 PM), Daniela from finbird breaks down the German home-buying journey in plain English: viewing to notary, financing to handover.
What we'll cover:
The Process:
Timeline from first viewing to getting keys: what happens at each stage
How the notary appointment works and why older properties can stall if seller documents are incomplete
What the land register check tells you before you commit
Financing Essentials:
What Munich banks ask for: employment status, residence permit, payslips, equity requirements
How down payments work and what percentage you actually need
Hidden costs in Bavaria: notary fees, land register, property transfer tax
Market Intelligence:
Local quirks: contested inner-city districts (Schwabing, Glockenbach) vs. better value in family areas (Pasing, Trudering, Gauting)
How to evaluate resale value and property age when deciding if something's a smart buy or a risk
2 upcoming events
Balloon World lands in Munich
From February 14 to April 12, Pineapple Park turns into a colorful, oversized globe made of air. Balloon Worlds brings together more than 500,000 biodegradable balloons across 3,000m², creating what’s billed as Europe’s largest balloon exhibition.
Expect a playful world tour with iconic landmarks, animals, hidden details to spot on every continent, and plenty of selfie moments. The exhibition was created by dozens of international balloon artists, including award-winning balloon artist Guido Verhoef, and is designed to impress visitors of all ages.
There’s also plenty for kids: a ball pit, balloon workshops, interactive zones, and even a VR ride (optional extra). Everything is made from natural latex, filled with air (not helium), and stays firmly indoors – no balloon releases here.
Plan around 1–2 hours for your visit and note that the last entry is at 6pm. The exhibition is fully accessible and suitable for all ages. Some things not allowed are: bringing your own food and paying with cash on site.
Find more information here (in German).
General information:
📍 Pineapple Park, Arnulfstraße 195, 80634 München
⏰ Saturday, Feb 14–Sunday, April 12
Tuesday to Friday: 2pm–7pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am–7pm
🎟️ Adults: 24.29 €, 18 € for Children aged 3–16 and Seniors aged 65+
Fasching in Munich: The big dates to know
Servus Munich. Fasching season is coming up and it’s packed. From parades and street parties to Weißwurst traditions and one legendary dance, carnival runs from this weekend until February 17, known as Shrove Tuesday.
We’re here to present you with some of the highlights so you don’t miss these key festive moments. Here’s our list:
Sunday, Feb 8, at 1:13pm
The Damische Ritter parade takes over the Old Town with marching bands, dance groups, historic costumes and chaos in the best way
Bonus: a full program on Marienplatz 10:30am–6:30pmThursday, Feb 12, from 2pm
Unsinniger Donnerstag (Nonsensical Thursday) at the ViktualienmarktFebruary 15–17
Munich Crazy hits the pedestrian zone with live music, performances, and open-air stages at Marienplatz and Stachus from Carnival Sunday through Shrove TuesdayTuesday, Feb 17 at 11pm
Dance of the Market Women at the Viktualienmarkt: The grand finale with colorful costumes, packed crowds, and peak Munich tradition
Also happening all season: The Schäffler Dance returns daily to public squares until Feb 17, a historic tradition dating back over 500 years.
When Shrove Tuesday chills hit, Munich’s Carnival fun moves indoors to colorful pub celebrations. Classic city-center spots like Hofbräuhaus, Augustiner am Platzl, Zum Franziskaner, and others host lively parties – including the famous Shrove Monday Weißwurst brunch, where sausages are served for just €1–2 before noon.
Find more information here (in German).
General information:
📍 Various parts of the city
⏰ February 8–17
🎟️ Many FREE with some ticketed options
Bonus:
We’d like to thank our second sponsor:
Bavarian International School (BIS) is offering the opportunity of a lifetime to a student. The non-profit private school is awarding a new, fully funded scholarship for Grades 9-12 starting in 2026-27. Talented, committed students can apply until 16 March 2026.
The new "Dr. Chrissie Sorenson Scholarship" is available to German or international children who are permanent residents of Germany and whose families can demonstrate financial need. Applicants should have very good academic performance, a high level of commitment and English, as well as making an outstanding personal impression overall.
The words of Isabella, the first BIS scholarship recipient, underscore the value of a scholarship: "The BIS scholarship really changed my life; it gave me self-confidence and enabled me to realise my dream. My time at BIS has advanced me academically and enabled me to develop holistically!"
Interested? Contact us via [email protected]!
1 new restaurant/café to try
Frau Vo
Craving bold, fresh flavors? Frau Vo brings Vietnam to the heart of Munich. Located in Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt, this family-run spot serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine that truly transports you straight to the streets of Hanoi and Saigon. From steaming pho classics to crisp shrimp summer rolls and the must-try Banh Mi specials, every dish is made with high-quality ingredients and a dash of passion.
Cozy vibes, friendly service, and authentic taste has made it a local favorite with a 4.9 rating on google maps.
General information:
📍 Maistraße 57, 80337 München
🥘 Vietnamese
⏰ Monday–Friday, 11:30am–8pm
Saturday, 12 Noon–8pm
Sunday, closed
Visit Frau Vo
Meme of the week 😂
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