Break-Ins in Berlin: The 2025 Numbers and How to Protect Yourself?

If you've been following the news lately, you might have noticed some worrying headlines about burglaries in Berlin. The numbers from the Berlin police paint a concerning picture: residential burglaries have jumped by approximately 21-30% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Whether you're renting an apartment in Kreuzberg or own a house in Zehlendorf, this trend affects all of us.

The Numbers: how bad is it really?

Let's start with the facts. Berlin recorded somewhere between 3,726 and 4,617 burglaries in the first six months of 2025. What's particularly concerning is that this wasn't just a bad month or two—five out of six months showed consistent increases compared to 2024.

Burglaries by District (January–June 2025):

As you can see, some districts have been hit much harder than others. Surprisingly, only Neukölln bucked the trend with a decrease.

Why pay attention now? The "Dark Season" factor
The months of November, December, and January are traditionally the busiest time for burglars.

The 4 PM Danger Zone: It gets dark while many of you are still at work or picking up kids. A dark house at 5 PM signals an empty home.
The Holiday Window: As the holidays approach, many Berliners travel to visit family, leaving apartments empty for days at a time.
Organized Groups: Police report that professional groups often travel to the city specifically for this season, scouting neighborhoods for easy targets.

What should you be looking out for?

Here's the thing about burglars: they're looking for easy targets. While they work quickly and try to stay discreet, there are some warning signs that your building or neighborhood might be getting attention from the wrong people.

Warning signs to watch for:

The "Plastic Clip" Trick: Burglars may place a tiny clear plastic clip, a piece of paper, or a thin glue thread between your door and its frame. If they return 24 hours later and it’s still there, they know the door hasn't been opened—and the apartment is empty.
Buzzer Testing: Be wary if your doorbell rings and the person claims "Post" or "wrong buzzer" but has no delivery. They may be checking who is home at what times.
Markings: Look for small chalk symbols or scratches near mailboxes or doorbells. These are codes used by thieves to mark houses as "empty during the day" or "has a dog."
Strangers loitering around building entrances with no clear purpose

How can you protect yourself?

Your Prevention Plan:

You don’t need a fortress to be safe. Most burglars are looking for the path of least resistance. Make your home the "hard target" with these simple steps:

The "Tilt" trap: Never leave windows tilted (auf Kipp) when you leave, even for 15 minutes. To a professional, a tilted window is an open window.
Lock, don’t just pull: Simply pulling the door shut isn't enough. Always lock your door properly with your key.
Team up with neighbors: A full mailbox is a strong sign that your apartment might be empty. If possible, ask a neighbor to empty it while you are away. Even better? Ask them to water your plants. This small activity creates movement and shows that the apartment is being watched.

Official police resources

If you want professional help, the Berlin Police offer a free service in which officers come to your home to identify weak spots.

Service: Beratungsstelle Einbruchschutz (Burglary Protection Advisory Center)
Phone: (030) 4664 979999
Address: Platz der Luftbrücke 5, 12101 Berlin
‍Email: einbruchschutz@polizei.berlin.de
Interactive Guide: You can also check the police initiative K-Einbruch.de for an interactive house showing where to reinforce windows and doors.

The safety net: Your Household Insurance

In Germany, your belongings aren't automatically protected if someone breaks in. You need Hausratversicherung (household insurance) for that. This covers your furniture, electronics, clothing, and valuables against burglary, robbery, vandalism, fire, water damage, and storms.

But here's what many people don't realize: not all policies are created equal, and the details matter.

What do you need to do to get compensated in case of an incident?
Is your coverage amount good enough?
What's the maximum payout for jewelry, cash, or electronics?

Get in touch, and we will be happy to help you find the plan that makes the most sense for your personal situation or check if your current plan makes sense.
You can read more about Household insurance here.

Stay safe this Holiday Season

We hope this information helps you feel more prepared and secure in your home. The rise in statistics is a reminder to be vigilant. By keeping your eyes open for warning signs and securing your home before you travel for the holidays, you are already safer than the statistics.

We wish you a safe, cozy, and worry-free holiday season. If you are unsure about your current coverage or want a quick check-up before the holidays, just send us a message. We are here to help.

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Break-ins in Berlin: The 2025 numbers and how to protect yourself

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