Zossen becomes a rental car hotspot: 19 companies based on Berlin's ban!

Rental car companies from Dahme-Spreewald move to Berlin. Illegal practices lead to controls and increasing applications.
Rental car companies from Dahme-Spreewald move to Berlin. Illegal practices lead to controls and increasing applications. (Symbolbild/NAG)

Zossen becomes a rental car hotspot: 19 companies based on Berlin's ban!

In the current location of the rental car industry, there is a lot in the Argen. The latest developments in Berlin and Brandenburg have caused media a stir, in particular the closure of 1700 rental cars by the State Office for Citizens' and Ordinary Matters (Labo) . This measure came into force after it was found that many vehicles were traveling with false or expired permits. But where are these blocked rental cars? They are now increasingly appearing in the surrounding area to still operate Berlin.

in cities such as Zossen, which have developed into a hotspot for rental car companies in the past two years, 19 providers are currently registered. This is more than generous than other places, especially since Zossen has the lowest trade tax in the entire district of Teltow-Fläming. A factor that makes the trade particularly attractive here.

A look at the numbers

The development of rental car companies in Zossen cannot be overlooked. On December 31, 2023, only 32 rental cars were registered in the district. Just a year later, in December 2024, this number rose to incredible 633 concessions. This fast increase is driven in particular by companies from Berlin who try to escape the strict controls.

Ort Number of rental car companies
zossen 19
Ludwigsfelde 10
Blankenfelde-Mahlow 5
Großerberer 1

This wave of new foundations is in the shade of a creeping threat. The Brandenburg district council sees a dangerous shift towards illegal practices and the "shadow economy" in the rental car sector. Many of the new providers have a dodgy history and came from Berlin, where they now want to make their shops more legitimate. According to reports of the

need for action at the authorities

Another setback shows itself in the currently overwhelmed personnel situation with the approval authorities in Brandenburg, which can no longer cope with the increase in applications. In some places, up to 85 new applications per week are already reported. This is alarming for the proper control of the industry, which has enabled it to disguise their practices and to avoid regulations.

A lively exchange is sought between the federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg, and on June 25, 2025, a round of advice between the Ministry of Transport, representatives from Berlin and the counties took place. It is required to build a common database to monitor the rental car companies in order to recognize illegal businesses more effectively, like n-tv reported.

The Minister of Transport Detlef Tabbert promises close cooperation with the Berlin authorities, even if the capacities are limited. The efforts of regular tax audits and the punishment of administrative offenses show the first progress, whereby an individual case is currently being checked.

Details
OrtZossen, Deutschland
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