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Zossen becomes a rental car hotspot: 19 companies after Berlin's ban!
Rental car companies from Dahme-Spreewald are relocating to Berlin. Illegal practices lead to controls and increasing applications.
Zossen becomes a rental car hotspot: 19 companies after Berlin's ban!
There is a lot going on in the current situation in the rental car industry. The latest developments in Berlin and Brandenburg have attracted media attention, in particular the blocking of 1,700 rental cars by the Berlin State Office for Civil and Regulatory Affairs (Labo). This measure came into force after it was discovered that many vehicles were traveling with incorrect or expired permits. But where are these blocked rental cars? They are now increasingly appearing in the surrounding areas in order to continue to serve Berlin.
In cities like Zossen, which have developed into a hotspot for rental car companies in the last two years, there are currently 19 registered providers. This is more than generous compared to other places, especially since Zossen has the lowest trade tax in the entire Teltow-Fläming district. A factor that makes the business here particularly attractive.
A look at the numbers
The development of rental car companies in Zossen cannot be overlooked. As of December 31, 2023, only 32 rental cars were registered in the district. Just one year later, in December 2024, that number rose to an incredible 633 concessions. This rapid increase is being driven in particular by companies from Berlin trying to evade the strict controls.
| Location | Number of rental car companies |
|---|---|
| Zossen | 19 |
| Ludwigsfelde | 10 |
| Blankenfelde-Mahlow | 5 |
| Bigberries | 1 |
However, this wave of start-ups is overshadowed by 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 shady history and came from Berlin, where they now want to make their business more legitimate. According to reports, a clear intervention is the RBB urgently needed to stop this development.
Need for action by the authorities
Another setback can be seen in the currently overwhelmed personnel situation at the approval authorities in Brandenburg, which can no longer cope with the increase in applications. In some places, up to 85 new applications are reported per week. This is alarming for the proper control of the industry, which has enabled it to obscure its practices and avoid regulations.
A lively exchange is sought between the federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg, and a consultation session took place on June 25, 2025 between the Ministry of Transport, representatives from Berlin and the districts. There are calls for a common database to be set up to monitor rental car companies in order to identify illegal businesses more effectively n-tv reported.
Transport Minister Detlef Tabbert promises close cooperation with the Berlin authorities, even if capacities are limited. Efforts to carry out regular audits and punish administrative offenses are showing initial progress, although one individual case is currently still being reviewed.