Every six minutes, a burglary occurs somewhere in Germany. That figure sounds dramatic – and it is. The German Police Crime Statistics (Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik, PKS) published by the Federal Criminal Police Office for 2024 paints a sobering picture of the burglary situation in Germany. In this article, we analyse the most important figures, put them into context and show you what concrete conclusions you can draw for the protection of your home. Note: all figures presented here relate to Germany.
The situation at a glance: PKS 2024
The Police Crime Statistics is the most comprehensive statistical tool for recording crime in Germany. It is published annually by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and contains all criminal offences that have become known to the police. For the area of residential burglary, the PKS 2024 paints a picture that is both worrying and illuminating.
In the reporting year 2024, a total of 78,436 cases of residential burglary were recorded. This figure includes both completed burglaries and failed attempts. Compared with the historic low during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many people were permanently at home, a marked increase has been registered. The return to normal work and travel patterns has given burglars more opportunities once again – empty flats and houses during working hours and holiday periods.
The five most important key figures
To fully understand the burglary situation in Germany, it is worth looking at the five central key figures that shape the overall picture. Each of these figures has direct implications for your personal security strategy.
1. 78,436 registered residential burglaries. That is more than 214 burglaries per day, or just under 9 per hour. The dark figure is not included – criminologists assume that a not insignificant proportion of burglaries, particularly in cellars and outbuildings, are never reported.
2. 15.3 per cent clearance rate. Only about one in six burglaries is cleared up. That means: in over 84 per cent of cases, the perpetrator is never caught. Stolen valuables remain untraceable in the vast majority of cases.
3. €3,800 average damage. This amount covers both the value of the stolen items and the cost of repairs to forced doors, windows and locks. Not included are follow-on psychological costs such as therapy or the effort of moving house.
4. 46.3 per cent attempt rate. Almost half of all burglary attempts fail. This high figure is largely due to improved mechanical and electronic security technology – a clear signal that prevention works.
5. Only 12.8 per cent of households have an alarm system. This figure from the German Insurance Association (GDV) reveals a massive protection gap. Almost 90 per cent of all German households are without electronic intrusion protection.
Clearance rate: why the police are reaching their limits
A clearance rate of 15.3 per cent appears alarmingly low at first sight – and it is. Yet the reasons for it are complex and explain why prevention is so much more important than hoping for post-hoc criminal prosecution.
Residential burglars generally act professionally and leave few usable traces behind. Many burglaries are committed by organised gangs operating on the principle of travelling crime: they travel to a region, commit several burglaries within a few days and then disappear again. Without video recordings, DNA traces or fingerprints, the police often have no leads at all.
In addition, there is the personnel burden on police authorities. A single burglary case ties up considerable resources for forensics, witness interviews and investigative work. With more than 78,000 cases per year, capacities inevitably reach their limits. The police themselves therefore explicitly recommend investment in preventive security measures via the K-Einbruch.de initiative.
“The most effective intrusion protection is the one that prevents the burglary – not the one that solves it.” – German Police Crime Prevention
Financial damage: what a burglary really costs
The average material damage of €3,800 per burglary is only the tip of the iceberg. The GDV puts the annual total damage from residential burglaries at more than €350 million – a sum that ultimately also influences the insurance premiums of all policyholders.
But the financial damage is often not the worst. According to a study by the Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony, more than 70 per cent of burglary victims suffer from long-term psychological consequences. Sleep disorders, anxiety, a sense of vulnerability within one’s own four walls – these burdens cannot be quantified in euros, but often weigh more heavily than the material loss.
Families with children and older people are particularly affected. After a burglary, children often develop fears of being alone or of falling asleep. Older people not infrequently lose trust in their home and consider moving – a serious impact on their quality of life.
German federal states in comparison
The burglary burden is distributed very unevenly across Germany. Large cities and conurbations are significantly more affected than rural regions, although there are exceptions here too – particularly in areas close to the border.
| Region | Burglaries per 100,000 inhabitants | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 142 | slightly increasing |
| Hamburg | 158 | stable |
| Berlin | 134 | slightly increasing |
| Bremen | 167 | increasing |
| Bavaria | 48 | stable |
| Baden-Württemberg | 62 | slightly decreasing |
| Saxony | 54 | stable |
| Lower Saxony | 96 | slightly increasing |
The table reveals marked differences: while the burglary burden per 100,000 inhabitants in the city-states of Bremen and Hamburg is three times as high as in Bavaria, rural regions are by no means safe. Particularly along motorways and in border areas, burglary gangs operate that strike quickly and disappear just as quickly.
For residential clients in Franconia and the Nuremberg metropolitan area, this means: even though Bavaria is statistically better positioned, you should not lull yourself into false security. Proximity to the A3, A6 and A9 motorways makes the region attractive for travelling crime.
Only 12.8% with an alarm system – the protection gap
One of the perhaps most startling figures does not come from crime statistics, but from the German Insurance Association: only 12.8 per cent of all German households have an electronic intrusion detection system. In neighbouring countries such as the Netherlands (32%) or the United Kingdom (29%), the rate is significantly higher – and burglary numbers are correspondingly lower.
The reasons for this protection gap are manifold. Many households underestimate the cost of professional security technology or believe that a burglary “will not happen to them”. Others have outdated, purely mechanical security measures that can no longer withstand modern burglary methods.
Yet the figures show clearly: properties with professional security technology are over 80 per cent less likely to become the target of a successful burglary. Statistically, the investment in an alarm system pays for itself within a few years – quite apart from the priceless feeling of security. Many insurers also offer discounts on household insurance when a certified intrusion detection system is installed.
46.3% remain at the attempted stage – technology works
Perhaps the most encouraging figure from the PKS 2024 is the attempt rate of 46.3 per cent. Almost half of all registered burglary cases remained at the attempt stage – that is, the burglar could not complete their intentions. In the vast majority of cases, they failed due to technical security measures: burglar-resistant windows, reinforced doors, alarm systems or surveillance cameras.
This figure confirms what security experts and the police have been emphasising for years: prevention works. Burglars are usually opportunistic offenders who follow the principle of least resistance. If a property is visibly secured, they look for an easier target. According to police findings, most burglars give up after three to five minutes at the latest if they cannot enter the building.
Particularly effective is the combination of visible deterrence and technical protection. A clearly visible exterior camera, an alarm system sticker and burglar-resistant windows signal to the potential offender from outside: this property is protected. Learn more about effective intrusion protection with active deterrence on our services page.
What do these figures mean for you?
The burglary statistics 2025 can be summarised in three central insights that are of importance for every property owner and tenant:
Firstly: you cannot rely on the police. With a clearance rate of only 15.3 per cent, the probability of getting stolen items back is vanishingly small. Prevention is the only reliable protection.
Secondly: technology demonstrably works. The attempt rate of 46.3 per cent proves that security technology prevents burglaries. The better your property is secured, the lower the risk.
Thirdly: most households are unprotected. With only 12.8 per cent alarm coverage, Germany is at the bottom of the European league. That also means: if you invest in security technology, you clearly stand out from the crowd and disproportionately reduce your risk.
We at Protexium Security recommend taking the first step with a free security analysis. Our security consultants assess your property, identify weak points and develop a concept precisely tailored to your situation. Take a look at our References as well, to see how other customers have successfully secured their homes.
Even without a professional alarm system, you can immediately lower your burglary risk: always close windows and doors completely (even tilted windows are open windows for burglars), simulate presence using timer switches and inform trusted neighbours when you are away.
