May 30, 2025, 12:33 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Before taking the big step of relocating, many people would likely welcome the chance to try living in a new place without commitment. A city in eastern Germany is now officially offering this opportunity. Learn more about the details and background of this unique project at TRAVELBOOK.
The city describes itself as “the ideal place to make plans”—after all, they are well-versed in “iron, steel, and visions.” Have you figured it out? The initiative is backed by Eisenhüttenstadt. At first glance, the city from the GDR era inviting people for a free stay might seem curious. However, the idea has a serious and far-reaching background.
Overview
Why Eisenhüttenstadt Offers Free Stays
The initiative “Jetzt-Pläne-Schmieden” is aimed, according to the city, at both those wishing to return and people looking to start anew. Commuters are also targeted. The non-binding trial living offers the opportunity to test everyday life in Eisenhüttenstadt. Ideally, the participants will then decide to move there permanently—this would be in line with the planned city’s goals.
As you can learn from the city’s online presence, Eisenhüttenstadt is “the first entirely planned and organized city foundation of the GDR.” After its founding in 1950, the socialist model city bore the name Stalinstadt for more than ten years. The backdrop of the area monument, which was more than suitable for the film “The Silent Revolution” (2018), is now a popular excursion destination. However, few want to stay.
Eisenhüttenstadt’s Population Decline Over the Years
In other words, Eisenhüttenstadt wants to attract new residents with free stays. Since reunification, the population has more than halved. Today, according to the registration office, about 24,000 people live in the city in the Oder-Spree district. Various circumstances have contributed to this, including job cuts at the steel mill. Young people, in particular, are leaving due to a lack of prospects, leading to an aging population—the statistics show a so-called death surplus. Securing skilled workers is a major concern for Eisenhüttenstadt.
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Details of the Initiative
The initiative could succeed in binding more (trained) residents to Eisenhüttenstadt. A model is the nearby town of Guben, 28 kilometers away, which has already attracted new residents several times with similar programs. According to a report by rbb, last year, 10 out of 16 trial residents stayed permanently in the city.
Interested parties can apply for a free stay in Eisenhüttenstadt until July. The exact number of available spots and the selection criteria are not known. The chosen ones will be allowed to live for 14 days free of charge in a furnished apartment. Additionally, they can participate in various activities, such as city tours or company visits. TRAVELBOOK wanted to know from the city administration what exactly the process will look like; also, how many applications have already been received and who exactly operates the accommodations. A response is still pending.