It is frightening, how little tenants are protected from being kicked out by the landlord in the US. Are there major differences between the states?

In contrast to that, I believe tenants are too well protected in Europe, or at least Germany, from sitting out in the cold. For example, if a tenant has not paid rent in months (and is not planning on doing so) it still is legally difficult to put them on the street. I think the term for that is squatter?! Friend of mine had damage on his property exceeding €10k until he could regain control over his apartment/flat.