Anyone planning on moving to Germany needs to know exactly how much it is going to cost to live there. Part of planning this exciting relocation will include calculating the average monthly cost, which will include such expenses as rent, utilities, food, transportation, and health insurance. The good news is that residents in Germany can enjoy a relatively low cost of living considering the standard of living in the country.
This page will provide a comprehensive overview of how much it should cost to live in Germany (for both students and non-students).
Please note: Prices given are approximately, can vary city to city. Also all values are in Euro
Is Germany expensive?
Generally speaking, Germany is not considered expensive, especially when compared to the average cost of living in Europe, although there are always exceptions to this, and what your budget must be will depend on where you are and your lifestyle requirements. Anyone looking for a self-contained apartment in the center of Munich will see their budget eaten up more quickly than someone looking to live in a flat-share in Berlin, for example.
What is the cost of living in Germany?
It would be hard to get by for less than €1,000 a month in Germany, and this rises to around €1,500€ – €2,000€ in the cities where rents are higher. Students can usually cover living costs for around €850 a month. Travel is fairly affordable, even in big cities, and food and drink prices are average for Europe.
What is the average cost of living in Germany?
The average monthly living expenses in Germany (for non-students) is around €1,200, but there are many factors which can affect this, especially location.
How do the costs come together?
The general, rough costs of living in Germany per month for a single person are as follows:
- Rent: from €300 (student halls or room in a shared flat) to €700+ (one-bed flat in city)
- Utilities: €220 (inc. internet, mobile & TV)
- Travel: from €0 (students) to around €100
- Food & Drink: €150 to €200
- Health insurance: €105 (rate for long-term care for students in a public health insurance provider. For others, it can be more, but can also be partially covered by your employer and come directly from your gross paycheck, if you’re employed)
- Going out: from €50 to €150 (depending on lifestyle)
- Other: €20
- Total: from €850 to €1,500
The cost of living in Germany for a couple who share accommodation is about 50% more than this.
How much would it cost to move to Germany?
Good to remember is that those who plan on relocating to Germany will need to factor in more than just the monthly costs at first. To rent an apartment, you normally need to pay a deposit in advance plus two or three months’ cold rent (Kaltmiete), which is the base rent without utilities and extra bills.
