Germany’s history, culture, infrastructure and low crime rate make it an attractive country to live in. Germany is the world’s seventh largest economy, with renowned companies like Volkswagen, BMW, Siemens and BASF greatly assisting in helping Germany achieve that position.
If you are considering moving to Germany, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this country.
Quick German Facts:
- Population: 84,379,978 (2022 estimate)
- Official Language:German is an official language, and the majority (95%) of the population speak German as their first language. In eastern parts of Germany, minority languages such as Sorbian are spoken. Around 10,000 people speak North Frisian in Nordfriesland.
- GDP Per Capita:$50,802 USD
- Parks: Germans adore the great outdoors and there are sixteen beautiful national parks with seamless mountain ranges, woodlands, rivers, and coastal zones which attract millions of tourists annually.
- Currency: Euro (€). As of September 2022, £1 = $1.09, €1 = $0.97, $1 CAD = $0.73, $1 AUD = $0.65
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Germany
The table below shows sample shipping container costs to Germany from various other countries around the world.
2. Germany Housing Costs
Just under 50% of Germans own their homes. This rate is predicted to increase to 50.20% by 2023.
Monthly Rental Prices in Germany
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: €870 – €1,111
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: €623 – €885
- 3 bedroom apartment in City Centre: €1,591 – €1,699
- 3 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: €1,182 – €1,378
- Price per square meter to buy in City Centre: €6,753 – €7,600
- Price per square meter to buy outside the city: €4,786 – €5,200
Germany Housing Cost Comparison
This is how rents in Germany compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 13.87 % more expensive
United States is 94.2% more expensive
Australia is 41.24% more expensive
Singapore is 175.00% more expensive
France is 2.73% cheaper
UAE is 36.94% cheaper
Spain is 17.47% cheaper
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect room or flatmate: Erasmusu, Roommaster, and Facebook.
- Different regions – different prices. The housing costs in different provinces vary considerably. They also vary within provinces from city to city and also within different neighborhoods in the same city. Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Hamburg are some of the most expensive city to buy property in. Berlin, Brandenburg, and Bavaria are surprisingly substantially cheaper areas to live.
3. Germany Food, Grocery, and Restaurant Costs
Germany used to have extremely bad reputation on the food front but Germany’s mouthwatering hams and sausages, together with their beer, are now some of its drawcards. The international community in Germany has also ensured that there are restaurant and groceries to suit all palates. The quality of fruit and vegetables, especially in the spring and summer is outstanding.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: €12 – €15
- Takeout Coffee: €94 – €2.97
- Bottle of Coke: €85 – €2.47
- 1L of milk: €97 – €1.13
- Loaf of Bread: €1.61 – €72
- 12 Eggs: €52 – € 3.29
- 1kg Chicken Fillets: €5.17 – €45
- 1kg Beef: €07– €15.27
- 1kg Apples: €45 – €2.56
- 1kg White Rice: €97 – €2.05
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.
- UK restaurants are 17.64% more expensive, and groceries are 5.51% cheaper than in Germany.
- United States restaurants are 33.76% more expensive, and groceries are 54.32% more expensive than in Germany.
- Australian restaurants are 21.52% more expensive, and groceries are 51.16% more expensive than in Germany.
- Singapore restaurants are 8.01% more expensive, and groceries are 48.89% more expensive than in Germany.
- French restaurants are 19.99% more expensive, and groceries are 29.92% more expensive than in Germany.
- UAE restaurants are 6.78% more expensive, and groceries are 3.45% more expensive than in Germany.
- Spanish restaurants are 7.26% cheaper, and groceries are 18.75% cheaper than in Germany.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants, and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Germany has a diverse range of delicious foods. Many farmers’ markets are selling great fresh produce in most areas within Germany. There are also excellent health food stores that sell organic foods. Popular supermarkets in Germany are Kaufland, Lidl, Penny, Norma, and ALDI node.
- Find Cheap Eats:Germany offers the best fast food and cheap eats, including bluetten, Vietnamese noodles, and currywurst. You can find some good restaurants that offer specials on various days of the week. Have a look at the following sites for suggestions – Hanwest, Thai park, Tadim restaurant, and Pazzi X Pizza.
4. German Alcohol Costs
Alcohol and liquor are incredibly cheap in Germany, and delicious home brewed herbal liqueurs are also available at local markets. Strangely enough, you’ll find that bottled water is often more expensive than beer in Germany.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €50 – €3.75
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: €50 – €5.10
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €90 – €4.10
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €80 – €4.30
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €50 – €320.75
How to drink for less in Germany
- Keep an eye on the local papers and flyers for cheap drinks, either in supermarkets or in bars, clubs, and restaurants
- Buy a whole bottle of wine rather than glasses individually when you are drinking with friends
- You can buy pitchers if you drink with a few friends
- Have a look at the following sites for more tips on where to go to save money on a night out – Barbarabar, Freundlich, Hoersaal, and Roschinskys.
5. Germany Transportation Fares
Most German cities and towns have an excellent public transportation systems. You can use the modern urban metro system, high-speed trains, clean buses, and modern trams in most German cities. Traveling around the country is exceptionally easy with its great Autobahn and road system. The taxis are relatively expensive, but it is super easy to hire cars in Germany.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- Adult Single – €80 – €3.05
- Monthly season ticket, unlimited – €00 – €75.00
- Taxi Start (normal tariff) – €50 – €3.75
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff) – €00 – €2.50
How to save money on public transport
- Buy a ‘strip ticket’ or four tickets at once. It save around €2.5 per ticket
- Get Probe Bahn Card for three months
- If you want to stay more than three months in Germany, buy a full-fledged Bahn Card
- Advance purchase fairs are lower than normal rates
- Walking is also a good option for short distances, especially within cities
6. Cost of Internet in Germany
Germany has amazing internet service, and most of the packages are super affordable. Vodafone, Telecom, Easy, and 1&1 are the most dominant service providers in the country. Here are some sample internet prices from September 2022 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym, and Leisure
Germany is located in the center of Europe. The climate is characterised by warm summers with maximum temperatures around 23-26 C degrees and cold winters with 0 C degrees average temperatures. Germany enjoys an average of 1,544 sunshine hours per year.
Munich has been ranked the third Most Liveable City in the World. Berlin, Erlangen, Karlsruhe, and Frankfurt are also great cities with perfect weather conditions.
Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: €77 – €91
- Summer Dress: €34- €36
- Running Shoes (Trainers): €81- €95
- Business Shoes: €106- €128
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): €38
- Deodorant: €2- €3
- Shampoo: €2 – €3
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): €2
- Gym membership: €31- €42 per month
- Movie (cinema) ticket: €10- €12
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Germany
The motorway or Autobahn system in Germany is the longest road system in the world, covering over 8,000 miles (12,993 kms). Germans drive extremely fast but well.
Foreigners from EU countries have an easy time in Germany. They can drive a motor vehicle with a valid foreign driving license, as long as you have not taken up residency in Germany. However, non-EU countries driving licences are only valid for six months. After that time you’ll need to contact contact your local Führerscheinstelle (driver licensing agency) or Bürgeramt (register office) in order to replace your existing licence with a German one.
The international driving permit is valid for all vehicle categories indicated in your license.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Germany:
- Volkswagen Golf:€24,999
- 1 liter (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):€2.17
- Other fees (if any):The average cost of owning and running a car in Germany is €2400 per annum
Source: Numbeo, Russianvagabond
Ways to save money driving in Germany
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld, balabalcar, Uber, and Sharenow
- Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Taxi ring and Achim.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Germany? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping
9.Taxes in Germany
Hundreds of people move to Germany every year to find work and start a new life which they hope will lead to prosperity. Once you enter the country and register with the German Citizen’s Office (Buergeramt) you’ll receive a tax ID number within 14 days. The employer will use this number for your remuneration and calculate the required tax that you must pay. To learn more about the German tax system, go to the worldwide Tax Summaries.
Sales tax in Germany varies from 7% to 19%. If you own your property, you will be subject to property tax based on the type of property. Learn more about property tax in Germany at this website.
10. Flight Costs from Germany
If you do make a move to Germany, here’s how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities from Berlin based on the lowest one-way fares from Skyscanner as of late 2022:
- London: €88
- Paris: €78
- New York: €379
- Los Angeles: €558
- Dubai: €547
- Sydney: €875
- Melbourne: €905
- Cape Town: €601
- Hong Kong: €888
Other Germany Relocation Tips
The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Germany, but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Germany Alone
Moving is always stressful, but moving on your own can be exceptionally difficult. Thankfully Germany is a country that is safe and welcomes newcomers. Here are a few tips about settling in Germany.
- Meetups:Germany has many Meetup groups covering various activities, from skiing to fine dining.
- Attend local events: You can enjoy the diverse range of entertainment and cultural activities every month in Germany. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Culture trip, Entertainment, Outlook Traveler, and Mozart Fest.
12. Moving to Germany with a Family
Germany is considered a great place to raise kids and is ranked seventh in the world for raising a family. Moving to Germany has many benefits – superb health care, education system, and career opportunities.
- New parents (or parents to be):Check out mom to mum and Germans for moms for advice, courses, and ways to meet other parents or parents-to-be.
- Live in a family-friendly area:Find the best family-friendly region and area to live in at Travelynnfamily.
- Find things to do with the kids:Germany has lots for children to do. Have a look at the following website for inspiration – Zooberlin, Phantasialand, and The Story of Berlin.
13. Moving to Germany for Work
Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you move.
Germans enjoy a great work-life balance due to shorter working hours than most countries. Also, Germany has a strong economy and is particularly good for IT specialists, skilled labourers, electrical engineers, admin staff, HR specialists, medical staff and project managers.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary:Salaries in Germany vary considerably with job position, and the average annual salary is between €64,00 – €81,000. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to be made to make a move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Germany but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Indeed, Jobmensa, and Stellenanzeigen.
14. Moving to Germany from Australia
Roughly 26,000 Aussies are living in Germany. Those that have emigrated to Germany say they love the balanced lifestyle and the countryside. If you are thinking of moving from Australia to Germany, here are a few things to consider.
- Size comparison:Australia is approximately 2,068% times bigger than Germany but Germany has has 63 million more residents than Australia.
- Join expat groups: Internations and Meetup offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Germany.
15. Moving to Germany from the United States
The 300,000 – 400,000 Americans are living in Germany. If you’re considering joining them and here are a few things to consider.
- Size: United States is 2,654% larger than Germany and its population is almost three times the size. That may make Germany seem crowded.
- Expat groups:Meeting up with fellow Americans helps the moving process. Link up through sites such as Internations and Meetup.
16. Moving to Germany from the United Kingdom
Germany is a highly attractive destination for UK citizens. High salaries, fewer taxes, and a good work-life balance encourage people to move. British people can enjoy a great lifestyle in Germany. So if you’re considering joining them, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: Germany is 47% larger than the UK, with a population of 83.4 million people
- Expat groups:If you want to get together with others from the UK who enjoy everything Germany offers, then go to Internations and Meetup.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If you want to start pricing out how much it will cost to move to Germany, you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
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