Germany is home to the second-largest Indian community in Europe, second only to the UK, and hosting around 18% of the entire diaspora on the continent. As an Indian, there are a few practical things you need to get sorted before coming to Germany. For example, how to find an apartment as an Indian. Besides, you need to have an idea of German living costs to plan your budget in advance.
Throughout recent years, prices have been rising in all of Europe. Germany has been no exception, too, despite its stable and resilient economy and social welfare. It is especially true in the following three areas—housing, food, energy, and transportation costs. But don’t worry; even though the cost of living in Germany has gone up, it still remains one of the most attractive and welcoming countries for immigration for Indians.
So, how much does it cost to live in Germany? Here are the main expense items you should consider when calculating :
- Groceries and eating out;
- Rent;
- Insurance and social contributions;
- Phone bills;
- Clothes;
- Transportation;
- Education, including kindergartens, schools, and universities.
Naturally, the costs will differ depending on the region; for example, the cost of living in Berlin will definitely be higher than in Bochum. Similarly, the cost of living in Germany for a single person will be considerably lower than for a family. In this article, we will break down prices in Germany and cover the average salary range in the country. You will also find out how much an average person spends in a month living in Germany.
What is a good salary in Germany?
In Germany, the standard of living is generally pretty high, and the salaries in the country meet that standard as well. Of course, the income you make depends on where you are in the country and what industry you’re in. But does the average cost of living in Germany of 1300-3200 euros per month match the salaries? We compared the average monthly pay you could have living in different German cities:
| City | Monthly salary |
|---|---|
| Cologne | 3400 euros |
| Munich | 3800 euros |
| Berlin | 3800 euros |
| Stuttgart | 3700 euros |
| Hamburg | 3500 euros |
| Frankfurt | 4700 euros |
| Bremen | 4000 euros |
These estimated numbers can give you an overall picture of a good salary in Germany. Compared to the highest average salary in Uttar Pradesh of 21000 INR/month (232 EUR), the German wages seem very attractive. Many Indians decide to move to Europe due to higher pay, giving them an opportunity to support their families back home. Sounds familiar? With Profee, you can send money to India with minimal commission and no hidden fees. Profee is a European money transfer service designed to provide the best exchange rates for your international remittances. Your transfers are completely secure and arrive fast. Try it out today!
German food prices
Your lifestyle choices, location, and family size will influence the amount of money you spend on food and groceries. According to recent data from Numbeo, the cost of living in Germany for a single person food-wise is around €200-250 a month. It is relatively low compared to other European countries. For example, you would spend €300/month in France or €300-500/month in the Netherlands per person. And that is because Germany doesn’t strongly rely on imported goods and is big on food production.
If you’re trying to be on a budget, opt for affordable supermarkets like Edeka, Aldi, Kaufland, Lidl, and Rewe that will help lower your cost of living in Germany. While they provide reasonably-priced groceries, the food quality stays excellent. Besides, these supermarket chains often offer generous discounts, enabling you to buy in bulk. There are also plenty of Indian and Asian supermarkets around the country where you can find products you normally wouldn’t see in regular stores.
Let’s find out the average German food prices in the supermarkets mentioned above:
Bread: from 1 euro;
1 kg of basmati rice: about 3 euros;
Chicken breast fillet: 7-7.6 euros per kg;
1 kg of potatoes: 1.3-1.6 euros;
1 litre of milk: about 1 euro;
1 kg of bananas: up to 1.6 euros;
Apples: 2.3-2.5 euros per kg;
Eggs: 2-2.5 euros per dozen;
A can of German beer: 65 euro cents.
Prices in Germany: restaurants, cafes, and street food
Just like with groceries, the amount of money you can spend on eating out is heavily influenced by your preferences, needs, and the number of family members you have. Having meals in restaurants and cafes is a big part of German culture. Check the table below to learn what to expect when eating out at an averagely-priced cafe:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Main dish | 11 euros |
| Dinner or a three-course lunch | 24 euros |
| A German beer | 3.5 euros |
| A cocktail | 9 euros |
| A glass of wine | 4.6 euros |
| A Margherita pizza | 12 euros |
| Lasagna | 12 euros |
| Spaghetti Bolognese | 10 euros |
| A cappuccino | 3 euros |
| A piece of pastry | 1-2 euros |
Germany is also famous for its delicious international street food. If you’re trying to lower your cost of living in Germany, we recommend checking out street food options. Despite the diversity, there are two main street foods loved by everyone—currywurst and döner kebab. Check out food markets and festivals, or simply use Google Maps to find the closest option. A standard portion of currywurst will cost you around 3-5 euros, and a döner kebab is around 4-6 euros.
With all the data combined, the cost of food in Germany per day can range from €15 to €50 per individual. Once again, it depends on your needs and what city you live in. Putting some saving tips into practice could help you reduce the minimal amount even more, especially if you tend not to eat out often.
Average rent in Germany. Comparison
Rent is perhaps the biggest expense item regarding the cost of living in Germany. There are several factors affecting the rent prices, with location, type of accommodation, and amenities being among the major ones. Let’s see what the average rent in Germany looks like in the largest cities:
Munich—1000-1350 euros;
Hamburg—800-1100 euros;
Cologne—650-950 euros;
Frankfurt—850-1150 euros;
Stuttgart—750-1250 euros;
Berlin—from 1100-1400 euros and up. The cost of living in Berlin is the highest in all of Germany.
Transportation. Prices in Germany
Germany is known for its highly developed and efficient transportation system. Although it is not as expensive as in some other European countries, it is not a cheap one either. Here’s a breakdown of potential transportation costs when living in Germany:
| A car | Owning a car in Germany can be very pricey due to motor vehicle tax. With parking, fuel (an average cost is from 1.7 euros per litre), insurance, and maintenance costs added, it is often not worth owning a car, especially in a big city. |
| Public transport | A single ticket for a bus, metro, or tram will cost around 2.5-3.5 euros, while a monthly pass typically ranges from 60 to 100 euros. It is also worth looking into annual subscriptions. |
| Taxi | An initial charge, that is, simply ordering a taxi and getting in, is around 3.5-5 euros. The rate per kilometre can start from 1.5-2.5 euros. A five-kilometre taxi ride during regular hours might range from €15 to €25 |
As you can see, the cost of living in Germany is substantially affected by transportation costs. However, there are ways to get around the city with less expenses. For example, you can use a bike-sharing service or purchase a second-hand bicycle for 40-500 euros. Germany is an extremely bicycle-friendly country, providing a safe and convenient environment for cyclists.
Phone bills and health insurance
The typical mobile phone rates for 24-month contracts in Germany vary between €15 and €30. However, by utilising your existing phone or purchasing a second-hand device and opting for a SIM-only contract, you can bring down the cost to approximately €10 to €15.
In Germany, the standard of living is high when it comes to medical services, too. Health insurance is mandatory for all German citizens. There are two types: statutory and private health insurance. It can vary between 100 to 500 euros per month or more. If your gross income is below a threshold of 4,987 euros per month, you are eligible for the first type.
To sum up, the average cost of living in Germany is pretty high. However, social benefits, affordable medicine, and quality education make it worth it. We hope this article gave you an idea about prices in Germany and what expense items you should be prepared for.
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